Activities
(1) Collect some news stories related to the celebration of national days from
different newspapers, and paste them on the bulletin board of your classroom.
(2) What can be the slogans for International Women’s Day? Discuss among your
friends and prepare a list of any five slogans.
(3) Discuss among your friends and make a list of any four effective ways to
celebrate each of our national days.
Exercise
(1) Write very short answers to the following questions.
(a) What do you mean by national days?
(b) How should we observe our national days?
(c) Who are martyrs? Mention the significance of Martyrs’ Day.
(d) Why do people observe Constitution Day in our country?
(e) What is the significance of the celebration of Children’s Day?
(2) Write short answers to the following questions.
(a) Write the importance of democracy day.
(b) Why is March 8 observed as International Women’s Day every year?
(c) If you are given an opportunity to present your opinion on child rights, what
arguments will you present? Mention in four points.
(d) There is a general trend of giving public holidays during national days. Are
you satisfied with this trend? If not what can be done to observe our national
days effectively according to the spirit of the day? Write your ideas in four
points.
(e) Prepare a list of any two slogans suitable for each of the national days given
in the lesson.
(f) If you are going to take part in an oratory competition on the topic, “It is the
right of every labourer to get wages according to his or her labour”, what
arguments will you present? Mention in four points.
Project Work
Prepare a dialogue based on your experience of celebrating democracy day
or any national days.
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Lesson
3.6 International Personalities
Engage Yourself
Have you heard about famous international personalities such as Martin Luther King,
Kailash Satyarthi, Nelson Mandela, and Malala Yousafzai? What are their contributions
for the sake of humankind, nation and the world? Kailash Satyarthi and Martin Luther
King are prominent international personalities. Millions of people respect them for their
noble deeds and invaluable service towards humanity.
(1) Why should we study the biographies of great national and international personalities?
Are there such great personalities in your locality or district too?
(2) Who are Kailash Satyarthi and Martin Luther King? What are their contributions for
human society? What inspiration can we get from their biographies?
There are a number of people who have made a significant contribution for the sake
of humankind, nation, and the world. They are called international personalities.
Millions of people revere them for their noble deeds and invaluable service towards
humanity. Their contribution benefits, and provides encouragement and inspiration
to all the people in the world. They have made praiseworthy contributions in the
field of science, technology, development, or social welfare. We can get numerous
inspirational lessons by reading their biographies. Here is a brief description of
such eminent international personalities.
Kailash Satyarthi
Kailash Satyarthi is a prominent child rights activist of India. He was born on 11th
January, 1954 AD in Vidisha district of Madhya Pradesh in India. His real name is
Kailash Sharma. He has been a tireless advocate of children’s rights for over three
decades. He is a renowned global campaigner for children’s rights. Through his
‘Bachpan Bachao Andolan’ (Save the Childhood Movement), he
has liberated more than 87,000 labourers of 144 countries from
exploitation and developed a successful model for their education
and rehabilitation.
Kailash Satyarthi is the second Indian Honouree of the Nobel Peace
Prize after Mother Teresa.
Works Kailash Satyarthi
Kailash Satyarthi holds a degree in Electrical Engineering and a postgraduate
diploma. Soon after the completion of his education, for a brief period, Kailash
Satyarthi took up teaching engineering in Bhopal. However, he left his teaching
job to be a catalyst for social change. He started his work for children’s rights as
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the General Secretary of ‘Bonded Labour Liberation Front’. It is an organisation
working to free bonded labourers. With the help of other NGOs and activists, he
started carrying out raids on factories, plants, and industries that were forcing
children to work as bonded labourers.
In 1980 AD, he started the Bachpan Bachao Andolan. It is India’s largest movement
for the protection of children that works with law enforcement agencies and
policymakers to strengthen the system. It is one of the world’s largest organisations
to eradicate child labour and trafficking. It has over 80,000 members, and some
750 organisations are associated with it.
During the 1990s, Satyarthi joined the International Centre on Child Labour and
Education – an international group of NGOs, activists, teachers and corporates,
strengthening his fight against forced labour and child trafficking. He has also
been involved with the Global March against Child Labour and its international
advocacy body, the International Centre on Child Labour and Education (ICCLE),
which are worldwide unions of NGOs, teachers and trade unionists. He has also
served as the President of the Global Campaign for Education from its inception in
1999 to 2011 AD, having been one of its four founders alongside Action Aid, Oxfam,
and Education International.
Satyarthi established Good Weave International (formerly known as Rugmark)
as the first voluntary labelling, monitoring, and certification system of rugs
manufactured without the use of child labour in South Asia. He travelled to Europe
and America to create consumers’ awareness and publicise the objectives of the
campaign. Besides this, he also made a global appeal to fight against ignorance,
poverty, unemployment, social problems, and population growth.
He was a founder of the Global Campaign for Education, the worldwide civil society
movement, which works to end the global education crisis. He has been a member
of UNESCO body established with the goal of providing “Education for All’ and
has been the board member of the Fast Track Initiate (now known as the Global
Partnership for Education). He serves on the board and committee of several
international organisations, including the Centre for Victims of Torture (USA),
International Labour Rights Fund (USA) and International Cocoa Foundation. In
this way, following the tradition of Mahatma Gandhi, Satyarthi has launched a
peaceful struggle to stop children from being exploited as labour instead of attending
school. He has also contributed to the development of international conventions on
the rights of children.
Recognition and Awards
Kailash Satyarthi, together with Malala Yousafzai, an activist from Pakistan, was
awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014 AD “for his struggle against the suppression
of children and young people and for the right of all children to education.” Besides
this, he has also been awarded many other prestigious awards such as Santokhba
Humanitarian Award in 2018 AD, Honouris Causa in Science, Amity University
(2018-India), Personality of the Decade by Dainik Prayukti (2018), and Guinness
World Record for Largest Child Safe Guarding Lesson (2017 AD). He has also
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received awards and honours such as P.C Chandra Puraskaar (2017 AD), Harvard’s
University Award “Humanitarian of the Year”(2015 AD), recognised in the list of
“Heroes Acting to End Modern Day Slavery” by the US State Department (2007
AD), Golden Flag Award (1988-Netherlands), Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights
Award (1995- US), and many more.
Dr. Martin Luther King
Martin Luther King, Jr. was born in Atlanta, America in a family of preachers on
January 15, 1929 AD. A preacher is someone who talks about a religious subject
in a public place, especially at a church. His father was a Baptist minister, and his
mother was a schoolteacher. He was originally named Michael Luther King. He
was one of America’s greatest leaders. King became famous around the world in
the 1960s. In 1955 AD, he became Dr. Martin Luther King when he earned his PhD
in theology from Boston University. Theology is the study of the
nature of God and of religion, and religious beliefs.
Martin Luther was the name of a great religious leader in Germany in
the 1500s. His father was a priest, and he wanted his son to be like
the religious leader. He wanted King to be a great preacher one day.
Martin lived during the time when black people were treated
unfairly because of the colour of their skin. Black students and Dr Martin Luther King
white students did not go to the same schools. Black people and
white people did not eat at the same restaurants. Black people were not allowed
to drink from the same water fountains or use the same restrooms either. There
was practice of keeping people of different races, not together so that they live,
work, or study separately. Such official practice of keeping people apart is known
as segregation.
Martin held a belief that all human beings have universal natural rights to live
a dignified life. Every person has equal rights regardless of their colour, gender,
religion, and nationality. However, there was racial discrimination during that
time in America. People were treated differently because of their skin colour,
culture, and ethnic background. He fought against segregation, and discrimination
in favour of equality, and freedom.
In late 1955 AD, King moved to Alabama with his wife, Coretta Scott King, to
preach as a Baptist church. He witnessed the humiliation suffered by African
Americans as a result of racism, discrimination, and unjust laws there. One law
required all black passengers to ride in the back of public buses and to give up
their seats to white passengers when the front of the bus was full. Dr King knew
that this law violated the rights of every African-American. On December 1,
1955 AD, a courageous black passenger, Rosa Parks was arrested and jailed for
refusing to give up her seat to a white man. In response to the arrest, black leaders
organised a boycott of the public buses in the city of Montgomery. King led the
protest. Thousands of people, black and white, refused to ride the public buses.
They travelled together to their destination in their cars and shared the cost or
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walked. They carried out all demonstrations peacefully. However, King’s home was
bombed, but fortunately, his wife and children were not injured. After 381 days,
the Supreme Court declared racial segregation unconstitutional or illegal. This
protest was later renamed the “Mother of the Civil Rights Movement.”
Martin continued to organise and lead marches for the Black’s rights to vote, labour
rights and other fundamental civil rights. He arranged the civil rights movement
in Birmingham and Alaska and led it. On August 28, 1963 AD, he stood in front
of more than 250,000 protest marchers in Washington, D.C. and gave one of the
most famous speeches, ‘I Have a Dream’. The following year, in 1964 AD, King
was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for leading non-violent demonstrations. The
same year the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed, calling for equal opportunities
in employment and education. In the years followed, Dr King helped to bring
many reforms in his country, including the Voting Rights Act of 1965 AD, which
guaranteed black citizens the right to safely register and vote. Since 1967 AD, he
strongly opposed the US imposed decade long war upon Vietnam. He always raised
his voice in favour of the poors and the labourers. He constantly remarked that
every individual has the fundamental right to food, clothing, shelter, education,
and employment.
Because of such campaigns, not only the American government, but also rich blacks
and the Klux Klan became angry. The Ku Klux Klan was a secret organisation of
white men in the United States, which promoted violence against black people,
Jews, and other minorities. The members were the supporters of Dictator Hitler.
On April 4, 1968 AD, Martin Luther King was assassinated by James Earl Ray
while supporting a workers’ strike in Memphis, Tennessee. He was just 39 years
old. All people who had worked so hard for peace and civil rights were shocked and
angry. His wife Coretta King carried on much of his civil rights work even after his
death to keep her husband’s dream alive. She passed away in January 2006 AD.
The world still recognises his efforts and contributions. His life is gone, but not
forgotten. Every year, America observes ‘Martin Luther King Day’ on January 15 as
a national holiday for his contribution to provide more rights for black Americans.
He was not a president, but his birthday is a national day in the US.
Many of King’s idea about protest marches and boycotts came from Mahatma
Gandhi. Therefore, there are some similarities between them. From Gandhi, King
learnt that people should love their enemies. They should fight violence with peace.
Just as Gandhi refused to turn to hatred as he struggled to free India, King was
determined in nonviolent protests in his successful campaign to end discrimination
in the United States. Both of them were educated personalities. King received a
doctorate degree in theology, and Gandhi received high education in law from
a university in South Africa. Similarly, King was against racial discrimination
and Gandhi was against British rule in India. Likewise, King was arrested and
imprisoned by the US government for his protests, and Gandhi was arrested for
raising his voice against British imperialism in India. In the same way, both of
them were assassinated by their opponents. Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated by
a young Hindu extremist while walking to his prayer meeting in the lawn of Birla
House, New Delhi on January 30, 1948 AD.
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International personalities are the pride of the entire world. It is our duty to revere
them and follow their footsteps. We should try to contribute as much as we can
do from our side to our society. We need to advertise their work and make people
aware of their contributions. It is our responsibility to carry out numerous works
for social welfare in our society.
Activities
(1) Many personalities from different countries have made a significant contribution
to the social sector and human welfare. Find out major works of such a
personality and prepare an article to present it in your classroom.
(2) Read the second last paragraph of the lesson again carefully and find out any
four similarities between Martin Luther King and Mahatma Gandhi.
(3) Consult various authentic sources, and find some information about Malala
Yousafzai, who shared the Nobel Peace Prize 2014 with Kailash Satyarthi.
Exercise
(1) Write very short answers to the following questions.
(a) Who are international personalities?
(b) Why is Kailash Satyarthi famous throughout the world? Mention in a sentence.
(c) What made Martin Luther King popular all over the world? Write in a sentence.
(d) Write one similarity and one difference between contributions of Kailash
Satyarthi and Martin Luther King.
(2) Answer the following questions in brief.
(a) ‘Although Kailash Satyarthi is an Indian activist, his contributions are
exemplary for the entire world’. Justify this statement.
(b) What is the contribution of Kailash Satyarthi to the world? Mention any four
of them.
(c) What type of movement is Bachpan Bachao Andolan (Save the Childhood
Movement) led by Kailash Satyarthi? What positive changes can occur in our
society if such movement is launched in Nepal? Mention in four points.
(d) What contribution did Martin Luther King make for his country? Mention his
four major works for his nation.
(e) What lesson did you get from the biography of Martin Luther King? Mention
any four of them.
(f) How should we respect international personalities? Mention in four points.
Project Work
Give a short description of a Nobel Prize recipient international personality
you like the most.
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Lesson
3.7 Universal Brotherhood
Engage Yourself
Do you treat all people in your classroom and neighbourhood as your family members? Is
it fair to discriminate against people on the basis of their caste, religion, race, background
and nationality? The feeling of universal brotherhood regards the whole world as a single
home. Therefore, we all should live with peace, harmony, and cooperation.
(1) What is universal brotherhood? How can you say that the world is a single family?
(2) What do you mean by 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam'? Is the feeling of universal
brotherhood necessary to maintain peace and harmony in the world? How?
(3) What can be various ways to maintain global fraternity in the world?
Brotherhood means a feeling of friendship among people. Universal brotherhood
It is the affection and loyalty that we feel for people with
whom we have something in common. It also refers to a
feeling of shared interests and support among all humans.
Likewise, universal brotherhood means the concept of
regarding and treating the whole world as a common
home, and the people as family members.
The world is our shared habitat. It is our common home. Whichever of country
we live in, we are the residents of the earth. The whole world is a single family.
All the members of the world are our family members. If a member of the family
troubles others, the whole family has to suffer. Similarly, if the people of a certain
place of the earth damage her, the people of the entire world have to go through
a heavy loss. Most of the countries endured loss because of the two massive world
wars although they did not take part in it directly. Modern communication and
global trade have connected all the countries of the world. They are interdependent
economically, socially, and politically on one another. All the different parts of the
world form one community linked together. Therefore, the modern world is also
known as the global village.
From the ecological perspective, not only human beings, all the creatures of the
world are mutually dependent on one another. Thus, as the Supreme Being,
human beings must not conduct any activities that hamper the life system of other
creatures. They must not forget the existence of other creatures in the name of
the fulfilment of their needs and desires. It has spiritual value too. Our Vedic
traditions mention the significance of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’. It is a Sanskrit
phrase found in the Hindu Holy Scripture, Upanishad. It means the entire world
is one family. Hence, all people of the world should live in harmony, share joys and
happiness together, and maintain a cordial relation with one another.
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People do not want to be confined within a limited place these days. They have a
desire and compulsion to move from one place to another on the pretext of migration,
employment opportunities, tourism, foreign employment, and mutual assistance.
When they move to new places, they must help others and receive help from them.
This need has increased the significance of universal fraternity. Nowadays, many
cities are like melting pots. People different kinds, backgrounds, and countries get
mixed together there. Modern science and technology made transportation easier
and more accessible. It is possible to travel to another nook of the world from a
corner within a short period. These activities and trends have gradually decreased
religious and caste-based orthodoxy. People have already realised the essence of
unity, empathy, and cooperation for their communal welfare. They prefer to wear
dresses from another community and take part in their fairs and festivals. All
these activities flourish the feeling of global fraternity.
The theme of universal brotherhood is to provide equal status and respect to
people of every caste, religion, area and belief. We should maintain universal
brotherhood if we want to keep ourselves away from conflicts, hatred, and war.
All religions teach to respect peace and the objective of education is also the
same. Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) has also made the universal brotherhood
as its directive principle. Several international and regional organisations such
as SAARC, ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), European Union,
Commonwealth nations and African Union (AU) were formed for the promotion of
universal goodwill. Consequently, we should hold the thought of a sovereign global
family.
Importance of Universal Brotherhood
It helps to maintain unity and peace in the world by promoting the feeling of
mutual cooperation and tolerance among the nations and people of the world.
It helps to provide equal status and respect to people of every religion, caste,
region and beliefs.
It prevents the world from conflicts, wars, and hatred.
Universal brotherhood promotes the feeling of empathy, mutual harmony and
cooperation, thus making human life more joyful and meaningful.
It helps to solve the problems of inequality and discrimination.
It helps in the overall development of every aspect of the world.
Ways to Maintain Universal Brotherhood
Every nation of the world must follow the principles of Panchashila. The five
principles of Panchashila include mutual respect for regional integrity and
sovereignty, non-alignment, non-interference in internal affairs, equality and
cooperation for mutual benefit, and peaceful co-existence.
Every person should rise above the boundary of caste, religion, language,
nation, and work for human welfare.
Misunderstanding and conflicts between individuals or countries should be
solved through dialogue, acceptance, tolerance, and awareness.
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The feeling of mutual help, cooperation, harmony, and respect should be
developed among individuals and countries.
We should treat all people like our own brothers, sisters, or relatives.
Every person should leave his or her individual selfishness and work for
human welfare.
Everyone has to practise empathy and cooperation in his or her behaviour.
Activities
(1) Write a letter to one of your friends living abroad, mentioning the importance
of universal brotherhood.
(2) Make a list of some slogans related to universal brotherhood and paste on the
wall of your classroom.
Example: ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’
Exercise
(1) Write very short answers to the following questions.
(a) What is brotherhood?
(b) What does ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ mean?
(c) What is the theme of universal brotherhood?
(d) What do the five principles of Panchashila include?
(2) Write short answer to the following questions.
(a) What do you mean by universal brotherhood? What should we do to maintain
universal brotherhood? Mention any four ways.
(b) ‘Universal brotherhood is necessary to maintain peace in the world.’ Justify
this statement.
(c) Why is the importance of universal brotherhood increasing day by day?
(d) Complete the given table.
Advantages of universal brotherhood Disadvantages of enmity
Community Work
How are the people of foreign nations treated in your community? Meet some
of them and collect their experience. Prepare a report based on your findings.
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Lesson Our Responsibilities towards
Senior Citizens
3.8
Engage Yourself
Do you live with your grandmother or grandfather? How do you treat her or him? Those
people who are over 60 years old are senior citizens. They are the wealth of knowledge
and experience. Their suggestions and guidelines can help us in many ways. We should
always obey and respect them.
(1) Who are senior citizens? Why are they important members of our family and society?
(2) Why do some children or family members neglect senior members of their family?
What are our responsibilities towards senior citizens?
(3) What privileges and facilities has the state made for senior citizens?
Those older people who are over 60 years old or
who are retired are known as senior citizens. Senior
Citizens Act, 2063 (2006) defines them as citizens of
Nepal, having completed the age of sixty years.
It is the duty of all people to respect senior citizens.
Aged or elderly people are sources of knowledge and
experience. They have experienced many ups and
downs in their life. They have already spent prime Serving senior citizens
time of their life in the service of the community they
live in. Their experience can be guidelines for youths
and other people. We can transform our society with the help of their knowledge
and experience. They are the source of social and cultural knowledge, value, belief,
and tradition. They founded our glorious history, culture, traditions, and religion.
In fact, they are valuable living heritage. They have already faced numerous
challenges in their life. Thus, they can guide us with the ways to confront obstacles
in our life. Most of the modern technological devices are based on traditional
technology developed by people in the past. Therefore, it is our duty to recognise
their contribution, revere, and take care of them.
Although senior citizens are valuable members of our society, many people do not
realise their contribution and ignore them. Some of them even send the aged people
out of their house or force them to spend their lives in the old age home. It happens
because of various reasons such as individualistic lifestyle, the influence of western
lifestyle, busy schedule, desire to live in a nuclear family, lack of family culture,
economic shortage, and ancestral distance.
In order to solve these problems, the children should spend time with their old
parents despite their busy schedule. They should not forget the fact that they are
there because of the tireless contribution of their parents. They should continue the
good aspect of respecting the senior people according to their traditional culture.
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Moral and value-based education should be provided to the children in order
to develop a positive attitude and feeling of respect towards their parents. The
children who do not care senior parents should be made deprived of government
facilities and services.
Many people pay no attention to senior citizens because of various reasons. The
senior citizens lose energy, do not pay attention to personal hygiene, feel lazy
and have the usual habit of expressing dissatisfaction. Because of these factors,
some people disregard them. It is the social and moral duty of the state to take
care of the senior citizens. Society has to facilitate aged people with respect and
sympathy. There are a number of social organisations such as Nepal Senior Citizens
Federation (NASCIF), Hope Hermitage, Ageing Nepal, and so on working for the
welfare of senior citizens in Nepal. However, most of them are limited to urban
areas. There is an urgent need for such organisations in rural areas, too. The state
has to manage them on the basis of priority.
People observe International Day of Senior Citizens on 1st October every year.
Constitutional and Legal Provisions for the Rights and Benefits of Senior Citizens
Article 41(Rights of Senior Citizens) of the Constitution of Nepal mentions
that senior citizens shall have the right to special protection and social security
from the state.
Article 43 (Right to Social Security) of the Constitution of Nepal states that
the elderly citizens have the right to social security in accordance with the law.
Section 3 of Senior Citizens Act, 2063 (2006) points out that it is the duty of all
to respect senior citizens.
Section 4 of the Senior Citizens Act, 2063 (2006) mentions the following points.
1. It shall be the duty of each family member to maintain and care the senior
citizen according to the economic status and prestige of the member.
2. Where the senior citizen has lived separately or wishes to live separately,
taking his or her partition share, the family members of his or her choice
shall keep with him or her and maintain the senior citizen.
3. No one shall detach the senior citizen from the family or compel the senior
citizen to get detached from the family in against of his or her will.
4. Where the economic condition of the senior citizen of the family member
maintaining the senior citizen is weak, other family member shall make
provision of maintenance and care of the senior citizen in spite of the fact
that such member has not kept such senior citizen with him or her.
5. Not with standing anything contained elsewhere in this Section, any
family member, relative or heir who uses or deals with (consumes) the
movable or immovable property of the senior citizen shall keep with him
or her and maintain and care for such senior citizen
According to Section 24 of Senior Citizens Act, 2063 (2006), the Government
of Nepal may categorise senior citizens, helpless senior citizens, incompetent
senior citizens on the prescribed grounds and provide allowance or facility as
prescribed.
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It is the duty of every person to provide essential help, service, and facilities to
the senior citizens in public vehicles, public places, health institutions, religious,
and public places. The government has made several provisions for the wellbeing
of senior citizens. There is a reservation of at least 2 seats for senior citizens in
public places. They are provided special discount on the fair rate in public buses.
There is a facility of free treatment and discount on health centres. Ministry of
Children, Women, and Social Welfare has issued senior citizen identity cards to
senior citizens. Such cards help them to claim their facilities in hospitals. The
government also provides senior citizen allowance (Bridda Bhatta) to senior
citizens on a monthly basis.
Activities
(1) Meet some senior citizens of your community. Ask them how they have been
treated and helped by their children, youths, and society. Prepare a table based
on their replies.
(2) What institutions have been set up for the welfare of senior citizens in our
country? Discuss among your friends, and make a list of such organisations with
their contributions.
Exercise
(1) Give very short answers to the following questions.
(a) Who are senior citizens?
(b) Why should we respect senior citizens? Mention any two reasons.
(c) Why do some people ignore senior citizens?
(d) How should we respect senior citizens? Write any two ways.
(2) Give short answers to the following questions.
(a) “Senior citizens are the treasure of knowledge and experience.” Elaborate
this statement.
(b) What facilities and privileges have been made for senior citizens in our
country?
(c) What provisions has the government made in the constitution and law of our
country for the welfare of citizens in our country? Mention them.
(d) From a few years, we have been listening and reading the news and incidents
that senior citizens are being neglected and maltreated by their own family
members. What are the possible reasons behind this? Also, suggest some
solutions as well.
Community Work
Meet one of the senior citizens in your community. Enquire about his or her
contributions and experience. Note down, and share it with your friends.
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Unit Social Problems and Solutions
4
Introduction
There are several activities in our society. People perform such activities according to their
values, norms, traditions, traditional beliefs, and social conditions. Among them, some
activities are useful and progressive for society, while some create obstacles and have
negative effects on the progress of society. Those bad practices are called social problems.
They disturb the peace and prosperity of our society. Consequently, they raise questions on
human civilisation. Such activities are immoral, unwanted and illegal and hinder the smooth
running of society. In this unit, we are going to learn such social evils and problems, their
causes and the role of various international organisations in solving them.
Learning Outcomes
On the completion of this unit, the students will be able to:
• identify the existing traditions, customs and rituals as social problems and evils and
take part in their solution;
• explain the roles of national and international organisations in solving social problems
and evils; and
• solve the problems through the application of information, coordination and critical
thinking skills.
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Lesson Human Trafficking as a Social
Problem
4.1
Engage Yourself
Do people have to face any obstacle and difficulty in your society? How do you feel when
you see the victims of girl trafficking, child trafficking, and human organ trafficking on
television and other media? Human trafficking is a serious social problem. Nepali society
has been facing human trafficking in various forms and for various reasons.
(1) What are social problems? How can you say that human trafficking is a social problem?
(2) What are the various forms and causes of human trafficking? Which organisations
work to solve the problems of human trafficking in Nepal?
(3) What roles can students and concerned authorities play to control human trafficking?
People perform various activities in society according to their beliefs, norms,
values, traditions, culture, superstition, and modernisation. Among them, some
practices are useful for society as they contribute to mutual harmony and social
unity, provide chances of celebration and rejoice, make people disciplined, and help
to maintain social order.
On the other hand, some human activities hamper social progress and create an
obstacle in its smooth running. Such illegal, immoral, and unpleasant malpractices
that can push society towards backwardness are called social problems. Likewise,
social evils are anti-social activities borne out of superstitious beliefs, ignorance,
and greed. They usually emerge in society due to wrong practices based on culture,
customs, and traditions.
Social problems and evils have negative impacts on human society. Many people
have to live miserable life because of such social stigmas in our society. As a result,
they raise questions on human civilisation.
Human Trafficking
Among many grave global problems plaguing the world today, trafficking in persons
or human trafficking is one of the worst. The illegal practice of trading in human
beings for the purpose of prostitution, forced labour, involuntary labour, or other
forms of exploitation is called human trafficking. It is a serious criminal activity.
Although the exact number is not known, it is estimated that there are millions
of trafficking in person victims across the world. It is one of the worst forms of
violation of human rights.
Human Trafficking and Transportation (Control) Act, 2064 BS states that human
beings must not be trafficked and transported. It has considered the following acts
as human trafficking:
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To sell or purchase a person for any purpose;
To use someone into prostitution, with or without any benefit;
To extract human organ except otherwise determined by law; and
To go for in prostitution.
The United Nations defines human trafficking as the recruitment, transportation, transfer,
harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms
of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position
of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the
consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation.
Trafficking agents lure many women, children, and men from the rural areas and
even urban areas of Nepal in the name of providing attractive employment, pleasure
trip, and economic temptation every year. Then, they sell them for the purpose of
forced labour, sexual exploitation, bonded labour, child labour, orchestra dancing,
adaptation, and organ donation. Apart from them, many people who go for foreign
employment and victims of child marriage, polygamy and rape also become the
victims of human trafficking. Human trafficking in Nepal has assumed the form of
a national problem.
The UN, in 2013, adopted a resolution choosing July 30 formally as World Day against
Human Trafficking of Persons to raise awareness of the situation of victims of human
trafficking and for the promotion and protection of their rights.
Women used to be sold for prostitution and labour exploitation in the past.
However, children and even men have become victims of human trafficking these
days. They are forced to work as circus performers, domestic workers, prostitutes,
and beggars. Some major forms of human trafficking are described below:
(1) Girl Trafficking
The activity of buying and selling girls
illegally for sex, labour exploitation, and
other illicit activities is called girl trafficking.
The traffickers and brokers lure the innocent,
illiterate,honest,poorandyounggirlsinthename
of providing attractive employment, pleasure
trip, foreign employment, and sophisticated
lifestyle. Because of various reasons such as
illiteracy, lack of awareness, extreme poverty,
ambitious dreams, lack of parental guidance, Girl Trafficking
helplessness, scanty job opportunities and
limited economic opportunities, they easily fall
into the trap of traffickers. In the past, trafficking was limited to India only from
Nepal. However, it has expanded to other nations such as South Korea, China, Gulf
countries, and Southeast Asian countries. Likewise, women are being sold even in
African, European, and American countries in the name of foreign employment.
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Nepal Police, the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare, National
Women Commission, District Coordination Committees, and various intelligence
agencies are government agencies that have been working against girl trafficking.
Maiti Nepal, ABC Nepal, Shakti Samuha, Didi Bahini, AATWIN (Alliance Against
Trafficking of Women and Girls in Nepal), Raksha Nepal are some organisations
working actively to minimise and eradicate human trafficking.
The active roles of these agencies and organisations have helped to reduce the
trafficking rate in India. However, trafficking to the countries has increased in the
name of foreign employment these days.
Girl trafficking is not only an illegal act, but also an inhuman crime. Therefore, the
following measures should be implemented to control it:
(a) At first, the woman or the girl herself should be careful or conscious.
(b) There must be strict legal action against the culprit.
(c) Awareness programmes should be launched on a large scale to make people
aware of it.
(d) There needs to be effective coordination of the government, non-government
bodies, and civil society to eradicate this social stigma.
(e) There should be a provision of strong monitoring and strong security system.
(f) All people should have access to education.
(g) All stakeholders must ramp up their collective efforts to end girl trafficking.
(h) The rescued victims should be rehabilitated with legal counselling, vocational
training, employment, and reconciliation with family.
(2) Child Trafficking
Child trafficking is a crime involving the movement of children for the purpose
of their exploitation with or without the permission of the family. A child has been
trafficked if he or she has been moved within a country or across borders, when by
force or not, with the purpose of exploiting him or her.
The trafficked children are taken away from their homes and compelled to work
in risky areas, homes, circus, and road as beggars. Therefore, for the safety and
protection of children, community, parents, guardians, family, teachers, and even
the children need to be alert. Mostly the children of the Terai region and urban areas
are trafficked. Various reasons such as poverty, busy schedule and carelessness or
parents, family tension, and organised system of traffickers cause child trafficking.
Thus, given measures should be adopted to control this criminal activity:
(a) Special consideration should be made for the safety of children.
(b) Awareness programme should be launched on a periodical basis.
(c) Every child should get access to education.
(d) There must be regular surveillance in hotels, factories and circus companies.
(e) The trafficked children should be rescued and rehabilitated.
(f) The government, non-government agencies, and civil society must remain
watchful about this problem and do their best for the safety of children.
(g) The government must take strict actions against those involved in this crime.
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(3) Human Organ Trafficking
It is possible to transplant several organs if they are damaged or do not work
properly these days. In such cases, the damaged organs are transplanted from
family members or other donors. Organ transplantation is an effective therapy
for organ failure and is widely practised around the world. However, if there are
no family member or willing donor, the necessary organs are bought illegally
through brokers. In most countries, the buying and selling of organs are illegal. It
is estimated that some 42% of total transplanted organs are trafficked illegally.
According to the Human Body Organ Transplantation (Regulation and Prohibition)
Act, 1998, the illegal selling of human organs for transplantation is a crime in Nepal.
Moreover, the Human Trafficking and Transportation (Control) Act, 2007 clearly
states that the extraction of human organs, except otherwise determined by law, is
an act of human trafficking and transportation. However, the trade of organs such
as the liver, lungs, cornea, and kidneys is increasing rapidly nowadays. Traffickers
take advantage of the poverty and illiteracy of rural people. They keep the victims
in the dark throughout the procedure, luring them with the promise of a lot of
money. Therefore, this problem should be solved with the following measures.
(a) People should be made aware of illegal organ extracting in the name of
treatment.
(b) Community awareness programmes need to be launched in potential organ
trafficking areas.
(c) Poor and illiterate people should be provided with employment opportunities
to improve their financial condition so that they do not have to sell their organs.
(d) The provision of caretakers for patients should be made effective so that
traffickers would not get a chance to extract organs.
(e) The government must take strict actions against those involved in this crime.
Activities
(1) There must be a social problem common in your society. What is the problem?
What are the effects of that problem? Discuss among your friends and prepare
a list of conclusions. Present them in your classroom.
(2) ’Problems make a person matured.” Do you agree with this statement? Is
there any person who has progressed much after facing problems? What
lessons can we learn him or her? Discuss among your friends in the class.
(3) We can listen, watch, and read news about missing children, but not about
found children on various media. Where do they go? Why do they not return?
Discuss in the classroom and make a list of possibilities.
(4) There are a number of incidents of human trafficking for the purpose of organ
trafficking these days. Are there such cases in your area or locality too? Go for
a field trip and prepare a report.
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Exercise
(1) Write very short answers to the following questions.
(a) Define social problems and social evils.
(b) What do you mean by human trafficking?
(c) Why is human trafficking considered a social problem?
(d) What is meant by girl trafficking? Mention its two reasons.
(e) What are the reasons behind child trafficking in Nepal?
(f) Why is human organ trafficking increasing these days?
(g) Make a list of any four organisations working actively to minimise and
eradicate girl trafficking.
(h) Mention any two suggestions to prevent girl trafficking.
(i) Make a list of any two slogans to create awareness against human trafficking.
(2) Write short answers to the given questions.
(a) “Human trafficking is a social problem.” Explain this statement.
(b) Why is human trafficking increasing in our society? Analyse and make a list
of any four reasons.
(c) What efforts and activities are being carried out in Nepal at present to
prevent girl trafficking? Make a list of any four activities.
(d) How can girl trafficking be controlled in Nepal? Make a list of any four
measures.
(e) Child trafficking is a social crime. What roles can students play to prevent
it? Make a list of any four roles.
(f) How can human organ trafficking be controlled in our country? Write the
measures in four points.
Community Work
Meet a senior citizen of your community. Discuss about social problems in
the past and present with him or her. Find some differences between them in
regard to their nature, types, and reasons for their differences.
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Lesson Domestic Violence and
Untouchability
4.2
Engage Yourself
Have you ever observed any incidents of domestic violence and untouchability in your
society? Are men victims of domestic violence? Is it fair to treat people differently because
of their caste? Domestic violence and untouchability are serious social problems in our
society. Many cases of other social problems and evils attract headlines, but thousands of
people experience domestic abuse and untouchability every day.
(1) What do you know about domestic violence and untouchability?
(2) What are their causes and negative impacts?
(3) What are various measures to control and solve them?
The current society is directed towards modernisation. However, several traditional
beliefs, views, and practices are still prevalent in our society. Such attitudes and
behaviours have been affecting individuals, families, society, and nation negatively.
It is necessary to bring reforms in such convectional thoughts and conservative
behaviours. Among such behaviours, domestic violence and untouchability should
be considered social problems and solved in time.
(1) Domestic Violence
Domestic violence takes place at home
between family members, especially by one
person against the partner. It typically
involves violent and aggressive activities
such as mistreatment, threatening, abuse,
oppression, beating, and attack within the
home. It takes places regarding various
issues such as habit, character, manner of
speaking, demand for rights, etc. It refers
to any form of physical, mental, sexual and
economic harm committed by a person to
a person with whom he/she has a family Domestic Violence
relationship. These days, the situations
of domestic violence are increasing due to various factors such as the conflict
in dowries, clash in parental property, illicit relationship, addiction, ignorance,
illiteracy, and poverty.
Violence against women, girls, and children is one of the most widespread, persistent,
and devastating human rights violations. However, many cases of domestic violence
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remain unreported due to the silence, stigma, and shame surrounding it. Cultural,
economic, religious, and social factors, and the low status of women encourage
the men to commit violence against women in Nepali society. On the other hand,
some women are even tortured and beaten by their mothers-in-laws and other
family members. Domestic Violence (Offence and Punishment) Act, 2066 BS (2009)
restricts any person from committing domestic violence. However, frequent cases
of verbal harassment, emotional abuse, physical violence and mental torture have
never paid any serious attention to the legal provisions.
Effects of Domestic Violence
(a) The victim may suffer from tension, depression, fear, and anxiety.
(b) It decreases the victim’s excitement, eagerness, and enthusiasm to do any
work.
(c) The victim may make wrong decisions of suicide and drug addiction with his
or her life.
(d) It causes misunderstanding and fragmentation in the family relationship.
(e) It creates a social clash and causes loss of prestige, dignity, respect, and
reputation in the society.
(f) It creates negative impacts on senior citizens and children in the family.
Measures to Control Domestic Violence
(a) There should be a presence of more numbers of females in legal institutions so
that the victims can report the cases of domestic violence unhesitantly.
(b) A fast track law and justice system should be developed for the women suffering
from violence by revising the slow legal remedy process.
(c) Responsible civil society should be mobilised to put an end to violence against
women.
(d) People should be educated and encouraged to live a civilised and disciplined
life.
(e) Periodical awareness programme should be launched on a large scale.
(f) The opinion of every family member should be heard and respected in the
family.
(g) The prevailing culture of silence among the victims should be broken.
(h) The police or concerned authorities should be reported in case of violence.
(2) Untouchability
There is an inhuman practice of treating people of some caste groups as
untouchables in our country. This practice is known as untouchability. It is illegal
caste-based discrimination. Caste-based discrimination and untouchability is a
punishable act under the existing legal system. Caste Based Discrimination or
Untouchability (Offence and Punishment) Act, 2068 BS (2011) has clearly mentioned
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that no one shall commit or cause to commit Caste discrimination
caste-based discriminations, and untouchability
and no one shall assist, support, or provoke
anyone to commit caste based discrimination
or untouchability or shall attempt to commit
such an act. However, it is still in practice and
offenders often go unpunished.
Caste Based Discrimination and Untouchability
(Offence and Punishment Act), 2068 states that
someone who is guilty of an untouchability
offence will be jailed for from 3 months to 3 years
or will be slapped a fine ranging from Rs 1,000 to
Rs 25,000.
Untouchability is still prevalent in many rural areas of Nepal. The people of so
called low caste are prohibited from entering into the temple, sharing the sources
of water, entering into the houses of the so - called upper caste people, and so on.
Such practices are the stigma of our society.
Effects of Untouchability
(a) The victim feels self-humiliated and inferior to others.
(b) It creates discrimination in government facilities and opportunities.
(c) There is a possibility of social conflicts.
(d) It hampers social harmony and social goodwill.
(e) It weakens the culture of social cooperation and social concern.
(f) It causes a loss of social value and prestige.
Measures to Solve Untouchability
(a) Periodical awareness programmes should be launched on a large scale.
(b) Effective laws should be formulated and implemented against this inhuman
practice.
(c) Various programmes should be run to increase social goodwill, collaboration
and cooperation.
(d) Social inclusion should be maintained in our society.
(e) Various programmes should be conducted to uplift the social and economic
status of so-called low caste people.
(f) The government should strengthen its measures to effectively implement the
Caste-based Discrimination and Untouchability (Offence and Punishment)
Act and eliminate all forms of discrimination against the people of the Dalit
community.
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Activities
(1) There may be several incidents of domestic violence in your area? What
measures can be applied to solve them? Discuss among your friends and
make a list.
(2) Untouchability has not been eradicated from Nepali society even in the 21st
century. What measures can be implemented to free our society from this
problem? Discuss among your friends and present your conclusion in points.
Exercise
(1) Offer very short answers to the following questions.
(a) What do you mean by domestic violence?
(b) Is it fair to treat people differently because of their caste? Why or why not?
Present your view in a sentence.
(c) Mention any two causes of untouchability in our society.
(2) Answer the following questions in brief.
(a) Why are the cases and incidents of domestic violence increasing in our
society? Mention any four reasons.
(b) Write the effects of domestic violence and measures to control it.
(c) Prepare a dialogue on the topic, “Untouchability is the stigma of our society.”
(d) Prepare a list of effects of untouchability and some measures to solve it.
(e) Which social problems do the following pictures show? Give any two
measures to solve them.
Community Work
Meet some senior personalities of your community and discuss how the
problems such as domestic violence and untouchability can be solved. Present
the conclusion in your class.
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Lesson
4.3 Some Bad Customs
Engage Yourself
What are common traditional activities, beliefs, events, and behaviours in your society?
Which of them are beneficial to your society, and which of them are not appropriate
and practical at present? Our customs are our traditional and widely accepted ways of
behaving and doing something. Most of them are our pride and identity. However, some
of them are not relevant at present. They are bad customs.
(1) What do you know about Ghumto, Deuki, Jhuma, Chhaupadi, and Daijo Pratha?
(2) Besides them, what are some bad customs that are prevalent in your society?
(3) What are the negative impacts of such bad customs?
(4) What are various ways to discourage and erdicate such evil customs?
A custom is an activity, a way of behaving, or an event that is usual or traditional
in a particular society or in particular circumstances. It refers to a way of behaving
or a belief that has been established for a long time. It differs from time to time,
from place to place, and society to society. A number of customs are prevalent in
our society. Among them, some of them are creating an obstacle in the progress
of our society at present. They were possibly usual and appropriate at the time of
origin. However, some of them are not relevant and practical at present. Therefore,
we should be able to reform and get rid of malpractices that we have been following
as part of our tradition or culture. Ghumto Pratha, Deuki Pratha, Jhuma Pratha,
Chhaupadi Pratha, dowry system, etc. are some common bad customs in our society.
Some Bad Customs
(1) Ghumto Pratha:
Ghumto Pratha is a custom in which married
women are required to veil their faces before other
men. It is estimated that 70 per cent of women living
in eastern and inner parts of the Terai wear Ghumtos
when appearing before other men. In this situation,
women are even restricted to defecate in daylight until
she bears the first baby. This sort of superstitious Ghumto Pratha
traditional custom has hindered the development of
women’s personalities. They are deprived of their right
to freedom. It is one of the obstacles to women empowerment. Many women are
deprived of education and job opportunities because of this practice. Therefore, this
type of custom should be reformed through education, social awareness, political
and social pressure, and so on.
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(2) Deuki Pratha:
Deuki Pratha is an ancient custom in which a young
girl is offered to the temple in the name of religion. It is
practised in Hilly areas of far western Nepal, mainly in
districts like Baitadi, Kanchanpur, Dadeldhura, Doti,
and Bajura. In this custom, wealthier families buy
girls from poor families and offer them to temples. It is
believed that one’s wish gets fulfilled if a person offers
Deuki to a temple. Mostly people from Kanari, Thakuri Deuki Pratha
and Bista castes practise this custom. People offer a
Deuki to a temple to cure dreadful diseases, to bear son, and to fulfil their wish. A
Deuki is not allowed to marry. The family that buys the young girl has to look after
her as its daughter. But unfortunately, many of them are not taken care of. Instead,
such girls are sexually abused and are compelled to live miserable life. They have
to depend on worshipper’s food, clothes, and offerings. They are deprived of their
rights to education and marriage. However, this system is declining day by day due
to the impact of education, awareness programmes and the role of some NGOs.
(3) Jhuma Pratha:
The custom of offering the second daughter to the
monastery (Gumba) is known as Jhuma Pratha. It is
common in the Sherpa community in the mountainous
region of Nepal. The girl offered in this way is known
as Jhuma. If there are three daughters, the second
daughter should be offered as Jhuma, and if there
are three sons, the second son should be offered as
Dhawa (Lama) according to this tradition. They have Jhuma Pratha
to remain unmarried throughout their life and take
care of monasteries. Thousands of Jhumas and Lamas are victimised in the name
of rituals. Human rights and women’s rights activists take Jhuma tradition as a
violation of women’s rights. Therefore, this ritual should be discouraged through
an increase in education and awareness, equal social behaviour, provision of strict
laws, and maintenance of gender equity.
(4) Chhaupadi Pratha:
It is a practice of banishing teenage girls and
women to quiet huts during their menstrual period.
They have to live a miserable life at such huts (also
known as Chhau Goth).This custom is prevalent in
western Nepal, mainly in Doti, Achham, Bajura,
Kailali, Dailekh, Bajhang, Baitadi, and Dadeldhura. Chhaupadi Pratha
The practice of Chhaupadi is not only discriminatory
against women, it is also life endangering. The sheds are often cold, damp and
unhygienic. Many girls and women have died in Chhaupadi sheds due to reasons
such as cold, smoke inhalation, burning, snakebite, lack of proper care, and
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wildlife attack. They have even become victims of sexual abuse. The weakness
and superstitious belief of this custom is that this practice considers women going
through natural process of menstruation as impure and untouchable. Many people
hold the belief that their god will be angry and punish them if women decide to
remain in their houses during their menstrual periods. Therefore, it is the result of
superstition. In order to eradicate this problem, people should be made aware of the
scientific part of menstruation; rights-based educational awareness programmes
should be launched in rural committees; effective programmes should be launched
for women empowerment; and gender equity should be maintained.
(5) Dowry Pratha:
The practice of offering furniture, money, and
appliances to the bridegroom’s family from the bride’s
side in the name of wedding gifts is called the dowry
system. This tradition is in practice since ancient
times. However, it is taken as a matter of reputation
and competition these days. There are many instances Dowry Pratha
when a wife has committed suicide because of her
helplessness to tolerate the harassment for dowry. There have been times when a
wife has been murdered because her parents were not able to give enough dowries.
Many women have become the victims of violence, domestic violence, and family
dispute for not fulfilling the demand of the groom’s family. Legally, dowry is banned
in Nepal, but it is still in practice in the Terai region and other parts of our country.
Dowry system has made marriage difficult for girls of poor families. Parents of the
bride suffer equally from the problem. They are compelled to sell their property
or take a loan at high interest for the marriage of their daughters. Because of the
dowry system, people mainly in the southern parts of Nepal do not want to have a
baby girl. In the past, dowry was offered as a token of love and blessing, but now
it has become a compulsion. This system has made fun of the principle of gender
equality. Many parents save money for their daughter’s marriage and try to collect
dowry instead of spending it on her education.
The shameful dowry practice has been increasing day by day because of patriarchal
beliefs, superstitious views, and lack of awareness. As long as the gender-based
discrimination exists, this evil practice can never be eliminated. Legal provisions
against the dowry system should be implemented strictly. Execution of effective
plans and policies for women’s empowerment and gender equality is necessary
to eradicate this problem. Parents should be educated and motivated, and they
should be made to understand that even a huge dowry cannot ensure a happy life
for their daughters if they are not educated or skilled. A large number of anti-
dowry campaigns should be organised to eradicate this social stigma.
Due to the domination of patriarchal beliefs, lack of women education, lack of
effective steps for women empowerment, and the low status of women, most of the
social problems prevalent in Nepali society mostly affect women. Social customs
such as Ghumto, Deuki, Jhuma, Chhaupadi, Dowry etc. have negative effects on
women than men. Therefore, women empowerment, women education, skill-based
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training for women, awareness programme, and implementation of the law to
maintain gender equity are the primary measures to solve the problems related to
such bad customs.
Activities
(1) Make a list of social problems prevalent in your society. Among them, which
problem has affected your society the most? What can be possible ways to
solve it? Discuss among your friends and make a list of possible measures.
(2) We can hear or read the news that not only uneducated women, even
educated ones, have become the victims of Chhaupadi Pratha in Karnali and
Sudurpaschim provinces of Nepal. Why has not this custom been abolished
even in the 21st century? What can be done to reform this custom? Prepare a
dialogue between two friends discussing these issues.
(3) These days, we can hear even the incidents of male violence. Why do such
happenings occur? How can such problems be solved? Discuss in your classroom
and present the conclusion.
Exercise
(1) Write very short answers to the following questions.
(a) Define customs. Give any four examples of bad customs found in Nepalese
society.
(b) What type of custom is Ghumto Pratha?
(c) Who are Deukis and Jhumas?
(d) What is Chhaupadi Pratha? Where is it prevalent?
(e) What do you mean by dowry system?
(2) Write short answers to the following questions.
(a) Give a short introduction to Ghumto Pratha.
(b) Write short notes on bad customs like Jhuma Pratha, Chhaupadi Pratha and
Dowry system.
(c) ‘Giving and accepting dowries is a social crime.’ Elaborate on this statement.
(d) ‘Chhaupadi is the result of superstition.’ Clarify this statement.
(e) Write an essay on the title, “Ghumto Pratha hampers the development of
women’s personality.”
(f) The social problems common in Nepalese society mostly affect females than
males. Why? Suggest any four measures to solve them.
(g) What can be the role of students in solving the social problems mentioned
in the lesson? Mention any four of them.
Community Work
Consult with some men and women of your community who are between 16
and 45 years old about prevailing bad customs common there. Prepare a report
based on their opinions and views.
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Lesson Roles of Some International
Organisations to Solve Social
4.4
Problems
Engage Yourself
What social problems and evils are prevalent in your society? What roles can social
organisations play to solve them? Various international organisations such as the Red
Cross, the Scouts and SOS have been playing an important role in solving social problems
prevalent in Nepali society.
(1) What do you know about the Red Cross, the Scouts, and Societas Socialis?
(2) What activities do these organisations carry out in solving social problems?
(3) Are you satisfied with such organisations' efforts in solving social problems in your
society?
Social problems hinder the progress of society. The role played by various
international organisations in solving social problems and evils is crucial in Nepali
society. Some of such international organisations with their contributions are
described below.
(1) Red Cross
The Red Cross is an international humanitarian Jean Henri Dunant
organisation. It was formally established by the Geneva
Convention of 1864 AD at the initiation of the Swiss
philanthropist, Jean Henri Dunant. Its headquarters are
in Geneva. The emblem of this organisation consists of
a red cross on a white background. It is also known as
the Geneva Cross. It stands for neutrality in war. It is
adapted from the Swiss flag, with colour reversed. The
branches of the Red Cross are known as Red Crescent
in Muslim countries. The flag or emblem consists of Red
Crescent in Muslim nations. It is known as Red Crystal in
Israel.
In 1859, a battle was raging at the town of Solferino in Northern Italy. There
the Swiss businessperson Henry Dunant was shocked when he saw thousands of
Italian, French, and Austrian soldiers killing and hurting each other. There was no
food and water for soldiers. On his own initiative, he organised aid work. Later he
wrote the book A Memory of Solferino, which contained a plan: all countries should
form associations to help the sick and wounded on the battlefield - whichever side
they belonged to.
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The result was the establishment of the International Committee of the Red Cross
in 1863 and the adoption of the Geneva Convention in 1864. It emphasised that all
wounded soldiers in a land war should be treated as friends. The Red Cross would
protect medical personnel in a white field.
Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS) came into being in 1963 AD (2020 BS). The ICRC
recognised it in 1964 AD, and it was affiliated to the International Federation of
Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in the same year. NRCS has grown to be
the largest humanitarian organisation in Nepal. Its headquarters is in Kalimati,
Kathmandu.
Jean Henri Dunant was honoured with the Nobel Peace Prize in 1901 AD.
Activities and Functions of the Red Cross
To contribute to promoting and improving health condition, preventing
diseases, and reducing suffering;
To arrange for emergency relief services for war and disaster victims;
To organise blood donation programmes and educate people about vaccinations
and epidemics;
To arrange ambulance service in emergencies;
To supply clean drinking water to the people where it is lacking; and
To perform other functions of community development and public welfare.
(2) The Scouts
The Scouts is an organisation for children and young
people that teaches them to be practical, sensible and
helpful. Scouting provides young people with opportunities
to participate in programmes, events, activities, and
projects that contribute to their growth as active citizens.
Through these initiatives, young people become agents
of positive change who inspire others to take action.
The Scouts is the biggest and the most successful world
organisation in the world. The aim of scouting is to Badel Powell
encourage the physical, intellectual, social, and spiritual
development of young people so that they may play a constructive role in society as
responsible citizens and as members of their local and international communities.
It is a non-political volunteering organisation.
Badel Powell (original name Robert Stephenson Smyth), a British general, founded
the Scouts. It was set up in 1907 AD in England for the first time for the purpose
of human welfare. Although Powell was a soldier, he did not like wars. He wanted
to establish an organisation to prevent jobless youths from bad activities and turn
them into skilful and responsible leaders by making them involved in creative
work. He began the mission with 20 boys and an experimental camp in 1907 AD.
Today, there are more than 40 million Scouts, young people and adults, males and
females in over 200 countries.
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Nepal Scout was established on July 18, 1952 AD (Shrawan 3, 2009 BS). Its
headquarters is in Lainchour, Kathmandu. In Nepal, boys wear light grey shirts
and deep grey trousers, and the girls wear green shirts and frocks or saris. Both
girls and boys wear scarf in different colours according to their unit.
Activities and Functions of the Scouts
To rescue and conduct relief work for the victims of natural disasters;
To control the crowds of people during cultural, religious, social and national
celebrations;
To conduct sanitation and plantation programmes in different communities;
To provide drinking water supply and participate in various environment
activities;
To develop discipline, arts, skills, and ability in the youths; and
To conduct awareness programmes on different issues.
(3) SOS (Societas Socialis)
Austrian professor Hermann Gmeiner founded the
first SOS Children’s Village in 1949 AD in Imst in Austria.
He was committed to helping children in need- children
who had lost their homes, their security and their families
because of the Second World War. SOS is an independent
non-governmental social development organisation that
has been supporting helpless and orphan children.
SOS Children’s Villages are present in Nepal since 1972
AD in various places of Nepal. There are children’s Hermann Gmeiner
villages in Bhaktapur, Kaski, Kathmandu, Surkhet,
Sunsari, Kavre, Chitwan, Rupandehi, and Dhangadi. This organisation has been
providing its humanitarian activities in more than 133 countries in the world.
There are over 1567 SOS Children’s villages in different parts in the world. There
are a number of Balgrams and schools in Nepal established by the SOS for helpless
orphan children.
Activities and Functions of SOS
To provide food, clothes, education, and shelter to helpless, needy, differently
abled orphans and children;
To provide a homely and caring environment for the orphans and children for
their all-round development;
To work with children, families, communities and states to prevent family
breakdown and ensure that children’s rights are met;
To work to provide quality alternative care for children who can no longer live
with their parents; and
To stand up for children and help to inform communities and decision-makers
about children’s rights.
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Besides them, some other organisations such as Asian Development Bank, World
Bank, European Union, World Food Programme, United Nations Development
Programme, Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA), Finnish
International Development Agency (FINIDA), Jaycees, Leo, Lions Club have been
playing an important role in physical, economic, educational, social development,
and environment conservation in Nepal.
Activities
(1) Among the international organisations working in Nepal, there must be one
working in your area. What are their works and objectives? Find out and present
it in your classroom.
(2) How did Nepal Red Cross Society and Nepal Scouts help the earthquake victims
of the12th of Baisakh, 2072 BS in our country? Based on your experience and
news of newspapers and online media, complete the given table with suitable
information.
Activities of Nepal Red Cross Society Activities of Nepal Scout
(3) Write any five sentences about Scout using the given words.
4 to 25 years old, determination, challenging, high standards, patriotic, help,
universality, peace
Exercise
(1) Write very short answers to the following questions.
(a) What does the emblem of the Red Cross consist of?
(b) What type of opportunities does the Scout provide to young people?
(c) When was Nepal Red Cross established?
(d) Where are the SOS children’s villages located in Nepal?
(e) Who are the founders of Red Cross and SOS?
(2) Write short answers to the following questions.
(a) What are the activities and functions of the Red Cross? Mention any four of
them.
(b) Write the contributions of the Scouts and SOS.
(c) ‘The Scout is a group of noble youths.’ Justify this statement.
(d) Draw the logo of scout and describe it.
Community Work
Nepal Red Cross and Nepal Scouts must be active in your school or area. Meet the leader of such
groups and find out about their inspiration, details of work and challenges in their work. Based
on your discussion, prepare an editorial to paste on the wall magazine.
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Lesson Some Other International
Organisations
4.5
Engage Yourself
What types of social problems and evils exist in your community? What roles can social
organisations play in solving them? Besides international organisations mentioned in the
previous lesson, there are several other social organisations that been playing an active
role in solving social problems in Nepal.
(1) What social organisations are there in your locality?
(2) What are their contributions to solving social problems?
Introduction
A number of international organisations have been playing an active role in
solving social problems in Nepal. Such organisations have provided financial and
technical assistance to Nepal. The assistance of these organisations is crucial in
solving the problems like poverty, illiteracy, evil practices, and superstitions. Such
international organisations have been conducting a wide range of programmes and
activities against traditional superstitious beliefs and bad customs.
Government and Non-government Agencies of Different Countries Working
in Nepal
International Contributions
Organisations
Plan Nepal
It advances children’s rights and equality for girls.
It helps marginalised children, their families and communities to access
their rights to health, education, economic security, and protection.
It reduces violence against girls and women and tackling discriminatory
attitudes and practices to make communities free of child marriage, child
trafficking, and child labour.
It promotes girls’ sexual and reproductive health rights.
International Nepal Fellowship
It provides rehabilitation services to drug addicts.
It conducts a number of awareness programmes.
It has established hospitals in Pokhara, Banke, and Surkhet to provide
services for people affected by leprosy, spinal cord injuries, and other
disabilities.
It also runs medical outreach programmes and training for a variety of
medical professions.
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International Labour Organisation
It promotes social justice and internationally recognised human and labour
rights.
It sets labour standards, develop policies, and plan programmes
promoting decent work for all women and men.
It helps advance the economic and working conditions that give all
workers, employers and governments a chance in lasting peace,
prosperity, and progress.
It eradicates all sorts of child labour and help in the formulation and
implementation of labour policy and labour law.
Rotary International
It provides services for the poor and differently able people.
It collaborates with different organisations for social development.
It conducts the programmes like health camps, construction of school
buildings, provide drinking water, establishment and operation of libraries
and conduction of skill-based and leadership training.
International Union for Conservation of Nature
It conserves biodiversity to improve and secure livelihoods.
It prevents environmental degradation and illegal destruction of the
environment because of illiteracy and poverty in Nepal.
It provides financial and technical help in the protection of biodiversity in
Nepal.
Norwegian Agency for International Development
This organisation has been working in Nepal since
2028 BS in the area of women rights.
It provides free legal services to poor and marginalised women.
Danish International Development Agency
This organisation has been providing assistance for capacity building and
self-dependence programmes of the differently able people.
It also provides technical and financial assistance for the education and
the renewable energy sector.
Activities
(1) What types of social problems are prevalent in your community? What
efforts have the people in the community made to solve them? Which social
organisations assist them in solution. Prepare a short paragraph, including
these points and present it in your classroom.
(2) The education and awareness level is comparatively high at present. However,
many youths have fallen into the addiction to drug addiction. What types of
programmes should the social organisations launch to prevent the pillars of
the nation from such addiction? Present your views among your friends in the
class.
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Exercise
(1) Offer very short answers to the following questions.
(a) Prepare a list of any two contributions made by NORAD in Nepal.
(b) What contributions has DANIDA made in Nepal? Mention any two of them.
(c) Name any two social organisations working in your locality with their
contributions.
(2) Offer short answers to the given questions.
(a) Prepare a list of work done by the International Nepal Fellowship in Nepal.
(b) Present your view on the contributions made by the Plan Nepal for the
welfare of Nepali children.
(b) Make a list of the contribution made by the International Labour Organisation
in Nepal.
(c) What is the importance of the international organisation like Rotary
International in Nepal? Present your view in four points.
(e) IUCN is an international organisation that works in the field of nature
conservation. How can Nepal get the maximum benefit from this organisation?
Suggest any four points.
Community Work
Divide the entire class into seven groups. Each group has to prepare a short
description of one of the international organisations given in the lesson based
on the following points and present it in your classroom.
(a) Name of the organisation and date of establishment
(b) The country in which it was established
(c) Aims and objectives of the organisation
(d) Working areas of the organisation
(e) Major activities carried out by the organisation
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Lesson Identification of Social Problems
and Problem Solving Skills
4.6
Engage Yourself
What are the common social problems and evils that exist in your society? What roles
can you play in identifying and solving them? What skills do you need to solve them? We
should save ourselves and others from various social problems and evils.
Let's see pictures of social conditions that can be easily seen in Nepali society.
alcoholism smoking child marriage dowry custom
A. A Case Study of a Social Problem
Buddhi and Keshar are close friends. Buddhi has a habit of smoking cigarettes.
He forces Keshar to smoke, but Keshar does not like it.
1. What are the problems related to the given incident?
2. What are the possible solutions related to the problems in the above incident?
3. Make a list of benefits and advantages of each alternative.
4. What is the best solution among the alternatives?
5. How can the appropriate alternative be put into practice?
B. Conclusion
1. The problem related to the incident is smoking.
2. The possible solutions to the above-mentioned problem are Refuse, Accept and
Delay.
3. Advantages and Disadvantages of the solution:
Solution Advantages Disadvantages
Refuse Can refrain from the bad habit. Friends may get angry.
Do not have to be insulted at school. Chances of breaking relationship
Can have a good relationship in the
family.
Can save money.
Do not have to suffer health
problems.
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Accept Friends will be happy. Effect on health
Relationship will be stronger. Chances of falling into addiction
Chances of being insulted at school
if others know about that
Unnecessary expenses
Chances of getting involved in bad
company
Delay Suitable for that time Friends may force again.
Have time to seek other options Some friends may be aggressive.
4. Among these alternatives, refusing is the best solution for Keshar because it
has more advantages and fewer disadvantages. Keshar will be happy with this
decision.
5. However, Keshar should tell Buddhi about the negative impacts of smoking,
and suggest him not to get involved in such activity. It can be the best
implementation of the solution.
Activities
(1) Draw some pictures that reflect the condition of the children in your community
and paste them on the notice board.
(2) Organise a talk programme on the topic, "Identification of Social Problems and
Problem Solving Skill" in your classroom.
(3) Identify the problem from the given incident and write possible solutions, as
presented in the lesson.
Geeta is just 14 years old. Her parents have started holding discussions about
her marriage. However, she disagrees and wants to continue her study. She is
worried about her future and thinks that her marriage would not allow to fulfil
her dream of becoming a capable citizen and serving the nation.
Exercise
(1) Offer very short answers to the following questions.
(a) Make a list of social problems common these days in your community.
(b) How can we differentiate good and bad habits? Write in points.
(c) Write the negative effects of dowry custom in four points.
(d) “Child labour is a serious social problem in Nepal.” Justify the statement
with reasons.
Project Work
Conduct a survey in your community and identify the social problems prevalent
there. Consult with senior people, and find solutions to the identified problems.
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Unit Civic Sense
5
Introduction
Every citizen of a country should have civic consciousness. They can be ideal citizens with
the knowledge of civic consciousness. Therefore, matters related to civic consciousness are
included in the lessons of this unit to provide knowledge and develop skills and positive
attitudes regarding it to the students.
In this unit, we study about three main organs of government and their functions, formation
and functions of the constitutional bodies, and information about other constitutional
commissions. We discuss the national election process, the role of citizens in an election
and political parties and their role in establishing democracy. We get knowledge about
human rights, national, and international human rights agencies and rights of women and
indigenous nationalities. The identity of citizens and citizenship are also discussed here.
Therefore, the contents of this unit can be grouped as given below.
• Content related to organs of government, constitutional bodies, and other constitutional
commissions;
• Content that gives knowledge about the democratic practice such as the establishment
of political parties, their activities and election and its related matters; and
• Content related to citizens’ rights and identity.
Learning Outcomes
On the completion of this unit, the students will be able to:
• say about the main organs of government and power balance among them;
• tell about the formation and functions of constitutional bodies and information about
other constitutional commissions;
• explain the role of political parties in establishing democracy in Nepal;
• describe the role of the citizens in the election process;
• clarify the concept of human rights; and
• maintain their own civil identity, and tell the process of getting citizenship.
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Lesson
5.1 Legislature
Engage Yourself
What do you mean by the government? What are its organs? How do they help to carry out
the functions of government? There is a practice of the rule of law in democracy. Every
administrative work is done based on the existing law in the country. The legislature is
the organ of government that prepares the laws. The executive executes the law prepared
by the legislature. Similarly, the judiciary explains the laws prepared by legislature and
executed by executives.
(1) How is the legislative body formed? What are necessary qualifications for its
members?
(2) What is the law-making process and provincal legilature formation process in our
country?
(3) What are the functions of the legislature organ of the government?
A state is an organised community of people who reside within a certain territory.
It refers to a country considered as an organised political community controlled
by a government. Our Constitution of Nepal
defines Nepal as an independent, indivisible,
sovereign, secular, inclusive, democratic,
socialism-oriented, and federal democratic
republican state. A state consists of three
main organs: the legislature, the executive,
and the judiciary. Just as the brain, heart, and
various organs play important roles in keeping
the human body alive, these three organs are Federal parliament meeting in Nepal
essential for a state for the smooth functioning
of the state government.
The three organs of the state are complementary to each other. It means the
operation of the state is not possible without one of them. The legislature prepares
state laws. Similarly, the executive is responsible for the implementation of the
law while, the judiciary is responsible for the protection, compliance and legal
interpretation of the law.
Organs of the Government
Legislature Executive Judiciary
(House of Representative (Council of Ministers) (Supreme Court, High
and National Assembly) court and District Court)
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The constitution allocates responsibilities of the state for the legislature, the
executive, and the judiciary to stop any organ of the government from having too
much power. Such a principle or system of vesting powers of a government is called
separation of power. Each organ of the government has the authority to amend or
veto acts of another organ so as to prevent it from exerting too much power. This
system is known as the check and balance system.
Practice of Separation of Power, and Check and Balance System
The legislature can pass a vote of no-confidence against the executive with the
support of majority members in the parliament and dissolve it. Legislative can pass
impeachment against the Chief Justice and other judges in the judiciary if they do not
perform their tasks properly. The head of the executive can dissolve the legislative
if it does not support the executive. The President, on the recommendation of the
Constitutional Council headed by the Prime Minister, appoints the Chief Justice
in the judiciary. The judiciary can prevent the authorities of the legislative and the
executive if their functions are against the aspiration of the constitution and the
existing law of the state.
Legislature
The legislature is the assembly of the people's representatives. It is the supreme law-
making organ of the government. It prepares the laws and forms the government
for the welfare of the people. This organ has different names in different countries.
It is named as the parliament in Nepal, India, and the UK. Legislative is known
as Congress in the US, Diet in Japan, National Assembly in France, Majilise
Suda in Pakistan, and National People’s Congress or Assembly in China. It is
an important organ of the government that establishes the rule of law in every
democratic country.
The constitution of Nepal has the provision of bicameral Federal Legislature -;3+ Lo
Joj:yflksf_, unicameral Provincial Legislature -k|bz] Joj:yflksf_, and Local Legislature
-:yfgLo Joj:yflksf_. The federal legislature is also called the federal parliament. The
provincial parliament is called the Provincial Assembly -k|b]z ;ef_.
Legislature of Nepal
Federal Provincial Legislature Local Legislature
Legislature (Unicameral) (Unicameral )
(Bicameral) (Part 14) (Part 18
House of National Provincial Village Assembly
Representatives Assembly Assembly Municipal Assembly
The law-making body made up of two houses, or two groups of representatives is
bicameral legislature, and the unicameral legislature means a law-making body made
up of one group of representatives.
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Composition of Federal Legislature
The federal legislature of Nepal consists of two houses; the House of Representatives
(Lower House), and the National Assembly (Upper House).
The House of Representatives is composed of 275 members. Among them, 165
members are elected through the First Past the Post Electoral System, one member
each from 165 election constituency, and 110 members are elected through the
Proportional Representation Electoral System. Unless dissolved earlier, the
members of the HoR are elected for the tenure of five years.
First Past the Post system is based on the number of votes. A candidate is elected by
securing the highest number of votes against the other contestants. In the Proportional
Representation system, representatives are elected proportionally as per the votes
received by the party.
National Assembly is a permanent house of federal parliament. It consists of 59
members. Among them, 56 members are elected from an Electoral College in which
voters are the members of Provincial Assembly, chairpersons and vice-chairpersons
of Village Assembly and Mayors, and Deputy Mayors of Municipal Assembly. Eight
members are elected from each province through a single transferable vote electoral
system. Among these eight members, there should be at least three women, one
Dalit and one from persons with disabilities or minorities.
The remaining three members, including at least one woman, are nominated by the
President, on the recommendation of the Government of Nepal. The constitution
has the provision of women participation in more than one-third of seats. The tenure
of the members of the National Assembly is six years. However, one- third of the
total members retires every two years. The vacant posts of the retired members are
fulfilled through the same process through which they were selected.
Qualification for a Member of Federal Parliament
According to Article 87 of the Constitution, a person who has the following
qualifications shall be qualified to become a member of the Federal Parliament:
Must be a citizen of Nepal;
Must have completed the age of 25 and 35 years for the House of Representatives
and National Assembly respectively;
Must not be convicted of a criminal offence involving moral turpitude;
Must not be disqualified by any federal law; and
Must not hold any office of profit.
Provisions for Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives
and Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of the National Assembly
In both Houses, members shall, not later than fifteen days of the date of holding of
the first meeting of the respective houses, elect a Speaker and a Deputy Speaker (at
House of Representatives) and a Chairperson and a Vice-Chairperson (at National
Assembly) from amongst themselves. The first meeting of the houses is held under
the chairpersonship of the senior-most member in the respective houses. According
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to the provision in our constitution, there should be a representation of different
genders and political parties for the post of the heads of both houses. In the absence
of the Speaker and Chairperson, the Deputy Speaker and the Vice-Chairperson
preside the sessions of the Houses.
Federal Legislative Procedures
A bill is a draft of a proposed law presented to a parliament so that its members
can discuss on it. According to the provision in the Constitution, there is a certain
procedure for introducing, passing, and approving the bill in the federal parliament.
The procedure is discussed below.
Procedure for Introducing Bills: Any bill may be introduced in any house
of the federal parliament. But the finance bill should be presented only in the
House of Representatives. A money bill and a bill concerning a security body
including the Nepal Army, Nepal Police, and Armed Police Force, Nepal shall
be introduced only as a Government bill.
Procedures for Passage of Bills: A bill passed by any house should be sent
to the other house as soon as possible. If the receiving house passes such a bill,
it will be sent to the President for assent (final approval) after it is certified by
the Speaker or Chairperson of the house where the bill was originated.
Assent on Bills: The bill passed by both houses in the Federal Parliament is
submitted to the President for assent. Then, the President should assent it
within fifteen days and inform both houses as soon as possible.
Functions of Federal Legislature
Law Formulating Function: Formulation of laws is the primary function of the
legislature. The House of Representatives and the National Assembly prepare the
law in the Federal Parliament. The Provincial Assembly prepares the laws in the
provinces, and Village Assembly and Municipal Assembly prepare the laws at the
local level according to the spirit of the constitution. In all levels of government,
government is composed of the people’s representatives elected from among
themselves. Therefore, they prepare the laws as per people’s will and the need
of the country. A bill (proposed law) is presented, discussed, and passed in the
legislature. It is implemented as law after the final approval from the Governor.
Administrative Function: The federal and provincial executives are formed
from among the elected members of the concerned legislature. The executive is
responsible for the legislature. The executive administrates, maintains security
and carries out the development work based on the policies and programmes passed
in the legislature. The council of ministers remains in power until they are in the
confidence of the members of parliament. The legislature can question, propose
the motion to draw attention, and criticise the ministers. Therefore, the council of
ministers (cabinet) depends on the legislature for its existence.
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One-fourth of the total number of then members of the House of Representatives
can table a motion of impeachment against the President, Vice President, Chief
Justice, any other Judges of Supreme Court, head or officials of constitutional
bodies and members of the judicial council. If the two-third majority of the total
number of then members of the joint session of both houses of federal parliament
passes the impeachment against anybody, he or she shall be relieved of the office.
The impeachment of a senior official is the process of charging him or her with a crime that
makes him or her unfit for office. If a court or a group in authority impeaches a President or other
senior official, it charges them with committing a crime that makes them unfit for the post. The
Constitution of Nepal has made a provision of impeachment in Article 101.
Function related to Controlling Finance of the Country
To control the national treasury of the country is another important function of the
Legislature. It has a very important role to approve the budget prepared by the
finance minister. Practically, the executive prepares the country’s annual budget,
but it must be passed by the legislature for its execution. After the approval from
legislature, the government can impose the taxes on people and spend the budget
of the country. All democratic countries follow the principle of “No taxation without
the consent of the people’s representatives.” The government has no power to raise
and spend money without the approval of the legislature. The government can
spend money in various sectors as allocated by the parliament. Therefore, the
legislature is called the guardian or custodian of the national treasury.
Function Related to the Amendment of the Constitution
The legislature revises or updates laws as per time and need. It amends any clause
of the constitution and passes the law with the support of the two-thirds majority
in both houses in the parliament. However, the constitution cannot be amended
in a way that contradicts with self-rule of Nepal, sovereignty, territorial integrity,
and sovereignty vested in the people.
Formation of Provincial Legislature (Part 14, Article 175)
There is a unicameral legislature in each province of Nepal. It is called Provincial
Assembly -kb| ]z ;ef_. Every Provincial Assembly consists of the following members.
a. Members equal to the double of the members elected for the House of
Representatives from the respective province through the First Past the Post
(FPTP) electoral system.
b. Its sixty per cent members are elected through FPTP, and the remaining forty
per cent members are elected from the proportional electoral system.
For example, if any province has 30 members elected for the Federal House of
Representatives (or 30 constituencies) through the FPTP electoral system, there
are 60 members for Provincial Assembly through this electoral system. Then, the
remaining 40 members are elected through the Proportional Electoral System.
Then, the province has 100 members in its parliament. The provincial legislature
prepares the laws for their own respective province based on constitution and
federal law.
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Activities
(1) What are the procedures to conduct the meeting of the House of
Representatives? Find out in a group, and act out the role of the speaker and
other members in the meeting of parliament.
(2) Discuss in the class and write about the bill, First-Past-the-Post (FTTP) electoral
system, Proportional Election System, and motion of no confidence.
Exercise
(1) Give short answers to the following questions.
(a) “The three organs of the state are complementary to each other.” Justify
this statement.
(b) Why is the legislature known as the law-making organ of the government?
How does it make laws?
(c) Write down the qualifications required to be a member of the federal
legislative in Nepal.
(d) Explain the separation of power, and the check and balance among the
three organs of the government in Nepal.
(e) The decision of the majority is recognised in democracy, but that of the
minority should also be respected. Why?
(f) Why is the legislature also called the guardian or custodian of the national
treasury? Justify.
(g) “Legislature is the most important organ among the three organs of
government.” Justify this statement in your own words.
(h) Write the names of the current speaker and deputy speaker of the House of
Representatives. How are they elected? What are their roles in the house?
Mention.
(2) Give long answers to the following questions.
(a) What is federal legislature? Describe the formation of the federal parliament
according to the present constitution of Nepal.
(b) Describe the procedure of law formulation according to the present
constitution and clarify in four points how the law formulated by legislature
is important.
(c) Compose a dialogue between two friends discussing the functions of the
federal legislature.
Project Work
The legislature is known as the parliament in many countries, including Nepal.
What is it called in other countries? Search on the internet and prepare a list
of at least ten countries.
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Lesson
5.2 Executive
Engage Yourself
Who is the present Prime Minister of our country? What does the council of ministers led
by him or her do? Who are the heads of provincial executive and local level executives?
The village executive and the municipal executive are the local level executives. There is a
provincial executive in each province. All executives carry out the executive functions of
government from their own levels.
(1) How are the federal, provincial and local governments formed?
(2) What are the main functions of the federal executive?
The executive is the organ of the government that is responsible for putting the laws
prepared by the legislature into effect. This part of the government carries out the
entire administrative activities of the country and makes plans and policies. The
other names of the executive are the government, cabinet, or Council of Ministers.
The executive power of Nepal is vested in the
Council of Ministers headed by the Prime
Minister in accordance with the constitution
and law. The executive branch of government
includes the President, the Prime Minister, the
Council of Ministers or Cabinet, constitutional
and statutory bodies, and the bureaucracy,
comprising various personnel services, formed
to carry out executive functions. The President, Singha Durbar
as head of state, does not perform day-to-day
executive functions but she or he is a part of the executive branch. The Council
of Ministers has the responsibility of issuing general directives, controlling and
regulating the governance in Nepal. The present constitution of our country has
the provision of three levels of the executive; Federal Executive at the centre,
Provincial Executive at provinces, and Local Executive at local levels.
Federal Executive
The form of the federal government of Nepal is a multi-party, competitive, federal,
democratic, republican, parliamentary form of government based on pluralism.
The Federal Executive or Council of Ministers is an executive body under the
leadership of the Prime Minister at the centre.
It comprises a maximum of twenty-five ministers, including the Prime Minister.
The President appoints the leader of the political party, which has got the majority
in the Federal House of Representatives as the Prime Minister, and a Council
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of Ministers is constituted under his or her chairpersonship. The President also
appoints other ministers such as Deputy Prime Minister, Cabinet Ministers, State
Ministers, and Assistant Ministers on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. All
the ministers are selected from amongst the members of the Federal Parliament in
accordance with the inclusive principle. However, there is a provision of appointing
a person who is not a member of parliament as a minister on the Prime Minister's
recommendation. But, the minister appointed under this provision must obtain
membership of federal parliament within six months of taking the oath of office.
Functions of Federal Executive
Legislative Function: Although the main function of the executive is to implement
the laws prepared by the legislature, it also makes laws as per need. It prepares
and implements the policies and directives based on the existing law in the country.
They work as laws in the country. It implements ordinance through the President,
on the recommendation of the Council of Ministers when there is no session of the
parliament. The ordinance also works as law. It refers to the law prepared by the
government at the time of emergency. It has the same force and effect as an act.
However, the ordinance should be passed by the parliament in the first session
after the ordinance is implemented. Otherwise, it will be invalid.
Administrative Function: The major responsibility of the executive is to conduct
daily administration of the country based on the laws prepared by the legislature. It
maintains stability, peace and order, and the rule of law in the nation. It appoints,
transfers, promotes and dismisses the heads and other officials in the different
executive departments such as civil, police and army. Besides these, preparing
policies and programmes of the state, supervising, conducting and directing the
daily administration and maintaining good governance are other functions of the
executive.
Diplomatic Function : The functions concerned with diplomatic relation and co-
operation with other countries of the world is the diplomatic function of the executive.
Preparation of foreign policies, the establishment of the diplomatic relationship,
negotiation of various kinds of treaties and agreements and declaration of the wars
come under the diplomatic function of the executive. The executive appoints the
ambassadors and other diplomatic agents to foreign nations.
Financial Function : The executive is responsible for controlling the financial
administration of the country. The Finance Minister prepares and presents the
annual national budget in the parliament for approval. It implements the passed
budget to carry out the development and administrative work of the country. It
imposes new tax, changes taxation rate, takes loans from other countries, spends
the amount for the welfare of the people, and mobilises revenue with the consent
of the parliament.
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Military Function: The Prime Minister is the head of the National Security Council
according to a provision in the constitution of Nepal. The council recommends the
Council of Ministers to formulate policies for Nepal’s overall national interest,
security and defence. It also recommends the Government of Nepal for mobilisation
of Nepal army. It is the primary responsibility of the executive to protect Nepal from
foreign attacks. The executive can also mobilise the Nepal Army in development,
construction, and disaster management work.
Similarly, the President is the supreme-commander-in-chief of the Nepal Army. The
President can appoint and dismiss the Chief of the Army on the recommendation of
the National Security Council and the decision of the Government of Nepal.
The National Security Council -/fli6o« ;'/Iff kl/ifb\_ has the following members under the
chairpersonship of the Prime Minister.
• Minister of Defence of the Federal Executive;
• Minister of Home Affairs of the Federal Executive;
• Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Executive;
• Minister of Finance of the Federal Executive;
• Chief Secretary of the Federal Executive; and
• Commander-in-Chief of Nepal Army.
Other Functions
Besides the functions mentioned above, the executive also prepares national
strategies by evaluating the means and resources, develops various infrastructures
such as education, health and drinking water and work related to other public
welfare.
Provincial Executive
The executive power of the province is vested in the Provincial Executive or Provincial
Council of Ministers. The Governor of the respective province constitutes the
provincial executive consisting of the ministers not exceeding 20% of total members
in the provincial parliament. There is a provision to appoint the Chief Minister
and other ministers, just like the provision of appointing the Prime Minister and
other ministers in the federal executive. The Governor appoints the leader of the
party commanding a majority in the Provincial Parliament as the Chief Minister.
Other ministers are appointed by the Governor on the recommendation of the Chief
Minister on the basis of inclusive principle. The provincial Council of Ministers has
the responsibility of issuing directives, controlling and regulating the governance
of the respective province.
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Activities
(1) Here are pictures of the Rt. Honourable Prime Ministers after People’s
movement-II, 2062/2063 BS. Identify them and write their names.
(2) Demonstrate the meeting of the Council of Ministers in your classroom. Act
out the roles of Education Minister, Minister of Home Affairs, Minister of
Women, Children and Senior Citizen, and Minister of Foreign Affairs.
(3) Consult and study the present constitution of Nepal. Get more information
about federal, provincial and local executives, and share your findings in the
class.
Exercise
(1) Give short answers to the following questions.
(a) Differentiate between the federal executive and the provincial executive in
four points.
(b) How can you help the government personally as a good student? Write in
four points.
(c) How will you fulfil your responsibility if you get the chance to become a
minister of Nepal’s Government? Write in four points.
(d) “Executive is an important organ of the government.” Justify this statement.
(2) Give long answers to the following questions.
(a) Make a list of the major functions of the federal executive and elaborate on
any three of them in brief.
(b) Explain the formation of the federal and provincial executive in Nepal.
Project Work
Who are the current members of the Council of Ministers in the present
government? Collect their names and portfolio, and present them in your
class.
(Visit https://www.opmcm.gov.np/en/cabinet for your reference.)
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Lesson
5.3 Judiciary
Engage Yourself
What do you know about the judiciary in our country? Do you think the judiciary in our
country is independent, competent and impartial? Judiciary is the guardian of the law,
which explains the law and punishes the lawbreakers. If our right is violated, we should
go to court for justice.
(1) What are the tiers of court in Nepal? How can you say that the judiciary is an important
organ of the government?
(2) What are the functions of the judiciary? What is the selection process of the Chief
Judge of the Supreme Court and the judges of the High Court?
Judiciary is an important organ of government that explains the laws prepared by
the legislature and executed by the executive. All the courts at different levels in a
country put together is known as the judiciary. It gives justice to innocent people,
punishes criminals, interprets the laws, and protects the fundamental and human
rights of people.
Need for the Judiciary
Judiciary interprets laws prepared by the legislature and executed by the executive,
and help in maintaining the rule of law in the country. It provides justice to innocent
people and punishes the people who violate the law. It performs several legal works
such as judicial review, punishing the lawbreakers, safeguarding fundamental
rights of people, and protecting the human rights of people. Therefore, it is also
known as the guardian of the law.
The rule of law refers to a situation in which the people and government in a country
obey its laws and enable it to function properly. Judicial review is the process in which
a decision made by a government department or other public organisation is examined
by a court of law to decide whether it was right or not.
An independent, impartial, and competent judiciary is essential for democracy.
Judiciary is a part of the democratic process. It does not only administer justice
but also protects the rights of the citizens, and act as an interpreter and guardian
of the constitution. It sustains peace, order, and good government. Citizens look
to the judiciary to uphold their rights, and the government looks to the courts to
interpret laws. Thus, judiciary is the highly respected organ of the state.
Tiers of Courts in Nepal
According to Part 11 of our constitution, there are three tiers (levels or layers) of
the court to perform the judicial tasks in Nepal. They are:
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1. Supreme Court (At the centre)
2. High Court (In each province)
3. District Court (In each district)
Besides these courts, various judicial bodies are formed at the local levels with
the aim of encouraging and facilitating peace-building processes and solving local
disputes according to need and demand.
Supreme Court:
In the judicial hierarchy, the Supreme Court is the Supreme Court
apex court in Nepal. All the courts and judicial bodies
except as otherwise provided in the constitution are
under this court. It is a court of records as its decisions
are recorded for perpetual memory and testimony. The
constitution has provided it with the final authority
to interpret the constitution and law. Supreme Court
inspects, supervises and give necessary directives
to the courts and other judicial institutions under it
regarding judicial administration or management.
The Supreme Court has a maximum of 20 permanent judges in addition to the
Chief Justice of Nepal. A maximum of ten temporary judges can be appointed for
a certain period in case of the number of justices is inadequate because of the
increase of the number of cases in the Supreme Court.
The President appoints the Chief Justice on the recommendation of the
Constitutional Council and other judges on the recommendation of the Judicial
Council. A Nepali citizen who has worked as a judge in the Supreme Court for at
least three years is eligible for the appointment of the Chief Justice. The tenure of
the office for the Chief Justice is six years from the date of their appointment. He
or she retires at the age of 65 years.
High Court
According to the provision given in the present High Court
constitution, there is a High Court in each province.
Every High Court has a Chief Judge and other judges
as specified by the federal law. On the recommendation
of the Judicial Council, the Chief Judge appoints all
the judges in the High Courts. They retire at the age
of 63 years.
Any Nepali citizen graduated in law who has fulfilled one of the following criteria is
eligible for the appointment of the Chief Judge and other judges of High Courts, or
worked as a District Judge for at least five years, or
practised as a law graduate senior advocate or advocate for at least ten years,
or
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has either taught law or conducted research thereon or worked in any other
field of law or justice for at least ten years, or
worked in any post of first-class gazette officer of the Judicial Service for a
period of at least five years.
District Court
District Court is the lowest tier of court in Nepal. District Court
There is a district court in every district of Nepal. It
inspects, supervises, and issues necessary instructions
to all the local level judicial institutions which come
under it. The Chief Justice, on the recommendation
of the Judicial Council, appoints the judges of District
Courts. The retirement age of the judges in district
courts is 63 years.
Specialised Courts:
There are also specialised courts and tribunals such as the Labour Court, the Revenue
Tribunal, the Debt Recovery Tribunal and Special Court, Domestic Violence Court, etc. in
Nepal. They are considered to be in the same tier as the high courts.
Functions of Judiciary
Judiciary is a highly reputed organ of the government. It is the strong pillar of
democracy. The main functions of the judiciary are as given below.
• Judicial Function
The main function of the judiciary is to give justice to the people based on
the existing law of the country. Judiciary gives verdicts on both civil and criminal
cases. This helps to give justice to innocent people and punishes the offenders.
• Interpretation of Law
Our constitution has given the final power to interpret the constitution and
the existing laws of the country. The Supreme Court offers verdicts by explaining
the meaning and spirit of the law. Therefore, its verdicts become the bases to give
the decision on similar cases in the future.
• Protection of Right and Freedom of the People
The constitution provides various fundamental rights to the citizens. It also
has the provision about the right to constitutional remedy. The people whose rights
are violated can go the court to restore their violated rights. Thus, the judiciary is
the only organ which can safeguard the right and freedom of the people.
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• Advisory Function
The judiciary provides necessary advice to the legislative and executive bodies
on critical legal matters. It is the major responsibility of the judiciary to provide
advice to the head of the government and the head of the state on constitutional
and legal issues if needed.
Additional Reading Materials
Judiciary gives verdicts on both civil and criminal cases. The differences between civil
and criminal cases are given below.
Civil case Criminal case
Civil cases usually involve private Criminal cases involve an action that is
disputes between persons or considered to be harmful to society as
organisations. a whole.
Some examples of civil cases are Some examples of criminal cases are
property disputes, personal injury murder, robbery, assault, rape, etc.
claims, divorce cases, property damage,
minor legal sues, etc.
In civil cases, cases are initiated (suits In criminal cases, only the state
are filed) by a private party (called government (the prosecution) may
plaintiff) and cases are usually decided initiate a case, and cases are almost
by a judge (though serious cases may always decided by a jury.
involve juries).
Punishment almost always consists of Charges often consist of imprisonment
compensation and never consists of but may also include a fine paid to the
imprisonment. government in civil cases.
Constitutional Council
Article 284 of the Constitution of Nepal has the provision of forming the Constitutional
Council under the leadership of the Prime Minister. It is formed for the appointment
of the Chiefs and officials of the Constitutional Bodies and the Chief Justice of the
Supreme Court. It consists of the following Chairperson and members.
(a) Prime Minister Chairperson
(b) Chief Justice Member
(c) Speaker of House of Representatives Member
(d) Chairperson of National Assembly Member
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