Nova Social Studies 5

NOVA

Social Studies
And

Creative Arts

Grade 5

Author
Binod Kumar Pathak

NOVA

Publication

NOVA PUBLICATION

Satungal, Kathmandu

<< Nova Social Studies And Creative Arts Grade-5 1

Social Studies
And
Creative Arts
Grade-5

NOVA

Publication

Price :

Edition : First 2018

Layout : Image Graphic

Printed in Nepal

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

2 Nova Social Studies And Creative Arts Grade-5 >>

Preface

‘Social Studies and Creative Arts – Grade Five’ interests the students due to
its practical approach of guiding them to learn the fundamental rules and
regulations which govern our family, society and nation. Right from the first
lesson till the end, students have creative involvement with different kinds of
academic activities such as arts, drawings, tricks along with tpractical exercises.
This book has incorporated the contents which go well with the emotional and
perceptive growth of students at Grade-Five level. This is the age when children
are deeply connected with family. School is the second best place for learning
like home. The present textbook has all the ingredients to make teaching and
learning of social studies a productive exercise full of contemplation and
develop healthy emotional outlook towards social problems. Each lesson
contains exercises involving creative art and activities, debate and discussion,
and role playing. Under the guidance of teachers, students learn to become
more expressive and develop more capabilities at cognitive and emotional level
as they go through the lessons. The exercises at the end of every lesson make
them much more capable to reason with different ideas and concepts. Students
love to share their emotions with friends, family members and teachers at this
age. I expect the teachers to be cooperative with the students while teaching
the lessons and show patience in answering the questions raised by them. At
the same time, students are expected to go through each lesson to get prepared
before and after the same it is taught in the classroom.

I thank Nova Publication Pvt. Ltd. for bringing this book in print form and
make it available in your hand. Mr. Megh Raj Poudel, the Managing Director
of this publishing house has been very helpful to arrange for all the technical
assistance which I demanded from him. I sincerely thank Mr. Birendra Shrestha
for being very cooperative with me to plug the loopholes of design related
matters and make it look attractive to all of us.

Date: March 18, 2018 Author
Chaitra 4, 2074 Binod Kumar Pathak


<< Nova Social Studies And Creative Arts Grade-5 3

Table of Contents Page
1
UNIT 1: ME, MY FAMILY AND NEIGHBOURS 2
6
Lesson 1: My Neighbours and Their Occupations 10
Lesson 2: Dealings with Neighbours 14
Lesson 3: Helping the Community 18
Lesson 4: Equal Treatment 22
Lesson 5: Understand Others 23
27
UNIT: 2 OUR TRADITIONS, SOCIAL NORMS AND VALUES 31
35
Lesson 1: Our Traditions 39
Lesson 2: Our Languages and Costumes 42
Lesson 3: Our Festivals 43
Lesson 4: Our Country Our Pride
Lesson 5: Good People of Our District 47

UNIT: 3 SOCIAL PROBLEMS AND THEIR SOLUTIONS 52
56
Lesson 1: Keep Away from Bad Habits 59
Lesson 2: MPriostdeecetdiosn from Theft, Robbery and Other 62
Lesson 3: Don’t Imitate Blindly
Lesson 4: Cooperation
Lesson 5: Social Organizations
Lesson 6: Role of Our Local Bodies

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UNIT: 4 CIVIC SENSE 65
66
Lesson 1: Our Rights 69
Lesson 2: Our Duties 72
Lesson 3: Our National Heritage 75
Lesson 4: Our Social Rules and Regulations
Lesson 5: FDuisntcrtiicotnCs oordination Committee and Its 78
Lesson 6: Equal Treatment and Mutual Cooperation
82
UNIT: 5 OUR EARTH 85
86
Lesson 1: Physical Features of Nepal 90
Lesson 2: Climate and Life Style of Nepal 94
Lesson 3: Natural Vegetation of Nepal 97
Lesson 4:The Soil of Our Country 100
Lesson 5: Let’s Draw a Map 104
Lesson 6: Symbols Used in a Map 108
Lesson 7: Globe and Maps 111
Lesson 8: Our Neighbouring Countries – Part I 115
Lesson 9: Our Neighbouring Countries – Part II 119
120
UNIT: 6 OUR PAST 125
129
Lesson 1: Historical Objects of Our Community 133
Lesson 2: Historical Personalities of Our Community
Lesson 3: Ancient Nepal
Lesson 4: Our National Heroes – Part I

<< Nova Social Studies And Creative Arts Grade-5 5

Lesson 5: Our National Heroes – Part II 137
Lesson 6: Our National Heroes – Part III 140
Lesson 7: Our Head of State and the Head of Government 145
148
UNIT: 7 OUR ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES 149
152
Lesson 1: Dolpa District - Occupation of the People 155
Lesson 2: School Property 158
Lesson 3: National Production 161
Lesson 4: Use of National Products 165
Lesson 5: Economic Activities of Our Country 166
167
CREATIVE ART 168
169
Lesson 1: Draw Pictures 170
Lesson 2: Draw Pictures through Geometrical Shapes 171
Lesson 3: Presentation through Colours 172
Lesson 4:Wall Painting 174
Lesson 5: Stone Art 176
Lesson 6: Festoons of Colourful Papers 179
Lesson 7: Art of Storytelling 181
Lesson 8:WriteYour Thoughts and Daily Events
Lesson 9: Plant Trees and Learn Gardening
Lesson 10: Learn How to Dance
Lesson 11: Dance in a circular Motion

6 Nova Social Studies And Creative Arts Grade-5 >>

UNIT

1

Me, My Family
and Neighbours

Lesson 1: My Neighbours and their Occupations 1
Lesson 2: Dealings with Neighbours
Lesson 3: Helping the Community
Lesson 4: Equal Treatment
Lesson 5: Understand Others

<< Nova Social Studies And Creative Arts Grade-5

Lesson 1 My Neighbours and their
Occupations

I am Govind Sen from Udaypur District of Nepal. I am the student of
Grade-5 in a school located in Triyuga. Triyuga is also known as Gaighat.
Triyuga is a city famous for thriving service sectors. Trained professionals
work in these service sectors which cover education, healthcare, transport,
communication and media. Besides, Triyuga attracts fair numbers of tourists
every year. Tourism provides employment to a lot of people. Tourists love
to watch natural scenic beauty of Udaypur district. Triyuga Valley is the
largest one in entire eastern Nepal. It is full of natural beauty. Triyuga
River and Baruwa River flow through my town. Tourist guides and ‘home
stay’ arrangement for outside visitors support the local economy. Historic
kingdom of Sen dynasty thrived here in the past.

Rudra Bahadur Karki lives next door. He is a banker and works as a
branch manager in Agriculture Development Bank. He has recommended
agricultural loans to some of my neighbours who grow vegetables in
suburban areas. Hari Kaka and his wife Sujata Kaki have their own vegetable
farms where they work every day. Mohani Didi lost her father in her early
days. She was helped by Mr. Rudra Bahadur by extending agricultural
loan to her. Now Mohani Didi is an inspiration for others because she used
the loan to become a successful farmer.

Hari Kaka in his farm Mohani Didi growing vegetable

I go to take tuitions of Mathematics and science from a retired teacher
Shree Kali Prasad Parajuli. He is a friend of my grandfather. His son and

2 Nova Social Studies And Creative Arts Grade-5 >>

daughter-in-law are also teachers. There is a local medicine shop hundred

meters away from my house. My friend Devendra Khatri rarely goes to

hospital because his mother Tilu Maya BK works as a nurse. His father

Ashok BK is a doctor. His parents diagnose the diseases when he falls sick.
My neighbours are involved in other semi skilled works too. Bindu Didi
runs a tailoring center while Bhuwan Kaka is a grocer. I visit both of them to

get my dresses and to buy food items. My neighbours’ occupations make

my life easier because they contribute to our society through their works.

Bindu Didi in her tailoring center A local medicine shop

Teaching Guideline

Ask the students to make a list of different kinds of occupations (and professions) and explain to
them about the nature and scope of the occupation (and profession). Assign a task to students to
identify the occupations of their neighbours and explain the significance of these occupations.

Words and terms you would like to know

Occupation: the job by which somebody earns a living
Grocer: an owner or manager of a store selling food and other household goods
Home Stay Scheme: Home stay initiative provides economical accommodation to foreign
tourists. Under this concept, a person having large accommodation can provide rooms on rent
to tourists so that they get a taste of the local culture and food.

Exercise
1. Answer the following questions.

(a) Who is a neighbour?

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<< Nova Social Studies And Creative Arts Grade-5 3

(b) Differentiate between transportation and communication?

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(c) Differentiate between a farmer and barber?

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(d) Differentiate between a tailor and a cobbler?

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(e) What is the job of a plumber?

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2. What are the occupations your neighbours involved in? Mention the
nature and importance of each occupation.

3. What are the benefits you get from your neighbour’s occupations?
Write it in the table below.

Neighbour’s Occupations Benefits

4 Nova Social Studies And Creative Arts Grade-5 >>

4. What occupations do your parents and other family members follow?
Do you like their occupations? Explain by giving reasons.

5. You visit to a big hotel, zoo, museum, bank, Shopping Mall, Cinema
Hall and a bus stand. Observe the economic activities carefully. Take
down your notes of a web of jobs being done there. Arrange them
properly on a chart paper and display it in the classroom.

6. What do you see in the pictures shown below? Explain it in five
sentences.

A B

A. ....................................................................................................................
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B. ....................................................................................................................
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<< Nova Social Studies And Creative Arts Grade-5 5

Lesson 2 Dealings with Neighbours

Neighbours are the ones who live around your house. Good neighbours
give us great company and are always helpful in time of need. Robert Lee
Frost (March 26, 1874 – January 29, 1963) an American poet wrote, “Good
fences make good neighbours”. It means that a good neighbour honors our
privacy and sentiments. A good neighbour never crosses the fences of our
culture, language and aspirations by putting obstacles in front of us. At the
same time, a good neighbour helps us live in peace and provides safety,
support and right advice to us. This is why Robert Frost said, “Before I
built a wall I would ask to know what I was walling in or walling out.
Something there is that doesn’t love a wall and wants it down” Wall
here indicates arrange of negative emotions like hatred, prejudice and
intolerance shown towards neighbours. It is essential to learn how to deal
with our neighbours.
My name is Mukti Pradhan. I am a student of Grade-5. I live in Bhaktapur
district, Kathmandu Valley. I respect my neighbours and greet them
with folded hands by saying ‘NAMASTE’ to them. Senior citizens in my
neighbourhood show affection towards me and in turn I pay my gratitude
by saying DARSHAN to them. I have learnt these gestures of greetings
from my parents.

Greet your neighbours regularly when they come face to face.

I have many friends from my neighbourhood. Some of them study in
the same school where I study. Some of them are from different schools.
We have a community ground where we play together both in morning
and evening. Sohan, Brinda, Bhuwan, Sakshi, Salim, Julia and Dristi are

6 Nova Social Studies And Creative Arts Grade-5 >>

from my age group while Kishan and Govind are older than me. Pankaj
and Dilshad are younger to me. All of us enjoy the activities full of fun
and play in a group. We play several sports such as cricket, football, kite
flying, swinging together. Our guardians and parents are always present
in the community ground when we play together. They invite me on their
family festivals. I invite them on my birthday and other festivals. We
enjoy our times together under the guidance and protection of responsible
neighbours. Quality of our community life has improved a lot because of
mutual cooperation and respectshown by the neighbours.

It is a fun to play with the friends living in neighbourhood under the protection of an elder.

Teaching Guideline

Teach the students how to be courteous and well behaved with people of all age groups living
in their neighbourhood. Adopt the method of role playing in the classroom to give a message
across the students regarding benefits and behaviours of good neighbours. Explain to them
why it is important to become a good neighbour before we expect our neighbours to be good
to us.

Words and terms you would like to know

Greeting: a cordial and often conventional gesture or expression used when welcoming,
meeting, or addressing somebody
Prejudice: an unfounded hatred, fear, or mistrust of a person or group, especially one of a
particular religion, ethnicity, nationality, sexual preference, or social status
Intolerance: unwillingness or refusal to accept people who are different from you, or views,
beliefs, or lifestyles that differ from your own

Exercise

1. Read the following passage:

After a period of time neighbours get closer to become like any other
relative. They stand with us during crisis or a problem we face. They
are happy for us when we get success and celebrate the moments. Just
imagine a new neighbour has shifted to your residential colony. How

<< Nova Social Studies And Creative Arts Grade-5 7

do you react or respond? “Hey, someone new is moving in our colony”.
Do you stand behind window and twitch your curtains? Some people
do not approach the neighbour first unless it is very essential. Others do
not bother at all what is happening to their neighbours. They even do
not greet their neighbours. I am Ankita Parajuli. I have a neighbour who
never responds to a greeting like ‘Good Morning Sir”. Nor does he say
“Good Morning” when he sees us. My grandfather is totally different
in this regard. He makes an attempt to know all the neighbours living
nearby. He establishes good mutual relationships with them. Having
a bad neighbour is a threat to protection and safety of both human life
and property. Bad neighbours are not trustworthy and they put the
residential colony in a danger. A trustworthy neighbour is a priceless
asset. Such a good neighbour inform you or a police when someone
suspicious loitering around the residential colony.

Now, answer the following questions:

(a) Point out any four qualities of a good neighbour.

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(b) Do you have good neighbours? Explain their behaviours (deeds)
that make them good neighbours.

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(c) How do you recognize an individual to be a bad neighbour?

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8 Nova Social Studies And Creative Arts Grade-5 >>

(d) Do you have bad neighbours? Explain their behaviours (deeds)
that make them bad neighbours.

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(e) How do you and your family members behave with neighbours?
Explain with examples.

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2. How do you greet your neighbours who are younger to you, older to
you and those who are of same age group?

3. Mark the statement right (√ ) if it is correct and mark it wrong (X) if
it is just incorrect.

(a) Good Neighbours do not involve themselves in resolving issues
(problems) in the community and keep themselves detached.

(b) Imagine if you are taken ill or fell down. There is nobody around
to help you. You call a Didi -- your neighbour for help. She picks
up your phone and refuses to come to your help. She says that it
is your personal matter. She is a good neighbour and you should
respect her.

(c) A good neighbour keeps an eye on your house for safety if you are
out on a vacation.

(d) A good neighbour keeps you confused and takes advantage of you.

(e) You never know when you’ll need to borrow a cup of ‘sugar ’
from your neighbour. So, keep a good relation with your
neighbours.

(f) A bad neighbour is misfortune, as much as a good one is a great

blessing.

<< Nova Social Studies And Creative Arts Grade-5 9

Lesson 3 Helping the Community

Human beings live in a community. Community is an organized social
group of people living together with common norms, religion, values or
identity. Community is the combination of two Latin words 'cam' means
“coming together” and 'munis' means ‘to serve’. In this way, community
means ‘serving together’. Serving or helping the community is the essential
part of being its member. Community provides environment of growth for
its members. If community is poor or backward then the present and future
prospects of success of its members will remain stuck (or stagnant). In such
a scenario, community members will not be able to develop progressive
outlook in their life. It is very essential for each and every community
member to work together for its overall development. Basic and essential
services such as education, healthcare, cleanliness, security, transportation
and communication must reach to every member of community.

Ramnath belongs to Musahar community and lives in Saptari district. His
other community members Sohanlal, Mrinalini, Lakshaman, Brinda and
others are working sincerely to help improve the socio-economic conditions
of their community members. Most of the Musahar people reside in huts
guarded by ‘taati’ (walls made of bamboo sticks) balanced the earthen
floor. They are socially and economically backward. Manual labour is the
chief source of income for members of the Musahar community. Most of
them work in the farmland. Ramnath and his friends are working towards
uplifting the conditions of members of Musahar community.

Volunteers are promoting scientific and progressive thoughts in Musahar community.

As being shown in above pictures, volunteers are helping the children of
Musahar community by giving them skill training, and self- confidence.

10 Nova Social Studies And Creative Arts Grade-5 >>

Awareness program is organized to end the social evil of untouchability
in this region. Facilities like hospitals, high schools, libraries, clubs, post-
office and telephones are being provided to bring the Musahar community
in the mainstream society. Social workers use radio, TV and other mass
media to develop scientific thoughts and modern ideas amongst the youth
of Musahar community.

Amir Sir comes from Chepang community. He recounts his difficult days
when he was a child. He didn’t have any facility to continue his school
study. He remembers clearly how his father had made a request to a foreign
tourist, “If you can only get us a small fund, we will help my child complete
his school study”. Amir Sir is a social worker now. He works to improve
the life conditions of the people belonging to Chepang community. He has
volunteers whom he has trained to help the community members. Chepangs
live in the south-central region of Nepal: Gorkha, Dhading, Makwanpur
and Chitwan. They are known to lead a semi-nomadic lifestyle. At present,
majority of them work in agricultural fields while others survive on fishing,
hunting, trapping birds and gathering wild tuber from community forests.

Amir Sir says, “Our community is associated with three Cha (r): Chepang,

Chiuri and Chamera.” Amir Sir is working hard to organize their local
economic activities in order to make their livelihood easier and convenient.
Chepangs in general are marginalized in Nepal. They are impoverished
class in general. Amir Sir and his team members are extending their full
support to improve their conditions of life.

A Samaritan helping a poor chepang girl Members of Chepang Community

Teaching Guideline

Tell the students how the help extended to local communities in Nepal improve the conditions
of life of the people. Share the types of help needed to uplift the social and economic status of
indigenous ethnic groups of Nepal.

11<< Nova Social Studies And Creative Arts Grade-5

Words and terms you would like to know

Norms: a standard pattern of behaviour that is considered normal in a society
Outlook: an attitude or point of view
Trap: to catch something or someone; to put somebody in a situation from which it is difficult
or impossible to escape
Toil: to work long and hard
Semi-nomadic: a human being who lives a life of wanderer for fairly long time in his life and
practice basic economic activities like hunting, gathering and so on
Untouchability: an evil practice that discriminates against a person and refuses to share
anything with him or her because that person is said to have taken birth in a particular
community or caste
Chiuri: It is a tree which produces cream-coloured flowers during the winter months. It
attracts swarms of bees. The fruits of this multipurpose tree that ripen in early summer can
also be used to extract ghee, pulp and juice. This is why it is also called Nepali Butter Tree.
Chamera: the bats are called Chamera in Nepali. The Chepang people have trapped bats for
ages. They lay wide nets all over the forest to trap Chamera.

Exercise
1. Look at the following two pictures and explain the activities being

shown there. Do these activities take place in your community? Write
the details.

A B

A. ....................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................

B. ....................................................................................................................

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12 Nova Social Studies And Creative Arts Grade-5 >>

2. What helps do you and your family members offer to the development
of your community?

3. There are village councils in rural areas, municipal corporations and
municipalities in the urban areas of Nepal. Where do you live in
urban or rural Nepal? Highlight the specific problems and challenges
of rural and urban Nepal? Also, suggest the ways to solve those
problems and challenges.

4. What are the pacific problems and challenges of urban areas of
Nepal? Suggest the ways to overcome them.

5. Which community do you belong to? What are its specific features?
Make a list of problems being faced by your community people that
need urgent attention.

13<< Nova Social Studies And Creative Arts Grade-5

Lesson 4 Equal Treatment

Social equality advocates for civil rights, freedom of speech and property
rights for all classes and groups of people in a society. Nepal is a multi-
ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-lingual society. There are still some ethnic
communities in Nepal waiting for improvement in their socio-economic
conditions. The principle of equal treatment ensures social equality to all
the classes, groups and castes in a society and provides equal opportunity
to them. Equal treatment means giving equal opportunities to all the social
classes and groups for developing their abilities and skills in order to stand
up with dignity in life.

Equal treatment means equal opportunities to all which opposes discrimination of any kind.

It is of course true that marginalized ethnic and caste groups in Nepal need
improvement in their social and economic conditions. And it is possible
only through equal treatment to all the ethnic and caste groups. People from
marginalized groups in Nepal are called Dalits. Besides, Nepalese women
are also getting less opportunities in the fields of education, occupational
choice, and decision-making within the house and outside. Dalit women in
Nepal suffer the most in all these areas compared to women of other castes.

Maniram Malli, a 83 years old man, belongs to Dom caste and lives in a
village of Rautahat District with his family. He has suffered all his life due
to social evil of untouchability and suppression imposed by the dominant
caste groups. He does not want his grandchildren and future generations
from his community to suffer due to the caste they are born in. People
belonging to Dom caste are not invited to any festival or ceremonies held
in the village. Their women and children are not allowed to participate
in development activities with other villagers. Hariram, son of Maniram,

14 Nova Social Studies And Creative Arts Grade-5 >>

stood up in protest against all kinds of discrimination based on gender, caste
and ethnicity. He was supported by other ‘social welfare organizations’.
Just recently, Dom community members organized a protest rally to have
access to all public places like school, market, temple, and village well (or
pond). At present, members of Dom community have asserted their human
rights and they are enjoying social equality. Their children play with other
children and attend the classes together with other children in a village
school. This is the example of equal treatment in public places. Damais,
Sarkis and Kamis in the hilly region also went through similar plight of
discrimination just as Dom caste had suffered in the Tarai region of Nepal.

Equal treatment does not allow any discrimination or favouritism on any ground.

Dhanamaya, a Brahmin woman, became widow some 20 years ago after the
death of her husband. She had two male children below five years of age
at the time of death of her husband. She suffered discrimination after the
death of her husband. She was asked to leave the place without any share
in the husband’s property. She was totally helpless and struggled to set up
her own hut with two small children. She demanded a share in the land
property to bring up her two children but her father-in-law and brother-in-
law refused to give any share to her. She approached a local administration
for help and a court case was filed to get back her share of property. At
last, she got her due rights to property by the intervention of court. This
is the example of gender justice where a woman was not allowed to be
suppressed and crushed by greedy and dishonest family members.
It is our duty to be alert in all spheres of life against any kinds of
discrimination and unfair treatment meted out to us in a society.
Teaching Guideline

Explain to the student how important it is to practise equal treatment to people around us placed
in an equal circumstance. Tell them how equal treatment in public places play contributory
roles in maintain law and justice in a society.

15<< Nova Social Studies And Creative Arts Grade-5

Words and terms you would like to know

Plight: unfortunate conditions in life
Suppression: forceful prevention
Go through: to undergo hardship or difficulties, usually in stages and over a period of time;
to examine or inspect something very carefully
Bring up: to provide care, training, and education for a child until maturity
Discrimination: unfair treatment of one person or group, usually because of prejudice about
race, ethnicity, age, religion, or gender
Intervention: action affecting other’s affairs
Mete out: to receive cruel or unfair treatment

Exercise

1. What is the meaning of ‘equal treatment’? How does it relate to social
equality and economic justice? Illustrate with real life examples.

2. Point out the similarities and dissimilarities in the life of Maniram
and Dhanmaya as mentioned in the present lesson.

3. Read carefully the following case study:

Bodhiram Chaudhary, from Dang, has been a Kamaiya Tharu. He worked
in the house of one of his neighbours. For three generations, his family
has earned its living by being Kamaiya. Bodhiram works in his Malik’s
(employer’s) house as a domestic servant. This is the way he earns
his livelihood. His wife and children also assist in domestic chores in
the employer’s house and receive some additional rewards (in form of
money, food and clothes). There is no legal compulsion for Bodhiram
to continue as Kamaiya. But, there is no other option available to him
and his family members. Bodhiram does not have any other skill to do
other jobs. He does not have any chance to inherit property to establish
a separate enterprise of his own. The locality in which he resides with
his family does not offer many opportunities. He was landless before
and continues to be so even now.

Now answer the questions:

(a) What are the problems highlighted in the paragraph above? What
are the possible solutions to overcome these problems?

....................................................................................................................

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16 Nova Social Studies And Creative Arts Grade-5 >>

(b) Given a chance, what are the efforts you would take in order to
help the children and other family members of Bodhiram?

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(c) Bring out the difference between Haliyas and Kamaiyas mostly

found in the western Tarai and Hilly regions of Nepal.
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....................................................................................................................
4. Take a tour to your locality where you live and find out the
situations of life of the people residing there. Highlight the cases of
discriminations and suggest the measures to ensure equal treatment
to them.
5. Have you or your family members been ever discriminated or insulted
or humiliated on the basis of caste, ethnicity, mother tongue, gender,
place of birth, race or any other criterion? If yes, then write down the
full details of the incident.

17<< Nova Social Studies And Creative Arts Grade-5

Lesson 5 Understand Others

Human beings always live in a group. That group may be a family, peers,
community, society or any other public places like school, bus stand,
railway station, airport, market place and so on. We humans are constantly
in touch with others and communicate with them or need to communicate
with them. Our good or bad experiences in life depend upon the kind of
interaction we have with others. It is very essential to understand others by
means of their talks and behaviours. Understanding others help us learn
good qualities from them and reject the bad ones. An act of understanding
others enables us to be alert on our part which save us from dishonest
people living around us. At the same time, it develops empathy in us to
connect with the feelings of others.

When two people look at the same thing differently it creates difference and misunderstandings.

What should you do if you are wrongly accused of stealing? Here is a story
of Sushama Choudhary, a student of Grade-5.

Sushma was wrongly accused of stealing a mobile phone when she was
visiting her maternal uncle’s house (Mamaghar) in Biratnagar. She was
taken to a neighbour’s house of maternal uncle for a children’s party. She
along with her maternal aunty (Maiju) was sitting and enjoying the music
there. Other children with their guardians and parents arrived in to join
the party. There was an event of folk dance called Balan in which all the
adults and children made a circle by joining their hands together. All the
personal belongings like handbags and mobile phones were placed aside
before entering into the big hall where the party was continuing. Sushma
took time off to visit restroom (toilet). She came back and joined the party
again till the end. After taking food there, she came back with her Maiju.

18 Nova Social Studies And Creative Arts Grade-5 >>

Just when Sushma was going to bed at 10 in the night, a phone call from
a gentleman Raghuram Pandey came in. He was accusing Sushma of
stealing his mobile phone and wanted it to be returned. Sushma and her
Maiju were totally in shock out of disbelief and denied the allegations.
However, Raghuram Pandey persisted with his allegation of theft against
Sushma. Sushma clarified to him on phone and invited him for search
operation. But, he went on demanding mobile phone back which Sushama
had nothing to do with. Her Mama had heated exchange of words with
Raghuram who happened to be his friend. Sushma felt very bad when
she had to undergo such a false accusation of stealing a mobile phone.
Raghuram Pandey failed to understand the life conditions of 11 years old
girl and he was harsh with her Mama and Maiju as well. People of all age
groups may make mistakes in understanding others before they hurl false
accusations. This is why negative emotions of hatred, jealousy and rivalry
get converted into negative actions of non-cooperation, intolerance and
violence.

Saurabh, a twelve-year-old boy, also went through a lot of mentally agony
when his teacher, Miss Sangeeta Shrestha, accused him of copying the
home assignment from others. Saurabh’s parents were approached to
lodge a complaint against him and ‘School Principal’ suspended Saurabh
for a week without giving him any opportunity to prove his innocence.
Saurabh couldn’t stand this insult and refused to continue his study in the
same school where teachers were not ready to listen to him. Children find
it hard to explain their innocence to adults who impose their knowledge
and powers upon them. A teacher should have asked Saurabh to explain
the topic from his completed assignments before labeling the accusations.
Miss Sangeeta Shrestha should have conducted verbal and written tests
on the topic before she rushed in to call his parents and forwarded his
name for suspension from school. All of us need to be very cautious to give
ourselves enough time and opportunity to understand others. In this way,
a good reason and sense of justice will prevail in our speech and action.

Teaching Guideline

Guide the children to be considerate in behaviours towards others. They must not speak or
behave rudely with their parents, teachers and other elderly people. Teach the children how to
behave with the people belonging to different age groups. Give instructions and trainings to
children so that they learn the basic codes of behaviours and speech with respect to people of
different age groups as per their own culture of community.

19<< Nova Social Studies And Creative Arts Grade-5

Words and terms you would like to know

Constantly: occurring or made again and again; remaining the same and not varying with
change in other things
Empathy: the ability to identify with and understand somebody else's feelings or difficulties
Accuse: to confront somebody with a charge of having done something illegal, wrong, or
undesirable
Allegation: an assertion, especially relating to wrongdoing or misconduct on somebody's part
that has yet to be proved or supported by evidence
Balan: Balan dance is specially performed by Chhetris and Bahuns during religious
ceremonies or at some special occasions. Importance of this dance is the performance of
"Lilas" (acts) of different gods and goddess.

Exercise
1. We must treat people with respect at home and school, or in

neighbourhood. All you have to do is treat people the way you like to
have them treat you. This is how we develop mutual understanding
and avoid conflicts. Here are few examples of behaviours (treatment)
that we must show towards others:

• Don’t insult people or make fun of them.

• Listen to others when they speak.

• Value other people’s opinions unless they spread violence or
promote narrow-mindedness.

• Be considerate of people’s likes and dislikes.

• Don’t mock or tease people.

• Don’t talk negative things about people behind their backs.

• Be sensitive to other people’s feelings.

• Don’t pressure someone to do something he or she doesn’t want to
do.

• Help your friends who are in needs.

• Respect your elders and show affection towards the younger ones.

Do you follow the examples of behaviours mentioned above? How
many of them do you follow and what are their effects in your life?

2. What is empathy? How does it help in understanding the feelings
and behaviours of others? Explain with the help of examples.

20 Nova Social Studies And Creative Arts Grade-5 >>

3. Have you ever been in hateful and difficult situations of life due to
intolerance and anger shown towards you? How did you overcome
that situation? Explain.

4. What do you dislike most about the way people treat each other here
at your school? How would you like to improve them?

5. What are the benefits of having friends who are different from us?
Have you learned anything good from your friends culture?

6. Have you seen anybody mistreated for being different? Describe the
incident in a form of a story.



21<< Nova Social Studies And Creative Arts Grade-5

UNIT

2

Our Traditions, Social Norms and
Values

Lesson 1: Our Traditions
Lesson 2: Our Languages and Costumes
Lesson 3: Our Festivals
Lesson 4: Our Country Our Pride
Lesson 5: Good People of our District
22 Nova Social Studies And Creative Arts Grade-5 >>

Lesson 1 Our Traditions

Tradition is a long-established action or pattern of behaviour in a community
(or group of people). Traditions are often handed down from one generation
to next generation. Traditions always originate from culture and religion of
the land. Nepal is multi-ethnic and multi-cultural society. Therefore, Nepal
has a number of traditions. Not all the traditions observed in Nepal are
healthy for health, hygiene and development of the people. There are a
number of good traditions promoting health, wealth and development in
Nepal. Examples of such good traditions are Guthi, Bheja, Parma, Paincho
Dhikuti, Badghar, Rodhi, Bhai Tika, Gai Tihar, Kukur Tihar and so on. At
the same time, there are bad traditions continuing in Nepal and these
traditions have become social evils. Examples of such social evils which are
still continuing in Nepal in name of traditions are child marriage, gender
discrimination, Daijo (dowry system), untouchability, Ghumto Pratha and
others.

Rasmi Upadhyay is a student of Grade-5 and she loves the tradition of Bhai
Tika. Bhai Tika strengthens the bond between sister and brother. Bhai Tika is
observed on the third day of Tihar. Tihar is celebrated for five days in Nepal
beginning with with Kaag Tihar in Trayodashi of Kartik Krishna Paksha and
ends with Bhai Tika in Dwitiya of Kartik Sukla Paksha every year. Rasmi
says she has a total of six brothers from her own family. Three of them
are from same mother and other three brothers are her cousins. Out of six
brothers, three of them are younger to Rasmi and other threes are older
than her. All the family members wear new clothes on the day of Bhai Tika
and special cuisines are cooked. Sisters pray for longevity and prosperity
for their brothers. Sisters put a long tika of seven colours (sapta rangi tika
like a rainbow) on forehead of their brothers. Rasmi loves this tradition
because she is in the centre of attention and all the brothers from far and
wide visit her and she directs them to sit down in line before she prays for
their wellbeing and apply (put) tika on their forehead. Rasmi is helped by
her own mother and aunties in making arrangement for the festival by
arranging flowers, nuts, fruits, and rice for offering prayer amidst flaming
wicks and incense. She then breaks walnuts before applying the actual
tika. Then she puts a flower garland around brother’s neck. Brothers show
their respect and affection by presenting gifts in form of money or things
including fruits and sweets to her as Shagun. Before the ceremony ends,

23<< Nova Social Studies And Creative Arts Grade-5

all the brothers enjoy eating delicious food prepared and served by their
sister.

Bhai Tika: A Good Tradition Dhami Jhakri treating a patient: A Bad Tradition

Shamanism is a bad tradition of Nepal. Shamans can be either a Kul–
Dhami or just a Dhami-Jhakri. Shamanism believes that all the diseases in

human beings are caused by spirits which are not visible by naked eyes.
It is traditionally believed that Dhami-Jhakri diagnoses and cures diseases

by driving away the spirits from the patients’ physical body. People from

rural Nepal visit them for getting their diseases cured right from fever to

serious diseases like cancer. They are also known as witch doctors in Nepal

who uses witchcraft to diagnose and cure the diseases with the help of
supernatural powers. These witch doctors play a drum called Dhyangro

before their body start shivering as a sign of some strange supernatural

power taking over their body.

Brajesh Shrestha, a student of Grade-5, once witnessed this unscientific
way of treatment in his own village, some 30 kilometers away from
Kathmandu. A Tamang priest called Lama chanted some obscure mantra
with grains of rice in his closed fist and eyes. Amidst the chant, his body
began to shiver violently and then he called for a boy named Binay who
he claimed is being possessed by a ghost. It was shocking experience for
Brajesh to see his friend Binay burning with fever and his family members
presenting him to a strange Jhakri (acting as Lama). That Lama (Jhakri) asked
for a broom and began to sweep Binay body. Pieces of red, black and yellow
cloths were brought to tie a piece of his nail and a bunch of his hairs to
throw it away in a running river. This was his treatment to drive a ghost
from Binay’s body in order to cure his fever. Nothing happened until a
qualified village doctor visited Binay and diagnosed him as being affected

24 Nova Social Studies And Creative Arts Grade-5 >>

by a viral fever. Binay was kept under doctor's watch and they prescribed
medicines. Ultimately he was cured and joined his school with Brajesh.
After this incident, Binay’s family members never called any Dhami-Jhakri
for dealing with their health problems.

Teaching Guideline

Give the clear guidelines to students how to differentiate bad traditions from good ones.
Develop a sense of respect amongst the students for all the good traditions which are observed
in their community. Communities all around the world have their traditions which give them
distinct identity but some of these are really outdated, unscientific and regressive in nature.
Help the students through class discussion check different aspects of a particular tradition.

Words and terms you would like to know

Obscure: not important or well known; difficult to understand because of not being fully or
clearly expressed
Sumptuous: magnificent or grand in appearance
Longevity: long duration of life
Cuisine: the range of food prepared by a person

Exercise

1. Organize a role playing or well-prepared play in the classroom
showing practices and rituals of a range of traditions observed in
Nepalese society.

2. Point out the good and bad practices observed in your family and
community. Also suggest the measures (ways) to reform or correct
the bad practices being followed in your family or community. Use
the following table for your answer:

Good Practices Bad Practices Ways to correct the
bad practices

3. Women are tortured both physically and emotionally for being
Bokshi (witch) specially in western Tarai region. It is complete
violation of human rights of a person who is falsely accused of being

25<< Nova Social Studies And Creative Arts Grade-5

witch or sorcerer and punished by a crowd of villagers. A year ago,
elderly women accused of being Bokshi (witch) took the issue to the
court despite the threat from the villagers. But most of the incidents
are not revealed because of the deep rooted superstition.
(a) Do you think elderly women were right to knock at the door of

court for their safety and security? What are the ways to sensitize
the people in rural areas regarding showing care and respect to
women?
....................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................
(b) Explain the details of harmful traditions that your community
follows where human rights are violated.
....................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................
4. A lady was hit all over her body by her husband and his family
members for not wearing Hijab (parda or veil or Ghumto) – a tradion
followed in Tarai. How do you feel about this incident? Write in
details suggesting ways to end Ghumto.

26 Nova Social Studies And Creative Arts Grade-5 >>

Lesson 2 Our Languages and Costumes

Our Languages: Nepal is a diverse country having multi-ethnic and
multi-cultural communities residing in different topographical regions.
According to the census of Nepal of 2011, a total of 123 Nepalese languages
are spoken as the mother tongue. Most of the people speak the Nepali
language within a country. Nepali language is written in Devanagari script.
Maithili is the second most spoken language of Nepal followed by other
mother tongues like Bhojpuri, Tharu, Tamang, Newar, Magar, Awadhi,
and others. Languages like Nepali, Bhojpuri and Awadhi have originated
from Indo-Aryan root while languages such as Newari, Rai, Limbu, Magar,
Tamang, Sunuwar are traced to Sino-Tibetan root.

Read the following table to know the ethnic communities and regions
where the prominent languages of Nepal are spoken and understood:

Mother Tongue People and regions

Nepali Nepali is the official language of Nepal and is widely
spoken all over the country.

Maithili Maithili is mostly spoken in the eastern part of Tarai
regions covering Janakpur, Rajbiraj, Rautahat, Sarlahi,
Sunsari, Saptari and others.

Bhojpuri Bhojpuri is mainly spoken in the southern part of the
country like Rautahat, Bara, Parsa, Chitwan, Nawalparasi,
and Rupandehi.

Tharu Tharu people living in the Tarai region of Nepal like Kailali,
Kanchanpur, Rupandehi, Surkhet, Nawalparasi, Saptari,
Bara, Parsa, Rautahat, Danag etc speak this language.

Tamang Tamang language is spoken by Tamangs living in
Sindhupalchwok,Rasuwa,Lalitpur,Dhading,Makwanpur,
Nuwkaot, Dolakha, Chitwan and Kavrepalanchowk

Newar or Nepal Newars speak this language. Nepal Bhasa is particularly

Bhasa popular in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Lalitpur.

Bajjika Bajjika language is mostly spoken in Sarlahi, Mahottari
and Rautahat districts of Nepal. Bajjika is the mixture of
two languages namely Bhojpuri and Maithili.

Doteli Doteli is spoken mainly in Dadeldhura, Doti, Baitadi,
Bajura, Bajhang, Darchula, this language is spoken.

27<< Nova Social Studies And Creative Arts Grade-5

Our Costumes (Traditional Dresses): Daura-Suruwal (or Labeda Suruwal),
Bakkhu-Pangden and Dhoti-Kurta are examples of the traditional dresses
of Nepalese men. Daura is a kind of Kurta for covering the upper part of
body while Suruwal is the trouser. On the other hand, Gunyou-Cholo is
the popular costume of women in Nepal. Fariya (sari) and Cholo (Blouse)

are popular particularly among the Tarai females. Land features such as

Himalayan Mountains, plains (Tarai) and hills (plus valleys) across Nepal

influence the type of costumes people wear in Nepal. People living in the
mountains wear thick and long woolen clothes called Bakkhu and Docha.
The people living in the hilly region of Nepal wear Kachhar, Bhoto and cap.
The residents of Tarai region wear Dhoti and long shirt called Kurta.

Daura-Suruwal and Gunyou-Cholo Fariya-Cholo

Read the following table in order to know the different types of costumes
(traditional dresses) in relation to the ethnic costumes that wear them:

Ethnicity Costume Ethnicity Costume
Newars Tharu Sari-Blouse, Lungi
Haku Patashi, Daura
Limbu Suruwal Madhesi Dhoti-Kurta, Sari-Choli
Dhaka Shawls,
Sherpa Samyanfung. Musalman Lungi, Pyjama, Salwar
Magar Chhuba-Pengi, Hat Tamang Patuka, Woolen cap
Sari, Patuka, Kachhad,

Teaching Guideline

Teach the students to respect diversity at different levels in the Nepalese society. A range of
languages, costumes, cuisines, festivals exist across the regions of Nepal.

Words and terms you would like to know

Topography: the features on the surface of an area of land
Trouser: a clothe having two legs worn from the waist up to the feet

28 Nova Social Studies And Creative Arts Grade-5 >>

Exercise
1. What are the threats to the present diversity of Nepal? Suggest the

ways (measures) to promote and maintain diversity in Nepal.
2. Suppose you are mocked due to dress you wear and the language you

speak. How would you handle discrimination based on a language
you speak or costume (traditional dress) you wear?
3. A number of ethnic communities live in Nepal and each community
has their own traditional dress or costume. Justify the statement with
relevant examples.
4. Read the following lines and write your comment with the help of
examples:

/ut ;a}sf] /ftf] eP, sg' wgL sg' u/Lasf]
Ps} b]zsf ;Gtfg xfdL, sf] 6f9f / glhssf] .

5. Look at the following pictures and recognize the traditional dress
worn by a particular community. Name both the dress as well as
ethnic community.

A B C

A. ....................................................................................................................
B. ....................................................................................................................
C. ....................................................................................................................

29<< Nova Social Studies And Creative Arts Grade-5

D E F

D. ....................................................................................................................
E. ....................................................................................................................
F. ....................................................................................................................
6. Fill up the blanks below with correct word:
......................... is a Newari dress and worn as black sari with red borders.
Young girls wear it knee level but older women prefer to completely
cover their legs. Limbu women wear ................... It is worn on the head
and it is made of flat circular gold plate with coral stone embellished
in the center. Traditional dress of .................... resembles the Tibetans
costume known as ....................

30 Nova Social Studies And Creative Arts Grade-5 >>

Lesson 3 Our Festivals

A festival is an event ordinarily celebrated in order to bring the community
members together at local and national level. Nepalese People celebrate a
number of festivals whose origin generally lies in religion. These festivals
are our cultural traditions. Festivals are not just the identity of a community
but also the pride of a nation. If correctly understood, the rituals and
ceremonies of the festivals have deeper and scientific meaning. Normally,
a feast and a festival go together. Besides, most of the Hindu festivals
in Nepal also involve dance, music and singing having specific cultural
touch to it. For example, the ritual dance called ‘Shree Navadurga’ dance
is performed by devotees at Mul Chowk in Patan Durbar Square, Lalitpur
on Kojaragrat Purnima, the last day of the Dashain festival. Dashain, Tihar,
Chhat, Baishak Purnima, Janai Purnima, Teej, Krishna Janmastami, Sakela,
Gaura, Wadangmet, Christmas, Eid and others are well-known festivals of
Nepal. These festivals have religious and cultural roots.

My name is Balwati Sharma. I am the student of Grade-5 and reside in
Kathmandu. My parents are devotees to Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu is
regarded as the maintainer of the universe according to Hindu mythology.
This festival is not about the feast but fast. My parents observe one of the
most significant fasts on this day dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Ekadashi as the
name indicates is observed on the eleventh lunar day of shukla paksha (the
bright fortnight) of the month of Asar. The festival of Ekadashi is marked
by rituals such as worshipping Lord Vishnu, reciting the Holy Scriptures
relating to him and singing Lord Vishnu-oriented hymns, among others.

The Day also marks the beginning of Chaturmas in Nepali calendar and
lasts until Prabodhini Ekadashi, the eleventh day of the first bright half of
Kartik (eighth month of the Hindu lunar calendar). Chaturmas is a holy
period of four months that spreads from July to October in the English
calendar. Hindus undertake several auspicious works during Chaturmas.
Sanyasis are supposed to halt during this period at one selected place
(Rains Retreat), and give discourses to the public.

Basil saplings are planted on this day and worshipped ritualistically for the
next four months. It is believed that by worshiping the oxygen-rich plant
basil, Lord Vishnu grants his devotees their wishes. Major Celebrations

31<< Nova Social Studies And Creative Arts Grade-5

within this holy period of Chaturmas include Guru Purnima, Krishna

Janmastami, Raksha Bandhan, Ganesh Chaturthi, Navratri (Dashain) and
Diwali (Tihar). There are the total 24 Ekadashis in the lunar calendar in a
year. The Ekadashi in the month of Asar and Kartik are the most significant

ones.

Some of the festivals celebrated in Nepal and their brief description is given
below:

1. Maha Shivaratri: It is celebrated

annually in honor of the god

Shiva (the lord of destruction.

occurs on the 14th night of the

new moon during the dark

half of the month of Phalguna

(Feb./March). Mahashivratri

is celebrated during the night

and day that come just before

the new moon. It is the night Mahashivaratri Celebration

when he danced the 'Tandav', his cosmic dance. On this very day, the

wedding of Shiva and Sati, the mother divine took place. Shiva is the

destroyer of all the negativities found in humans such as ignorance,

violence, injustice and evil thoughts and deeds. Those who observe the

Mahashivratri fast only break their fast the next morning, and eat the

prasad (food offerings) offered to Shiva. In fact all the Shiva temples

receive scores of devotes in the day of Maha Shivaratri. People go to

worship Shiva at Pashupatinath in Kathmandu, Halesi in Khotang,

Pindeshwari in Dharan and other such places on the day of Shivaratri.

2. Chhath: Chhath puja is Chhath Puja on river bank
performed on Kartika Shukla
Shashthi (the sixth day of the
month of Kartika). In English
calendar, this falls in the month
of October or November. The
festival is celebrated after Tihar
(Deepawali). Devotees worship
Chhathi Maiya in Chhath. The

32 Nova Social Studies And Creative Arts Grade-5 >>

devotees offer their prayers to both the setting sun and the rising

sun. The festival is very popular among the married women of Tarai

region. They observe a two-day fast and offer prayers by practicing

austerity throughout. Chhath involves the religious rituals lasting for
four days. The first day begins with Arba Arbain or Nahan Khan in which
thee devotees observe fast. Second day is called Kharana (meaning the

removing all the sins). Third day is the day for visiting river banks or
pond amidst the devotional folk songs. The fourth day is the day Paran
meant for breaking the fast by eating the Prasad.

3. Buddha Purnima: Buddha

Jayanti is celebrated on

Buddha Purnima. Buddha

Jayanti is celebrated by

devotees of Gautam Buddha

worldwide to commemorate

his birthday. The festival

falls in the Hindu month of

Baisakha on the day of full

moon. Therefore, it is also Buddha Jayanti Celebration
known as Baisakh Purnima.

As per Theravada Tripitaka, Gautam Buddha was born on this day in

Lumbini (now in Nepal) approximately around the year 563 BCE. This

is also known as the day he attained highest spiritual knowledge under

the Mahabodhi tree at Bodh Gaya (now in Bihar, India). Devotees

celebrate the day by meditating, preaching and discussing the life and

teachings of Lord Buddha. Buddha Purnima is celebrated with much

fanfare in Nepal, India, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, Sri Lanka,

Thailand, Myanmar, and Vietnam and other many countries. Devotees

wear white clothes, pray, meditate and chant from the scriptures,

following which, they make fruits and sweets’ offerings to the Buddha

idols.

Teaching Guideline

Nepal is a culturally vibrant country and celebrates a number of festivals. Every ethnic and caste
community has their own festivals to keep themselves alive. Share the facts and information
of festivals which are celebrated in Nepal. Encourage students to find out details on all the
important festivals of Nepal.

33<< Nova Social Studies And Creative Arts Grade-5

Words and terms you would like to know

Basil: Tulasi or holy basil is a sacred plant in Hindu due to having a number of medicinal
thoughts. Traditionally, Tulsi is planted in the center of the central courtyard of Hindu
houses.
Twinkling: flickering
Auspicious: marked by lucky signs or good omens, and therefore by the promise of success
or happiness
Fanfare: showy display

Exercise

1. Write the name of any five festivals that your community celebrates
and describe in brief.

2. Festivals bring happiness and harmony in our life. Describe with the
help of local proverbs like “Sukhamaya pari sab sansar, Aayo rasilo
Chad Tihar”.

3. Have you attended the festivals of other communities? Write your
experience.

4. Festivals keep the human society alive and bring the people in
community together. Comment by giving suitable examples.

5. Fill up the blanks by putting the information in the following table:

Festival When is it celebrated? Special features of the
festival

Dashain
Tihar
Lhosar
Maghe Sankranti
Buddha Jayanti
Krishnastami
Bibah Panchami
Holi
Eid al-Fitr
Christmas

34 Nova Social Studies And Creative Arts Grade-5 >>

Lesson 4 Our Country Our Pride

Deepak Shrestha is from Manang district and he runs a travel agency in
Pokhara. His daughter Reema Shrestha is a student of Grade-5 in a school
located in Darjeeling (India). She stays in school hostel there and visits
her father twice in a year. Deepak Shrestha decides to write a letter to his
daughter Reema explaining about her motherland Nepal.

Pokhara
Baisakh 1, 2074
Dear Daughter,

Blessings;

I hope you are doing well there. You are already 11 years old and this is the
right time to understand your motherland. Nepal is naturally so beautiful
that it is likened with paradise on the earth. Nepal is rich in bio-diversity.
Forest area in Nepal is found in all regions: Himalayan, hilly or Tarai
(plain) region. The forested area is full of variety of plants and animals.
This biodiversity in Nepal is caused by its land feature of different altitude
which reaches up to above 8000 meters in the Himalayas from the 60 meter

35<< Nova Social Studies And Creative Arts Grade-5

in Tarai (plains) region of Nepal. If you travel a distance of 100 km going
from South to North at any part of Nepal, you experience difference in
climatic conditions. Hot climate of Tarai and chilling cold of Himalayas
are two extreme climates with moderate climate in the hills of Nepal. I
promise an extensive tour for you next time passing through different
regions of Nepal in order to explore wide variety of plants and animals.
As you pass through the deep forest of Nepal, you get to see Lophophorus
(pheasant), Royal Bengal Tiger, One-Horned Rhino, Snow Leopard and
other large collection of birds and animals. You will get mesmerized by
the rich diversity of Nepal when you visit different national parks of Nepal
located on Chitwan Sagarmatha, Bardiya National Park and other places.
Nepal is a small country having 147,181 km2 land area and total population
of less than 30 million. Even so, its cultural and ethnic diversity is really
great. Nepal has over 80 ethnic groups and 123 Languages (Mother Tongue).
Nepal has a total of 10 World Heritage Sites which include Boudhanath,
Pashupatinath, Swyambhunath, Changunarayan, Hanuman Dhoka,
Patan Durbar, Bhaktapur Durbar located in Kathmandy Valley. Among
the World's 14 Highest Mountain Peaks (above 8,000 meters) which are
located in the Himalaya or the Karakoram ranges in Asia, Nepal has 8 such
peaks. Mount Everest (8848 meters), Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Dhaulagiri,
Manasalu and Annapurna are such mountain peaks that cross the altitude
of 8000 meters. Mount Everest is the highest peak in the world. The
Nepalese call it “Sagarmatha” meaning “forehead of the sky” located in the
Mahalangur range of the Great Himalayas in the Eastern Nepal. Nepal has
adopted Bikram Sambat as its official calendar. First day of month Baisakh
(mid-April) is celebrated as the ‘New Year Day’ in Nepal. The Nepalese
calendar is about 57 years ahead of the English calendar. Nepal is also the
birthplace of king Janak, Sita and Gautam Buddha. Highest mountain peak
Sagarmatha also known as Mount Everest is located in Nepal.
At present Nepal is a democratic and republic country. Monarchy that
ruled over present Nepal for 240 years ended in 2008 AD (2065 BS) and
Nepal was declared republic. Our country is our pride. I am sure you have
learnt a lot today about your birthplace. I recommend you to find out more
about Nepal from different sources.
Take care and concentrate on your study,
Yours Father
Deepak Shrestha

36 Nova Social Studies And Creative Arts Grade-5 >>

Teaching Guideline

Bring out interesting and unique facts about Nepal in the classroom so that students get
interested to know more and more about their country. Tell them about different aspects of
Nepalese society so that they grow up with a fair amount of information about their own
country.

Words and terms you would like to know
Biodiversity: range of organisms in Extensive: vast, covering a large area
environment Explore: search for natural places
Chilling: frightening Mesmerize: absorb somebody’s attention
Moderate: average BCE: Before Christ Era

Exercise

1. What makes you proud about your country? Write down at least ten
points.

2. Write a national song and sing it with your classmates under the
guidance of your teacher.

3. Collect the photographs of different heritage sites which represent
land forms, society and culture of Nepal.

4. Briefly describe the details of any two ‘World Heritage Sites’ which
make Nepal proud.

5. Which ones of the following statements make you proud about

Nepal? Give reasons for your choice.

(a) Bengal Tiger, Red Panda and Snow Leopard are endangered
species of animals found in Nepal.

(b) Gautam Buddha was born in Lumbini the 6th century BC.

(c) King Seeradhwaja. Janak was a wise and spiritually enlightened
king who ruled over Janakpur (the capital of Mithila Kinggom)
had a daughter named Sita.

(d) King Seeradhwaja Janak had a Guru named as Ashtavakra. King
Janaka had raised many questions to understand religious wisdom
and spiritual knowledge. Ashtavakra had answered all the
questions raised by the King. Their conversation is documented as
Ashtavakra Gita.

(e) The 15th century architect Arniko traveled to Lhasa and Beijing

37<< Nova Social Studies And Creative Arts Grade-5

with the design for the pagoda, and forever changed the look of
Asia’s religious temples.
(f) Nepal has always been a free country without being ruled by
foreign ruler. Therefore, Nepal does not celebrate Independence
Day.
(g) Nepal’s renowned Gurkha soldiers always successfully protected
their country. Their motto is, “Better to die than be a coward.”

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38 Nova Social Studies And Creative Arts Grade-5 >>

Lesson 5 Good People of Our District

I live in Bhaktapur District. My name is Suresh Tamrakar and I am the
student of Grade-5. There are quite a good numbers of neighbours who
are inspiration to us. They are role models to all children, youth, adults
and old citizens living in Thimi, Bhaktapur. Sunita aunty is one such
good neighbour who inspires all of us to stand on our own feet by dint of
hard labour and presence of mind. She is doing farming on eight ropanis
of rented land. She pays around NPR 80,000 as land rent annually for
growing tomato, peas, radish, chilly and green leafy vegetables. Apart from
her annual investment on the land, she makes a profit of 500,000 Rupees.
She even employs five full-time and ten part-time workers to assist her in
vegetable farming. Sunita aunty started farming when she lost her husband
in a road accident. She had a responsibility to bring up her three children.
One of her child Binayak is my classmate and he is extremely proud of his
mother. She didn’t have any money to start farming. A cooperative finance
located in Bhakapur came forward to give her loan of 50,000 Rupees and
Sunita aunty turned it into an inspiring success story of profitable farming
in entire area. Sunita aunty is now a role model for all those women who
wants to do something on their own. She invites anyone and everyone for
learning the art and technique to start a vegetable farm business.

Sunita aunty in her vegetable farm Display of Jute products in local market

Another inspiring citizen in our district is Savitri Didi. Just three years
ago, Savitri was a simple housewife struggling to meet her basic needs.
Her husband was staying home due to his illness. Her family was living
in poverty. Savitri began working as a labourer on a daily wage basis.

39<< Nova Social Studies And Creative Arts Grade-5

She attended a workshop on Micro-enterprise Development Program
for a month along with others. She learnt the skills of weaving to make
jute products. Savitri Didi along with other women started producing
(weaving) jute products by establishing a ‘Common Facility Centre’. Her
monthly income gradually improved from 5,000 to 20,000 Rupees. She has
used her hard-earned money on medical treatment of her husband and got
him cured. She is a proud woman and inspires all of us. Other women are
also joining Savitri Didi in a Common Facility Centre. All of them generate
400,000 Rupees annually by selling their jute products.

Kailash Kumar Rai is 25 years old. He is a permanent resident of my district.
After passing School Leaving Certificate (SLC), he was called to teach
primary level students in a community school due to absence of regular
teachers. He was feeling nervous and uncomfortable in the classroom
without having formal teaching training. School headmaster immediately
arranged for a special training for him under the guidance of senior
teachers. Kailash is now full-time teacher and liked by students. He has
now successfully completed his B.A. (Bachelor of Arts) and B.Ed. (Bachelor
of Education) from Tribhuwan University. He is the living example of
struggle and success in human life. He is inspiration for youth from poor
background and looking forward to do something in life.

Teaching Guideline

Organize a class discussion to involve all the students so that each one of them should come
up with the names and contributions of good neighbours. Good neighbours create healthy
environment in which others take inspiration from them. Tell the students how this healthy
environment leads to personal and group development in the community.

Words and terms you would like to know

Ropani: 508.74 sq m = 1 ropani = 16 anna = 5476 sq. ft. 31.79 sq m = 1 anna

Exercise

1. Are there professionals like teachers, doctors, engineers, nurses,
architects and social workers who live in your neighbourhood? If
you are given a chance to meet any three neighbours engaged in
teaching, banking and nursing then what kind of questions will you

ask them? Write by giving proper heading.

2. What work you would prefer to do when you grow up? Make a list
of work (profession) and give reason for your choice for that work

40 Nova Social Studies And Creative Arts Grade-5 >>

(profession) you would love to do after turning adult.
3. What lessons do you learn from three characters Sunita, Savitri and

Kailash. Also mention the important inspiring incidents from their
life.
4. Write the details of good works that you and your classmates have
done as a good neighbour.

41<< Nova Social Studies And Creative Arts Grade-5

UNIT

3

Social Problems and
Their Solutions

Lesson 1: Keep Away from Bad Habits
Lesson 2: Protection from Theft, Robbery and Other Misdeeds
Lesson 3: Don’t Imitate Blindly
Lesson 4: Cooperation
Lesson 5: Social Organizations
Lesson 6: Role of Our Local Bodies
42 Nova Social Studies And Creative Arts Grade-5 >>

Lesson 1 Keep Away from Bad Habits

Unhealthy behaviours in our daily life harm our mind and body. Yet, there
are people who are addicted to such unhealthy behaviours. Those who
are addicted to unhealthy behaviours follow these bad habits even at the
cost of harming themselves, their family and community. Some of the bad
habits have become social problems in the Nepalese society. Gambling,
alcoholism, drug addiction, domestic violence, gender discrimination, child
labour, child abuse and trafficking are few examples of social problems
of Nepal. A social problem begins from negative thought which leads to
unhealthy behaviour of people who repeatedly follow it as bad habits.
How does a social problem affect our Nepalese society? Let us read the
following case study:

Drinking alcohol (wine) without being cautious is harmful. Never drink alcohol in your life.

My name is Binaya Trivedi. I am student of Grade Five. My classmate Rasmi
Chaoudhary knows the pain of being a daughter of alcoholic father. Despite
repeated requests and cautions raised, her father continues to drink wine.
This is the cause of domestic violence in the house. He does not listen to the
advice given by her mother and they live constantly under fear. He spends
half of his monthly earning on this addiction. There is hardly any money
left when it comes to buy extra help books for her education, healthcare
expenditure for her mother and grandparents and other emergency
expenditure. Her father does not like any opposition or discussion with any
family members regarding his addiction. He has a circle of friends with whom
he drinks wine. He never bothers about Rasmi's study and wellbeing of other
family members. Rasmi's mother and her grandparents work hard in farmland
to make a living. Rashim fear her father a lot because of his abusive and violent
temperament. He does not take any family responsibility and never attends
‘parents-teachers’ meeting. I am so fortunate as my father is not addicted to
alcohol or any kind of drug.

43<< Nova Social Studies And Creative Arts Grade-5

Binay Tiwary is 11 years old. He lost his parents in Tarai flood in 2017 AD
(2073 BS). He was sent to his Mama Ghar (a house of maternal uncle) to stay
there. His Mama owns a carpet factory. Binay did not have any idea what
fate had decided for him. His Mama had a plan to employ him in his factory

with other child labourers already working there. Binay was not allowed
to stay with his Mama but shifted to a big hall where other children who

worked in his factory lived. Being an orphan, Binay had no choice except
to go by the wish of his Mama. He worked there for two years and survived

until a social worker rescued all the children from slavery. He is back to his

own village and studies in Grade-5 along with Rasmi Choudhary.

Child labour (slavery) is a course on Nepalese society and we must get rid of it.

Women discrimination Slavery of children

Both Binay and Rasmi participate in vocational skill development training
held outside the school. This training will continue until they pass Grade-10.
Both of them are the victims of unhealthy behaviours of their close family
members.

Teaching Guideline

Involve the students to discuss about their family conditions and about the social problems
present in their own community. Analyze the fallouts and side effects of bad habits in a family
and community. Have a thorough discussion in the classroom and develop insight amongst the
students so that they grow up to become the agents of change.

44 Nova Social Studies And Creative Arts Grade-5 >>