Nova Social Studies 4

Lesson 2 Resist Addiction and
Harmful Behaviours

Villagers Died after Consuming Alcohol

Rasuwa, 23 Falgun – Seven villagers died in the last few days in a small
village of Rasuwa. All of them had consumed alcohol served to them from
a drum in a village market. It was contaminated alcohol. Many villagers
often fall sick and complain of headaches, vomiting, getting in coma and
even death. Illegal activity of brewing alcohol in several homes takes
place. It is common to hear about road accidents caused by drunk drivers.
A number of families have lost their dear ones because of addiction to
alcohol.

Sunil Thakuri was reading this news in a family gathering. His family
lives in Gokuleshwar Village of Darchula district. A discussion broke out
amongst the family members after he finished reading the news.

Sunil: Aama, what do you think about the complete ban on alcohol
consumption in our village? Do you support this idea?

Mother: How to ban it my son? Our festivals and celebrations promote
consumption of alcohol as a part of culture. People offer alcohol to each
other. Even family members do not hesitate to take alcohol in front of each
other.

Father: You cannot teach us how to celebrate festivals and other occasions.
Nobody likes a festival without consuming alcohol. (father interjected with
a tone of anger, disagreement and rebuke)

Sunil: Any tradition or culture which makes consumption of alcohol a trend
must be changed. We have other options available to us like serving milk
or milk related products or fruit juice or sharbat to replace alcohol. There

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are harmful effects of alcohol on both mind and body. In addition to that,
alcohol consumption leads to dangerous addiction. It has negative effects
on children like us. It is quite unfortunate that you are supporting open
consumption of alcohol during festivals and family events like birthday,
marriage and so on. Are you not aware of cases of addiction to alcohol
destroying the future if family especially children.
Mother: I understand what you are saying but I didn't have courage to
oppose it. Now I stand by you and take vow not to allow any alcohol in my
house anymore.
Sunil: Not only does alcohol cause harm to the drinker, but also affects
others who are in the company of a drinker. Regular consumption of
alcohol causes a large number of diseases and creates conditions of injury
to several parts of body like mouth, throat, colon, liver and so on. It also
disturbs our mental health by creating anxiety, depression, epilepsy and
others.
Father: Sorry son, I argued in a wrong way. I smoke cigarette and I want to
quit it. Would you explain to me how dangerous is this habit of smoking?
Will you suggest something to me?

Sunil: My teacher told me that smoking causes damage to nearly every
organ in the body and is directly responsible for a number of diseases.
According to medical research, smoking shortens the life of a male by
about 12 years and the life of a female by around 11 years. Two poisons in
tobacco that affect peoples' health are carbon monoxide and tar. Carbon
monoxide replaces oxygen in the blood and leads to organ failure. Tar is a
sticky brown substance. It gets deposited on lungs of smokers and disturbs
their proper functioning. Regular smoking affects all the vital organs of
smokers such as brain, bones, immune system, lungs, mouth and skin.

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

Quitting smoking reduces health risks of victims and they regain the lost
health.

Father: Thank you my son. From today, I quit smoking and no alcohol will
be allowed in our house.

Sunil: Thank you, Baba. I am grateful to you for listening to me.

Teaching Guideline

Tell the children about side effects of addiction and make them alert so that they do not follow
the footprints of those who are alcoholic, chain smokers or drug abusers.

Words and terms you would like to know

Brew: to make beer or similar alcoholic drinks by a process of steeping, boiling, and fermenting
grain with hops, sugar, and other ingredients
Consumption: the eating or drinking of something, or the amount that somebody eats or
drinks
Liver: internal human organ that secrets bile, stores and filters blood
Colon: a section of the large intestine inside human body
Shorten: to make something shorter or less
Reduce: to decrease or lessen

Exercise

1. Tick ( √ ) a name that is a drug or an intoxicant from the given list of
things.

(A) Curd (B) Beer (C) Jand or Chhyang (D) Wine

(E) Water (F) Bidi (G) Milk (H) Brandy

(I) Honey (J) Cigarette (K) Bhang (L) Butter

2. What are the disadvantages of taking drugs or intoxicants? Highlight
any five disadvantages.

3. Use the following words given in a box and fill up the blanks
correctly.

Wine Disease Consumption Accident Benefits
Health Oath Children

(A) It is improper to serve ....................... in festivals and feasts in our
culture.

(B) Using drugs and wines is dangerous to our ...................and causes
..............

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(C) Consumption to drugs ........................ no one.
(D) Consumption of drugs and wines generates ........................ in our

body.
(E) Let us take an ...................... together not to consume alcohol,

cigarettes and drugs.
(F) .......................... in our life must be kept away from intoxicants and

must not be asked to bring cigarettes, Bidis and wines.
4. Consumption of wine and other intoxicants leads to accidents on road,

conflicts in a family and neighbourhood and other kinds of physical,
economical and emotional problems to addicts and their family. You
must have seen such sufferings in your family or neighbourhood.
Write down one such event to give a strong message against drug use
and consumption of wine.
5. Stage a drama based on the dialogue between Sunil and his parents
given in the present lesson.
6. Take out a rally with the placards in your community to spread
awareness against smoking alcoholism and drug addiction. Make
your own placards and show to your teachers.
7. Form a group of three students in the classroom to write slogans on
placard giving clear message against drug addiction, alcoholism and
cigarette smoking. For examples, look at the following placards.

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

Lesson 3 Social Evils

My name is Saurabh Trivedi. I live in Rautahat. I have a story to share on
social evil called dowry (Daijjo). I have a friend and his name is Sachin
Jaysawal. He lives in Itahari. Sachin remembers very well how his father
had to take loan from bank to get the elder sister married. His father had
nothing except cattle and a mud house to keep as mortgage with a bank
for taking loan. His father had no option left except to meet excessive
demands of dowry raised by his son-in-law. Unable to pay back a loan, all
the possessions including cattle and Sachin’s mud house were confiscated
by a bank. As if it was not enough, more sufferings were waiting to befall
on Sachin's family. His elder sister was kicked out by his brother-in-law
accusing her of being a daughter of poor person. Neighbours and other
friends refused to speak for Sachin’s family. At the end, Sachin and his
family started a new life in Kathmandu. His elder sister is a teacher now
and works to spread messages against dowry (Daijo) amongst youth of our
society.

Respect a woman for her individual qualities and say 'No' to dowry.

Social evils obstructs the social economic and political development of our
country. It also stops people to progress in life individually. Let, us look at
some of the social evils affecting our society:

Deuki System: Young girls are donated to temples to give religious
services in order to earn religious merits. Unfortunately, these girls can’t
get married and are exploited by greedy priests and others present there.
They are treated as slave. Such girls live without human rights and their
life become hell. This social evil is mostly found in the far western regions
of Nepal.

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Religious Discrimination: Nepal is a multi-religious and multi-cultural
country. All the prominent religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism,
Jainism, Sikhism, Islam and Christianity are present in Nepal. Religious
discrimination means that people are judged on the basis of their religion
not on their qualities, talents and skills. It is definitely a social evil because
a person or a group is being treated differently because of being born or
affiliated with a specific religion.

Class Discrimination: Nepal is a country of villages and many people
are engaged in agricultural activities. Those who work on others land
are landless farmers. Few farmers are owner of big area of land. They are
called Zamindars (or feudal lords). Big land owners enjoy high status in a
village just like an industrialist. Opposite to them are workers in industries
(factories) and landless labourers. People are classified into different
classes in a society on the basis of their earnings and type of works they do.
Farmers, workers and soldiers belong to lower middle class. They must be
given their due recognition without discriminating them against rich and
middle class people in a society. Class discrimination promotes prejudice
or discrimination against the poor and lower middle class.

Untouchability: Castes are fixed and passed on a person by birth. Getting
birth in a particular caste becomes a cause of discrimination in a society.
A division of higher and lower castes has triggered violence, hatred and
discrimination in our society. Untouchability is prohibited in Nepal and it
is punishable under law. Yet one sees this discrimination being practiced
in some parts of the country. Dalits bear the brunt of untouchability the
most in our country.

Superstitions: Superstition is the irrational belief which is put into
practice. Superstitions mostly arise from ignorance, misunderstanding
and misinterpretation of religion and science. Superstitions are found in
every society. But some of them are really harmful. For example, women
are ostracized and tortured after being accused of being witches (Bokshis)
in Tarai region of Nepal. If a crow caws near your window, you will hear
bad news soon. If you unknowingly wear your clothes inside out, it brings
good luck. These are some of the superstitions which we find in our society.
It is absolutely necessary not to be influenced by such irrational beliefs and
stop our progress.

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

Teaching Guideline

Make the students familiar with social evils and superstitions prevailing in our society. There
are social evils which suppress women, exploits children (both boys and girls), obstruct all
round individual development. Bring all of them in open and ask the students to be scientific
in their thinking.

Words and terms you would like to know

Confiscate: to take something as legal penalty; to take something away
Affiliate: to come, or bring a person or group, into a close relationship with another, usually
larger group
Ostracize: to banish or exclude somebody from society or from a particular group, either
formally or informally

Exercise
1. Write ‘Yes’ if any of the following superstitions is practised in your

family or among relatives. And write ‘No’ if the superstition is not
practised.

(a) No whistle in the house.

(b) Combing hair at night is bad.

(c) Seeing a black cat crossing the road, it brings bad luck.

(d) Don’t bend too low while eating, it will bring bad luck.

(e) Itches in hand bring money.
(f) Seeing money in your dreams bring bad luck. (‘Dashaa laageko’)

(g) Don’t cut your nails at night.

(h) Hearing a dog howling is a bad omen.

(i) Black crow inside the house is not auspicious.

(j) Seeing someone dying in dreams brings a long life to that person.

(k) Seeing fire in dreams get you into fight with someone.

(l) Ladies with small feet always bring peace, prosperity and good
luck. (‘Lachhin’)
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2. Match the following.

Group (A) Group (B.)
Extravagance
Giving a lot of money and costly goods
Gender Discrimination in marriage
Untouchability
Donating girls to temple
Deuki Custom
Looking down upon others as being
Dowry (Daijjo) inferiors (poor)

Class Discrimination Spending beyond one’s own limit to
show status

Sending boys to schools and girls for
cutting grass

Refusing to eat food if touched by a
particular caste

3. There must have been several social evils in your community. Make
a list of their side effects on individual and community.

4. Collect photos, cartoons and news from old newspapers and
magazines regarding different kinds of social evils and superstitions.
Arrange them properly on a big cardboard. Display it on exhibition

board of your school.

5. Create posters and slogans to raise awareness against several social
evils practised in Nepal.

6. Look at the following banners with messages displayed on them and
explain each of them in your own words with the help of examples.

A B C
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Nova Social Studies And Creative Arts Grade-4 >>

Lesson 4 Ways to End Disputes

All of us live in a group and there are situations where we do not see eye
to eye. We do not agree to each other on every issue. Every individual
comes from different background. All of us have our own likes and
dislikes. Sometimes our likes an dislikes create differences among us. If
the difference get stronger then they become disagreement. Disagreement
when continues turns into heated argument and discriminatory practices.
This is a situation of a dispute which needs to be resolved immediately. No
dispute brings development. It breaks family, friendship and unity amongst
us. What is the way to resolve dispute? Continuous dialogue of course is
an effective way to resolve a dispute. It explores the common ground to
live together. We should be open and flexible to find out the solution of
our disputes. Conflict arises between two individuals or groups. People
disagree with each other because they have different values, motivations,
perceptions, ideas and desires. These differences generate conflicts which
take the shape of disputes. Conflict should be handled carefully to stop it
from becoming a dispute. Conflict brings an opportunity to grow and bring
a positive change. When conflict is mismanaged, it disrupts relationship,
breaks family, community and ultimately whole nation. Dispute appears
first in form of argument and moves toward becoming a misbehavior and
finally a physical fight.

A dispute may turn into violent outburst conflict.

Susheela is the sincere student. She studies in Grade Four. Someone pulled
her shirt from behind and tore it when she was busy talking to her friends.
Susheela turned back and found that her classmate Manoj was doing
mischief. Fierce argument broke out between them. Kamala was standing
there. She intervened and asked Manoj to apologize for his misbehabiour.

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Manoj refused to do that. He was bullying Susheela. Susheela lodged a
complaint against Manoj with a principal. Parents of Manoj were called to
inform them about Manoj’s behavior with Susheela and other classmates.
Both Susheela and Manoj were called in the principal’s office. Manoj’s
parents asked him to apologize to Susheela for his misconduct. Manoj
apologized to Susheela and vowed not to bully in future. There was no
dispute or conflict between them anymore.

Teaching Guideline

Guide the students in developing skills to resolve their own interpersonal conflicts amongst
themselves. Tell them how to find the progressive ways to adjust in classroom, school,
playground, canteen, neighbourhood, family etc.

Words and terms you would like to know

Dispute: an argument or disagreement between people or groups.
Conflict: a friction or discord arising within a group. It happens because the beliefs or actions of
one or more members of the group do not match with one or more members of another group.
Occurrence: happening
Apologize: to say that you are sorry for something that has upset or inconvenienced somebody
else
Mischief: naughty behavior; behavior, especially by children, that is undesirable or troublesome
without being malicious
Flexible: able to be persuaded or influenced
Of course: as might be expected

Exercise

1. You must have faced conflicts and disputes in your life. You must
have also seen conflicts and disputes emerging in your family,
neighbourhood and school. Tick (√ ) the ways you would like to
resolve conflict and dispute. Cross ( × ) those you don't like to adopt.

(a) Be particular and conscious about your feeling and listen to what
is said from other side.

(b) Find ways to resolve the conflicts rather than prolonging it.

(c) Develop positive emotions (compassion and sympathy) to forgive
others and say sorry to those who are hurt by you.

(d) Have a comprehensive discussion and dialogue with the other
parties.

(e) Try to find out conclusions by taking others into confidence.

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

(f) Appoint a mediator to listen to both the parties to dispute carefully.

(g) Bring both the parties on negotiating table and let them find the
common grounds.

(h) Friends from both the sides should help to get on to solutions and
future directions to move forward.

(i) We must know when to let a conflict or dispute go.

2. Answer the following questions.

(a) Have you ever faced a situation like Susheela faced in the present
lesson? What were your ways to resolve the issue?

(b) There are always the mischievous students like Manoj in a school
or in neighbourhood. What is the best way according to you to
make them realize their mistakes and bring positive change in
their behaviors.

(c) Kamala Shrestha in the present lesson intervened into the dispute
between Susheela and Manoj. Was it a right step on her part? Give
reasons.

(d) Listening to one party to dispute and ignoring other is not the right
way of resolving dispute or conflict. How far do you agree with
this statement? Explain with examples.

(e) You can avoid many conflicts and resolve disagreements by using
humour. It is because humour has a way of expressing thing
without offending someone. Write your own view on it.

(f) Wrongdoer cannot be allowed to be a judge in his/her own a
dispute. Is it correct approach to resolve dispute? Explain with
examples.

3. Several social evils and superstitions are the root causes of generating
disputes and conflicts in our society. How far do you agree with this
observation.

4. How do you resolve disputes between the classmates in your school?

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Lesson 5 Ways to remove Social Evils

Social evils are the chains which stop individuals and society from
progressing ahead. Nepalese society is under the grip of several social evils
such as child marriage, child labor, girl trafficking, gender discrimination,
dowry, alcoholism, animal sacrifice, corruption, beggary and others.
It is our duty to speak against social evils and stand up for the cause of
progressive society.

We are the responsible members of society. We must speak up against the
practice of social evils. We must come face to face with social evils and
oppose them in our family, neighbourhood and other private and public
places. We need to work together to bring rally with banners and placards,
write posters, news, views and comments for removing these social evils.
Open debates and discussions must be conducted on negative effects of
social evils. Electronic media such as radio, television and internet should
run a campaign against such social evils. Academic curriculum at school
and college level must include the chapters on social evils. It is necessary
to bring change in the attitude of young and adults through education and
skill training. For example, an educated person will never discriminate
girls against boys. An educated person again will never sell their children
for money. S/he will never force their children into manual work or fix
an early marriage of their children. Implementation of law is another way
to create fear in the minds of those who practice social evils. Let us stand
together to spread awareness for ending social evils.
Teaching Guideline

Involve the students in making placards, banners, posters, pamphlets and help them in writing
meaningful slogans to spread awareness amongst the locals. Take them in a gathering of
community to understand the serious consequences of social evils.

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Words and terms you would like to know

Speak up: to express opinions freely and frankly
Implementation: putting something into effect or action

Exercise
1. Read a notice carefully and then answer the questions:

Do not be trapped by superstitions
Brothers and Sisters! Health posts have been opened in all the
villages of my district. All the physical and emotional ailments are to
be diagnosed and treated by certified doctors and medical experts.
Nobody will be forced to face the accusations of being Bokshis (witch)
or caught by ghosts. Dhami and Jhankari should not have any role in
treating people in unscientific way. A patient should go to doctors and
visit a health post. If you get a fever then it is not a sin of anything.
It is a problem of human body and must be treated by a doctor. In
case a person loses eyesight, it is not a curse of God. It is because of
unhealthy nutrition, genetic problem or unnecessary stress on eyes.
This is how every physical and emotional problem must be cured
and further prevented.
District Civil Hospital
Mahotari
(A) What types of evil practices are being highlighted in a notice above?
(B) Why do common villagers do not see doctors in health posts when

they are not well?
(C) What are the causes of diseases? How should one diagnose them?
(D) What lessons have you learnt from a notice displayed above?
2. Make posters and slogans to raise strong voices against social evils
the way you want. Some of the examples of posters and slogans are
being given here.

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Look at the slogans below:

(A) End all the superstitions. (B) Being spendthift is bad habit.

(C) End child labor. (D) Untouchability is a crime.

(E) Both boys and girls are equal. (F) Girl trafficking is punishable
in law.

(G) Smoking destroys health and wealth.

4. Form a group of 5 students to discuss different methods to raise
awareness in order to root out social evils.

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Lesson 6 Functions of Other Institutions
and Organizations

We require a variety of services in our daily life. The services like education,
healthcare, transportation and communication among others make us more
productive in our daily life. These services are delivered to us by specific
organizationns. We also need food, drinking water, electricity, bank,
personal security, and so on for our survival. Government is considered
as the most powerful institution to provide all the essential services to
citizens.

Government institutions such as Nepal Television, Radio Nepal and Post offices.

Some of the examples of institutions and organizations which function in
our society are:
1. Television Station/Studio: Television station/studio regulates and

organizes interview, discussion and debates over various important
issues of national and international importance. Reporters are
connected to the anchor in studio. This is how viewers get the news
and views from all over the world.
2. Post Office: It helps in delivering parcels, posts and other things from
one place to another. Post office is more useful in remote areas of Nepal
where internet and phone connectivity is poor or just absent.
3. Bank: Bank is a financial institution which accepts money as deposits
from the customers and extends loans to citizens, industries, traders,
business persons etc.
4. Schools and Colleges: Schools and colleges are centers of learning to

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develop skills and gain knowledge. Schools provide basic education
and play important roles in developing student’s personality. Colleges
and universities are centers of higher learning and research study. All
the children begin their education from school and attend college as
youth for higher education.

5. Hospital/Health Post: Hospitals and health posts help diagnose the
diseases both physical and emotional, gives tips for preventing diseases
and cures them. Hospitals provide the services of experts in medicine
like doctors, nurses and health assistants.

6. Telephone Department: This department gives connection to citizens
for installing telephone in homes, offices, industries and trading
centers. It collects the money for using telephone facilities.

7. Police Station and Nepalese Army: Police station maintains law and
order in the allotted area. It receives complaints of crimes and violation
of fundamental rights. It investigates the cases and arrests the accused
(suspects). It is the responsibility of police station to protect life and
property of common citizens. Nepalese army protects us from violent
internal disturbance and civil war. It also helps us in natural disasters
such as earthquake, landslide and flood.

8. Drinking Water Department: This department regulates the fair and
60 Nova Social Studies And Creative Arts Grade-4 >>

proper distribution of drinking water amongst the common citizens.
It joins every house with water supply pipe. It collects tax on use of
drinking water from the citizens of the country.

9. Electricity Department: This department connects the houses and other
places to supply electricity. It collects the charges for using electricity
from every house, organization, office etc.

10. Waste Disposal Department: All kinds of solid and liquid wastes are
managed by this department. It devises the ways to collect wastes from
villages, towns, colonies and houses for safe disposal.

11. Village Council/Municipality: This is local body which recommends
cases for acquiring citizenship, collects taxes, and mediates into local
disputes between two individuals or groups.

There are many other institutions/organizations which function as ‘Non-
Government Organization’ also make contributions in delivering different
types of services.

Teaching Guideline

Take the students to different institutions/organizations so that students develop the
understanding of the functioning of these institutions. Advice them to accompany their
parents/guardians to visit bank, electricity department, hospital, telephone department and
so on. This is how they will get direct exposure and their life will become smooth. If their
guardians/parents are ignorant about the existence of such institutions then these students can
help them to take benefits from there.

Words and terms you would like to know

Connectivity: the ability to communicate with another system or piece of hardware or software,
or with an Internet site
Mediate: to work with both sides in a dispute in an attempt to help them to reach an agreement

Exercise

1. Choose the correct words to complete a sentence and fill up the
blanks below to complete sentences:

Shubham Bhandari leaves his house in the morning to attend his work
in (office/shop/farmland). Ravi was playing in the corridor at that
time. Maneesha entered just then and took away Ravi outside in the
garden for playing hide and seek. Some strangers entered the house
and committed ................. After some time, Both Ravi and Maneesha
returned home to find all the goods scattered and other valuable items

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missing. Ravi ran out to inform................. regarding what happened in
his house. All the neighbours gathered in no time. They informed the
police immediately. Police reached the spot and began to investigate
into the crime. Next day thieves were caught. Missing goods and

valuable items were also recovered.

2. We require various essential goods and services in our daily life.
Unfortunately, problems do arise in getting those goods and services.
What activity will you perform or which institution will you visit in
following situations (cases)?

Situation of life Activities to perform and
institution to visit
Water supply through pipes got
stopped. Get a complaint registered with
Drinking Water Department/
Office.

Cash money needs to be
withdrawn.

A letter is to be posted.

A sick patient requires a
treatment.

Phone line in a house is not
working.

Garbage box got filled up fully.

Younger sister grows up to be a
student.

3. Collect the logos of some of the popular institutions/organizations
of Nepal. Affix (paste) them on a hard cardboard and also mention
their work (functions).

4. How many institutions/organizations have you visited till now?
Write about them along with their functions.

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Lesson 7 A Visit to a Local Social
Organization

Today all the students of Grade Four are going to visit a local organization:
Youth Club. The plan of visit goes like this:

A visit to study a Local Youth Club

Where to go (visit): Chautari Youth Club

Why to go (visit): To know the functions of this club

At what time to go: Before noon 11 AM

Who will go: All the students of Grade Four and a teacher

Who to meet: President of a Local Youth Club

What are the questions to be asked: When was this club founded? What
are its functions? How many people it has covered or covered for? What
is the next plan for this club?

Mr. Yogendra Yadav took all the students to Chautari Youth Club. President
Reema Shrestha welcomed all the students and took them to a classroom.
She normally gives guidelines to her volunteers and staff on how to achieve
the objectives of the club in this classroom. Students were very excited and
listened to the president Reema Shrestha. Reema Shretha explained, “This
is a local youth club in our village. This is “Chautari Youth Club”. I am the
president of this club and works for the local development. This club also
works for the conservation and preservation of natural resources available
at local level. It was founded in 2060 BS. Some of its important functions
are:

1. Cleanliness in surroundings 2. Protecting community forest

3. Conducting sports and games 4. Planting trees

5. Conducting adult education 6. Promoting girl education

7. Working against child labor 8. Skill development for youth

9. Creating cottage and small scale industries for youth

These are some of the important functions that our club is engaged in. We
also take suggestions from local people to expand our activities”.

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All the students liked the work of Chautari Youth Club and discussed the
same in the classroom.

Teaching Guideline

There are Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and some other organizations functioning
to bring development in local community. Tell the students how local organization or a club
works to develop local areas and bring local people together to participate in development.
Take them to visit other local organizations and allow them to observe the work and allow
them to ask questions from the office-bearers.

Words and terms you would like to know

Expand: to become or make something become larger in size, scope, or extent, or greater in
number or amount
Preservation: the maintenance of something, especially something of historic value, in an
unchanged condition
Conservation: the preservation, management, and care of natural and cultural resources

Exercise
1. Make a list of all the institutions/organizations which are providing

services and support to your community. You can use a table given
below.

S.N. Name of Organization Function of the Organization
1. Children Club (Bal Club) It works for protecting children

rights.

2.

3.

4.

5.

2. Visit a local organization and observe how it works for developing
the local area. Conduct interviews of office bearers and local people.
Prepare a report of your visit by taking help from your teacher.
Present the report to your class teacher.

3. Organize an educational excursion to a community forest. Find out
how useful the community forest is for the survival of the local
people. Who manages the forest and how? Write all the details and
share the same with your classmates.

4. What will you do if a local organization in your village/town is not
functioning well?

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UNIT

4

Civic Sense

Lesson 1: Our Rights
Lesson 2: Children's Participation
Lesson 3: Natural Resources
Lesson 4: Our Cultural Heritages
Lesson 5: Cleanliness in Public Places
Lesson 6: Traffic Rules
Lesson 7: Village Council
Lesson 8: Municipality
Lesson 9: Equal Treatment to All

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Lesson 1 Our Rights

Human rights guarantee protection against exploitation, domination and
unnecessary restrictions. Human rights are natural rights which every
human being is born with. Human rights exist right from the birth of a child
and continue throughout the life. Human rights are the necessity at every
stage of life: childhood, youth, adulthood and old age. Children are always
dependent upon others and therefore need to be looked after properly.
Children will not grow fully if they are denied shelter, nutrition, education,
healthcare and emotional protection. Child rights help children from being
neglected, abused and exploited in hands of irresponsible adults present in
family, neighbourhood or anywhere in a society.

My name is Dinesh Giri and I study in Grade Four. I have friends like
Laxmi Shah, Bhusan Yadav, Fatima Ansari, Sunanda Shrestha who study
with me in the same class. We have a class discussion on child rights today
with our Social Studies teacher Miss Grishma Baral. Miss Grishma enters
the classroom. All the students stand up to greet her. She responds and
asks all the students to be seated.

Dinesh: Miss, we want to know about Children’s rights today. Would you
explain it to us?

Teacher: Children’s rights are the human rights focusing on basic needs
of children such as physical and emotional protection, shelter, nutrition,
education, healthcare and recreation. Children require care and nurturing.
Children’s rights provide them all that they need for their healthy growth
without being abused by anyone including parents, teachers and relatives.

Fatima: Miss, I have seen so many children not attending school in my
locality. Some of them work in farmland. In some cases parents allow them

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

to work as servants or toil in a factory (or industry). What is your view on
this and how to protect their rights in such cases?

Teacher: As I have already stated that children are dependent upon adults
for their nurturance, protection and guidance they need to grow as effective
and productive adults. Many children in Nepal live and grow in poverty.
They do not have adequate health care, education, nutrition, safe water,
housing, community services and so on. Neglect of Children by parents or
guardians is punishable by law. Exploiting them for earning money or in
any other manner is prohibited by law. Children are vulnerable and they
cannot protect themselves. They are dependent upon others. There are local
organizations, government department and other welfare organizations
working for children’s welfare.

Bhusan: Miss, can you tell us about various dimensions (elements) of
children’s rights?

Teacher: No society will progress if children’s rights are not protected. The
following are important dimensions or the elements of Children’s rights:

1. Protection from abuse, exploitation and harmful substances

2. Provision for education, health care and an adequate standard of
living

3. Listening to children’s views and respecting their abilities and
capacities

4. Specific protections to children belonging to Dalits, poor class and
other marginalized sections of a society

Sunanda: Miss, Let us come on to women's plight in our society. Nepalese
women are still backward. They need protection and due respect in our
family and society. How do you see the issue women rights?

Teacher: Women’s rights are aimed at empowering women and give them
gender justice in every sphere of life. Nepalese society is changing now.
Women are being recognized for their qualities of heart and intelligence.
Constitution of Nepal has specially mentioned about women’s rights.

• No gender discrimination in family, community and society

• Women have right to education, healthcare, shelter and dignity.

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• Every woman has right to hereditary property
• All the social evils endangering life and property of women are

prohibited.
• Women will have representation in the government departments.

Sunanda: Thank you Miss for giving us overview of human rights with
special reference to children and women.
Class ends and teacher goes out of the classroom.
Teaching Guideline

It is mandatory for every student to know about their rights so that they can resist exploitation,
bullying and discrimination in their childhood. Guide the children where to go and whom to
contact if any adult anywhere misbehaves with them. Also mention about women’s rights so
that both girls and boys are able to identify the situations where their mother, sister and other
women are being exploited. Give them several situations of life where they should know how
children and women are exploited by adults in different settings of life. Encourage them to
speak out when their rights are violated.

Words and terms you would like to know

Look after: to care for or be responsible for somebody or something
Nurture: to give tender care and protection to a young child, animal, or plant, helping it to grow
and develop
Nutrition: foods, or the minerals, vitamins, and other nourishing substances that they contain
Hereditary: holding a right, function, or property by right of inheritance

Exercise
1. Define human right. Why do you need rights? Write in 5 sentences.
2. Are children and women safe in your family, neighbourhood and

community? Write it in detail after discussing it with elders and
senior citizens.
3. Describe why we need separate rights for children and women in
Nepal.
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4. You are such a fortunate child because you are enjoying your right
to education. You are in school. What are the other rights you are
enjoying? What are the rights you have been deprived of or denied?

Write 'Yes' if you enjoy the right and 'No' if you don't.

Children’s Rights ‘Yes’ ‘No’
Being able to play
Having means of entertainment
Having nutritious food

Getting medicine for treatment

Care being given to disabled
children
Having emotional protection
Protection against discrimination

5. Explain the child right you see below.

A B
A. ....................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................
B. ....................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................

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Lesson 2 Children's Participation

Child participation in various activities with a view to developing their
personality is one of the most important dimensions of their rights.
Children and young people have every right to freely express their views
on anything they think is right or wrong. They have right to participate
in an activity they like and deny anything they don't. Every adult has
an obligation to listen to children’s views. Children’s interest must be
taken into account while making decisions within the family, schools,
local communities, public services and other institutions. Children and
young people are future of nation. They are the agents of social change.
Children's participation in the activities develop a sense of belonging,
justice, responsibility and solidarity among them.

Children’s participation through different media expands their skills and understanding.

My name is Rupak Sharma and I am the student of Grade Four. My
Social Studies teacher Miss Grishma Baral has shown us various ways
to participate in a number of activities in school, neighbourhood and
community according to our interest. Participation in different activities
entrances children's learning skills, ideas and improve their conduct.
There are parties, festivals, sports, tours, excursions and other such
activities organized by family members or teachers in school. Children
should work as assistant to an adult while managing these events. This
is the opportunity of learning for children to develop their skills of
leadership. Adults must pay attention to children's views, opinions and
their other activities.

Miss Grishma Baral, our Social Studies teacher, always listens to children's
views while selecting monitor, conducting debates and discussion, deciding
for class activities, going for community survey, organizing class drama
and other such events. She assigns roles and responsibilities to children

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with clear instructions of Do’s and Don’ts. Just the other day, I was selected
a class monitor only after more than half of my classmates voted in my
favor. Miss Grishma Baral told us that it was a democratic way of electing
a leader. I knew from her that Nepal is a democratic country and all the
citizens participate in electing their leaders by voting for them. I was very
happy to know that I became the leader of my class because my friends
participated in electing me. As a monitor now, I allow my fellow students
to participate in managing discipline, cleanliness and good friendly
atmosphere in the class.

Children are taking part in group discussion and expressing their views in a discussion.

Teaching Guideline

Participation in an event or activity which affects children directly is their fundamental right.
Encourage the students to participate in different activities at home, in school or community
with a view to developing healthy positive attitude amongst them.

Words and terms you would like to know

Do’s and Don’ts: rules or customs concerning some activity
Democracy: the free and equal right of every person to participate in a system of government,
often practiced by electing representatives of the people by the
majority of the people
Assistant: serving to help or be useful
Solidarity: harmony of interests and responsibilities among individuals in a group

Exercise
1. Do you know how to elect a class monitor in a democratic manner?

Make a ballot box, write your choice on a piece of paper, fold it
secretly and drop it in the ballot box. Ask your teacher to count all
the votes and announce the name who is elected as a class monitor.
Ask your teacher how leaders at local and national level are elected
in our country Nepal.

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2. What are the events and activities where children like you get
involved while taking decisions at home? Discuss it in the classroom
and make a list of a series of such participation.
(A) I take part in discussion when my parents plan to buy clothes for
me and my siblings. I suggest design, colour and other aspects of
clothes to my parents.
(B) ...................................................................................................................
(C) ...................................................................................................................
(D) ...................................................................................................................
(E) ....................................................................................................................

3. If you were elected a class monitor, what work or role would you
play? Consult your teacher and classmates before writing an answer.

4. If you get a chance to conduct an interview of one of your classmates
then what questions will you ask on children’s rights and his or her
views or participation of children in different activities?

5. Explain the following two pictures in your own words pointing out
children’s participation.

A B
A. ....................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................
B. ....................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................

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Lesson 3 Natural Resources

Nepal is a rich country in natural recourses. Nepal is blessed by nature
with gifts like forest, rivers and lakes, fertile soil and mineral resources
among others. These are the natural resources.

Hariyo Ban, Nepal ko Dhan Rivers – Source of Hydroelectricity

Here is a brief description of our natural resources:

Forest Resource: The total forest area of Nepal is estimated to be around
30% of the total area of the country. Green forests are the wealth of Nepal
(Hariyo Ban, Nepal ko Dhan). Presence of forest sustains our economy both
at local as well as national level and purifies the atmosphere. Forest is
a habitat to the wild animals. Forests act as a base for existence of zoos,
national parks and reserves in order to preserve wild lives (animals). It
promotes tourism and helps the nation earn a huge amount of foreign
currency. Forest attracts rains and reduces air pollution. Further, forest is a
reservoir of rare medicinal herbs, firewood, grass and building materials. It
preserves the soils because the roots of the trees go down to the great depth
and capture the soil tightly. In this way, forest prevents the occurrence of
deadly landslides.

U nfortunately, forest is being cleared to meet the residential and other
needs of rapidly growing population in Nepal. People cut down the trees
for cultivation, human settlement, firewood and for building houses
and furniture. The domestic cattle are taken to the jungle to graze plants
and trees. There are people who cut down the trees to sell for money.
The destruction of forests is harmful for the local communities of Nepal
because they are dependent on it for their livelihood and survival. Loss of

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forests invites natural disasters like drought, landslides, climate change,
siltation of rivers and lakes and so on. Therefore, preservation of forest is
an urgent need of the present time. Vigorous campaign for planting trees
(afforestation) in entire country must continue for long. Illegal selling of
firewood, timber and rare plants or herbs must be strictly banned by laws.
Water Resource: Nature has been very kind to Nepal in giving sources of
fresh water from rains, rivers and lakes. It also has several mighty rivers
arising in the Nepalese Himalayas. Eight of the ten highest mountain peaks
in the world are located in Nepal. The country’s three biggest river systems
- the Kosi, Gandaki and Karnali - originate in high-mountain glaciers and
finally flow into the Ganges river system. The abundant water resources
make Nepal a prime location for hydropower development besides
irrigation and drinking water facilities.

The snow-covered Himalayan Mountains are the source of perennial rivers in Nepal.

I t is sad that Nepal has not been very quick to harness its water resources
to meet the energy demands, drinking water problems and irrigation.
Pollution of rivers is another burning issue at present in Nepal. Both solid
and liquid wastes from rural and urban areas of Nepal have contaminated
the fresh water of rivers. The polluted rivers have become medium of
spreading diseases amongst the people living nearby. The local community
should join hands with the government for keeping rivers clean.
Teaching Guideline

Take the students on an excursion for observing natural resources such as forest, national
park, wildlife reserve, rivers etc. Explain the importance of these resources in our personal
and community development. Also, give them tips to preserve these resources by suggesting
change in their behaviors like planting trees, not polluting river waters etc

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Words and terms you would like to know

Sustain: nourish somebody
Reservoir: large backup supply
Rapidly: happening very quickly
Residential: relating to private housing
Siltation: deposition of fine-grained sediments, especially of mud or clay particles at the bottom
of a river or lake
Harness: to gain control of something and use it for some purpose

Exercise
1. Make a list of natural resources surrounding your village or town.

Also describe how these resources have been utilized to positively
change the lifestyle of people living there.

2. Nepal is full of flora and fauna. A variety of plants, birds and wild
animals are found here. Draw a table in your exercise book and
write the names of these plants, birds and animals found in your

surroundings:

Flora (Plants and Trees) Fauna (Birds and Animals)

3. What are the causes of deforestation in different parts of Nepal?
4. What are the different steps to be taken in order to protect or preserve

forest in Nepal?
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................

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Lesson 4 Our Cultural Heritages

Nepal is rich in cultural heritages. These multi-dimensional heritages of
Nepal have evolved over the centuries. The rich and unique culture of
Nepal reflects through music, dance, art, craft, folklores, rituals, festivals,
foods, dresses, languages, literature, religions and philosophy. Nepalese
art, architecture and way of life are heavily inspired from Hinduism and
Buddhism. Hindu and Buddhist traditions in Nepal are more than two
millennia old. More than 123 languages are spoken in Nepal. Several of
the festivals celebrated here last from one to several days. Celebration of
most of the festivals is incomplete without display of dance, drama, song
and music. A variety of special foods are served on the occasion of such
celebrations. Dashain is the longest and the most important festival of
Nepal. Kabbadi and Dandi Biyo are our national games. At the same time
people are crazy about games like football, cricket and basketball.

Nepal is famous in the world for having classical heritage sites of religious
and historical importance. Some of these sites located in Kathmandu Valley
are Pashupatinath Temple, Swyambhunath, Boudhnath, Changunarayan,
Hanuman Dhoka, Patan and Bhaktapur Durbar Squares. There are other
herigate sites which are located outside the Kathmandu Valley. Famous
amongst them are Ram-Janaki Temple in Janakpur district and Manakamna
Temple in Gorkha District.

Swyambhunath Boudhanath Changunarayan

One day all the students of Grade Four of Kanpur Secondary School located
in Kavrepalanchok District planned an educational excursion to a nearby
temple. Social Studies teacher led this trip by assigning different tasks to
five different groups consisting of five students in each group. A group of

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

Ravi Ranjan Prashad was given the task of writing down all the details of
the trip while others were given the task of taking photos, making videos,
collecting pamphlets and taking interviews. Here are the details prepared
by a group of Ravi Ranjan:

Place visited: Pokhari Narayan Sthan Village Council

District: Kavrepalanchok

Temple: Narayan Temple

Facts about temple and its surroundings: Temple’s door is located in the
south while a stone pillar stands in the west direction. Many Trishuls have
been tied around the pillar. Some of them are even embedded in the earth
near to the stone pillar. The Narayan temple is located in the middle of a
dense forest. Visitors and devotees take up a path running through the
jungle to reach the site. Nobody is allowed to disturb the natural habitat
and solitude of this forest. All trees, animals and birds are considered sacred
here. All of them are treated like members of Narayan family. Truly so, all
the students felt purity of existence in the surroundings of the Narayan
temple. A big pond located by the side of temple collects the rain water
by using the technique of rain harvesting. The collected water is used for
various purposes in the temple such as cleanliness, daily use and bathing.
A school and a health post are located in the diameter of one kilometer
from this temple. The dense forest separates the Narayan Temple from the
neighbouring villages. Hills and Himalayan peaks are clearly visible from
here. This temple lies to the east from Kanpur Secondary School and takes
an hour and 30 minutes to reach the spot. No doubt, it is a difficult terrain
to climb up but it gives memorable experience of life.

All the five groups of students completed their tasks given to them during
the trip. They made their presentations in front of a teacher. At the end,
Social Studies teacher added few more information about the cultural
heritages of Nepal in his concluding remarks.

Teaching Guideline

Take the students to various cultural sites such as Pati, Pauwa, Temples, Gumbas, Vihars,
Chaityas, Mosque, Church etc. Encourage them to take up such tours with their parents and
guardians. This kind of travelling will give them exposure to understand diversity in our
cultural patterns throughout the country. Instruct them to keep a diary and pen for writing
down important details of the places and sites they have visited.

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Words and terms you would like to know

Classical: relating or belonging to ancient culture
Millennium: A period of 1,000 years; two millennia means two thousand years
Folklore: traditional stories and explanations passed down in a community or country
Consist: to be made up of diverse parts

Exercise
1. Make a list of cultural heritages found in your district.

2. There are many cultural sites in Nepal. These are: Temples, Gumbas,
Chaityas, Mosques and Churches. Suggest ways to protect and
preserve each of these sites.

3. Have you participated in an effort aimed at protecting and preserving
the cultural heritages of your community? Make a list of these efforts
and give brief description.

4. Recognize the following two world heritage sites of Nepal and give
brief introduction to them.

A B

5. Visit a cultural site located in your village or town or in nearby area.
Prepare a report of your visit on following lines:

(a) Place visited:

(b) District:

(c) Landmarks surrounding the place

(d) Description of the Spot (site):

(e) Time and Distance from school/home

(f) Direction to which the site is located from school/home

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Lesson 5 Cleanliness in Public Places

Cleanliness in public places prevents diseases and increases the efficiency
of people. As the cleanliness of the house is necessary, so is the cleanliness
in public places. Nepal is a country of villages. Many people live in rural
areas. Nepal is facing a problem of cleanliness. Many people fall sick here
every year because of contamination of water, air and land. Because of the
lack of awareness, some people are not conscious about health, hygiene
and cleanliness of the place where they live or visit. If a person defecates,
urinates or spits in an open place, the passersby carry the disease causing
germs and spread it further. Animals, flies and other insects are also the
carriers of diseases from polluted air, water and land. Small children in
rural and urban areas are found playing in an open space. They might come
into the contact with contaminated water, air and soil unknowingly. Flies
might sit on it and then contaminate the exposed food kept in a house or
other eating points outside. This is how diseases like diarrhea and cholera
spread like epidemic in Nepal.

Keep the public places clean and learn how to dispose of wastes

Prevention is always better than cure. Each house in Nepal should have
proper toilets with flush system to stop open defecation. This is how toilets
are kept clean and prevent stool from being discharged into nearby rivers

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and streams. Similarly, the disposal of garbage in public places invites
flies and mosquitoes which spread disease causing germs. Municipal
authorities must ensure proper disposal of garbage and waste in the local
areas. Dustbins should be emptied at proper places. People should not
throw trash negligently on road from the windows of their house. The
habits and mindset of common people need to be changed to cultivate
sense of personal hygiene, cleanliness and discipline to protect the public
places. A compost pit should be used for disposing garbage in rural areas so
that garbage gets decomposed naturally. Polluted water from the houses,
factories and industries must not be allowed to flow into the open space
outside. There must not be open drains and they need to be properly built
and covered. There should not be any compromise on personal hygiene.
Public places require public toilets and urinals all over the country. There
must also be check on vehicular pollution by implementing laws to take
old vehicles off the road.

Let us join hands together to keep public places clean for healthy living
and happy life.

Teaching Guideline

Take the students to different public places starting from their own school. Ask them to observe
the system of garbage disposal, facility for drinking water, toilets and eating points. Let them
enquire questions like How often the cleaning staff report on duty, how the shopkeepers,
venders or regular visitors cooperate with each other to keep the place clean and so on. Help
them draw differences between clean and dirty public places based on their personal direct
experience.

Words and terms you would like to know

Ensure: to make sure something will happen or be available
Cultivate: to improve or develop something
Contaminate: to make something impure, unclean or polluted

Exercise
1. Rajina lives in Chhativan Village Council of Makwanpur District.

She studies in Grade Four in a local school. She along with her
schoolmates is planning to take part in cleanliness programme in
her village. Suggest them ways to make this program successful.

2. Highlight the advantages of maintaining cleanliness on public
places. Also point out the disadvantages of neglecting hygiene and
cleanliness in those places.

3. Make a plan to clean the surroundings of your school. Write the
details how you will execute this plan.

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4. Encourage your classmates to write interesting slogans on importance
of public places for making posters. For your help, one slogan is
written here: “Keep clean, use the dustbin”.
(A.)...................................................... (B.).....................................................
(C.)..................................................... (D.).....................................................

5. Look at the following pictures and imagine a beautiful story on
“Cleanliness”. Write a short story in your own words by creating
characters and situations in human setting.

A B
6. Prepare rules and regulations for both teachers and students in order

to maintain cleanliness within your school. Use the following table:
Rules to be followed by teachers Rules to be followed by students
(A) No smoking during school (A) Ban on chewing gum in school
hours
(B) ................................................ (B) ...............................................
(C) .................................................. (C) ...............................................
(D) ................................................... (D) ...............................................
(E) ................................................... (E) ...............................................
(F) .................................................. (F) ................................................
(G) ................................................. (G) ...............................................

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Lesson 6 Traffic Rules

Traffic rules help in governing traffic on road and regulating the movement
of vehicles. These rules of the traffic have developed over a period of time
to facilitate the flow of traffic in orderly manner. Traffic on roads includes
all the road users such as pedestrians, ridden or herded animals, vehicles,
streetcars, buses and other conveyances. Thus traffic rules are beneficial
for all of us to save our life and reach the destination in time. Traffic rules
apply to all road users.

Watch out on Zebra crossing No phone while driving Stick to your lane and give side

Reckless honking disrupts everyone on road Always use zebra crossing for being safe

There are some basic traffic rules which must be kept in mind by all the
road users:
1. Nobody is allowed to drive a motor vehicle without having a license.
2. Cyclists and pedestrians must stick to extreme left side or allotted lane

on road.
3. Motor drivers must be alert to check the speed of vehicles when children,

disabled, old people and stray animals are around.
4. Traffic signs and symbols must be observed and followed by all the

road users.

5. Drivers of vehicles must keep their attention on either side and in front
of a road.

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6. We must follow the instructions from given by traffic police and traffic
lights.

7. Do not perform reckless overtaking and keep a safe distance or drive
slowly when passing pedestrians or bicycles come in front.

8. Pedestrians must use the sidewalk or overhead bridge if it is present.
9. Be sure to observe pedestrian traffic lights and look both ways at a

pedestrian or railroad crossing to check that it is safe for crossing the
road.
10. Drivers on road should drive at a safe speed and within the speed limit.

Drivers must check the speed while driving through residential colony in a city or town.

11. Motorcyclists must not drive on the pedestrian lane or sidewalks in
case of congestion or otherwise.

12. Children must not stand or play in the middle of a road particularly
expressway or city road.

These are some of the basic traffic rules for safe driving and making a road
a lane of success and happiness.
Teaching Guideline

Invite a traffic police in your school to explain all the commonly used traffic rules and traffic
signs to students. In absence of a traffic police, you can take a lead and explain the meaning
of some of the important symbols to them. Take them out on road to exactly make them
understand what behaviors are safe and unsafe through observation.

Words and terms you would like to know

Orderly: well-behaved or peaceful
Expressway: wide fast highway with several lanes in each direction, designed for fast direct
travel especially through or around a city
Pedestrian: somebody who is traveling on foot, especially in an area also used by cars
Reckless: marked by a lack of thought about danger
Overtake: to catch up with and pass a person or vehicle traveling in the same direction
Conveyance: a vehicle or other means of transportation
Shoulder: a strip of land along the side of a road

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Exercise
1. Explain why we need traffic rules.
2. What are the necessary traffic rules to be followed by pedestrians?
3. What are the consequences of not following the traffic rules?
4. Ask everybody to writes the traffic rules on a page in the classroom.

Collect all the pages from each of them and make a garland by
piercing a thread through them. Hang it in the classroom and take
your turn to read all the traffic rules written on all these pages.
5. Learn the following traffic signs and draw them in your workbook.

6. Mark right ( √ ) if a statement is correct and marks it wrong (X) if a
statement is incorrect:
(A) If both the road and the hard shoulder are blocked, the pavement
may be used as a road.
(B) Instead of seat belts, wear a garland of flowers, or a Rudraksh
beads or a religious thread for better protection.
(C) We should cross the road only through zebra crossing or overhead
bridge.
(D) Red light on traffic means stop and do not cross the road.
(E) Green light on traffic means go and cross the road.
(F) Talk on mobile phone or listen to songs while riding bicycle or
crossing the road.

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

(G) Walk to the extreme right on a road having no pedestrian lane.
(H) Traffic rules are followed because domestic animals encroach on a

road or children are found playing there.

7. What is wrong in following two pictures? Describe in your own
words.

A B
A. ....................................................................................................................
B. ....................................................................................................................

8. Explain the meaning of traffic symbols given below:

A B C D E

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

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

C. ....................................................................................................................

D. ....................................................................................................................

E. ....................................................................................................................

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Lesson 7 Village Council

A village council in Nepal is popularly known as Gaunpalika or rural
municipality. A village council acts as a local level executive. An executive
body of village council consists of an elected chairperson, deputy
chairperson, ward chairpersons and other elected members from wards.
The following qualifications are needed to become a member of an executive
body of village council (Gaunpalika) in Nepal:

(A.) S/he is a citizen of Nepal.

(B.) S/he has completed minimum 21 years of age.

(C.) S/he is enrolled in the voters’ list of village council.

(D.) S/he is not held ineligible by any law of land.

The executive functions of the Village Council is exercised in the name of
Village executive All the members of an executive body of village council
hold office for 5 years from the date of their appointment. Those who are
from marginalized class, women, Adibasi and other backward class are
given representation in decision making in a village council.

An executive body of village council takes decisions to work in areas like
education, health, maintaining peace and order etc. Look at the list below
to find out major works that a village council does:

• To organize local market, rural fair and conduct literacy program

• To construct and maintain well, pond, water tap, pavement, resting
86 Nova Social Studies And Creative Arts Grade-4 >>

places, rural roads and so on

• To manage the facilities for farmers in areas of irrigation, agricultural
credits and skills

• To control soil erosion, manage flood, cleaning rivers and rescue
victims of natural disasters

• To be the participant in generation of electricity by river-water, wind
and solar energy and manage distribution of produced electricity

• To construct, maintain and manage community hall, inn, public
toilets, school, library, hospices, health posts and other sub-health
posts

Teaching Guideline

Tell the students to visit their own village council and find out the necessary details regarding
composition and functions of this local body.

Words and terms you would like to know

Irrigation: bring a supply of water to a dry area, especially in order to help crops to grow
Representation: the system by which electors vote for people to represent them as legislators,
administrators, or judges, or the group of people so elected
Ward: Wards are the smallest units of local governance. Each ward has a committee (WC) made
up of elected members.

Exercise

1. What is a village council? What are the functions of a village council?

2. Give reasons for the following statements.

(A) A village council ensures proper use and distribution of state
funds.

(B) A village council helps in having productive interaction amongst
government officials, non-governmental organizations and other
social organizations.

3. Visit your village council and find out the latest development projects
it is working on. Write the details of these development projects.

4. It is difficult to bring peace, prosperity and happiness in the life
of people living in rural Nepal without having village councils at
bottom level. How far do you agree with this observation? Write
with examples.
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5. Fill up the necessary details below:
(A) Name of your village council or rural municipality:
(B) Name of chairperson and Deputy chairperson of your village
council:
(C) Name of chairperson of your ward:
(D) Name of members of your ward:
Composition of Village Council Executive
Chairperson

Deputy Chairperson

Ward Chairperson Nominated Members

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Lesson 8 Municipality

Municipality is an urban unit of local government. A municipality is urban
administrative division having powers of self-government or jurisdiction.
It is within the power of the Government to declare a village council to
be a municipality based on fixed criteria. The government of Nepal
declares an area as a municipality, sub-metropolitan city and metropolitan
city. Municipalities in Nepal come in three levels of self-government:
metropolitan city, sub-metropolitan municipality and municipality.

What are the criteria for government of Nepal to declare an administrative
area as municipality, sub-metropolitan city and metropolitan city?

1. Municipality: A municipality has the following requirements to fulfill:

(a) A minimum population of 20,000 (10,000 for those within
Himalayan region)

(b) A minimum annual income of 40 lakhs Rupees

(c) A semi-urban area possessing electricity, road, drinking water,
communication and similar other basic facilities

2. Sub-metropolitan City: A sub-metropolis has the following
requirements to fulfill:

(a) A minimum population of 150,000

(b) Minimum annual income of 10 crores Rupees

(c) Facilities like electricity, drinking water and communication

(d) Facilities like pitched roads, gardens, parks, city hall, open fields
and stadiums for organizing sports and games, institutions for
higher education and health services

3. Metropolitan City: It is a region consisting of a densely populated
urban core and its less-populated surrounding territories, sharing
industry, infrastructure, and housing. A metropolis has the following
requirements to fulfill:

(a) A minimum population of 300,000

(b) A minimal annual income of 40 crores Rupees

(c) Facilities like pitched roads, electricity, drinking water, sports
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fields, stadiums to host international games, communication,
higher educational institutions (at least one university) and special
health services like hospital, medical college
According to the new structure, there are now six metropolitan cities and 11
sub-metropolitan cities and municipalities in Nepal. Six metropolises are:
Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Pokhara, Bharatpur, Biratnagar and Birgunj. These
urban local bodies act as a local self government for the convenience and
betterment of the people. This is how the democratic governance reaches
at the door-steps of the common people.

A metropolis in Nepal

Every municipality is headed by a Mayor. The municipal executive functions
under her/his chair. Besides having a ‘Mayor’ as a head, the municipal
executive consists of a ‘Deputy Mayor’, ward chairperson elected from
each ward and other elected members. ‘Mayor and Deputy Mayor’ act as
the Head and Deputy Head of the municipal executive. Representation to
women, minorities and marginalized class (Dalits) is given amongst the
other members of the municipal executive.
Any person with the following qualifications is eligible for election to the
post of Head, Deputy Head, ward chairperson and members:
(a) S/he is a Nepali citizen.

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(b) S/he has attained twenty-one years of age.

(c) S/he is included in the voters list of the Municipality.

(d) S/he is not declared ineligible to hold the post by any law of the land.

The term of office of the Head, Deputy Head, ward chairperson and
Municipal executive members has been fixed to be five years. No person is
entitled to be the Mayor for more than two terms.

The following are the major responsibilities of a municipality:

 To make a plan for development

 To give clearance to architectural map for houses and buildings to be
constructed

 To protect and preserve well, taps, ponds, historical and cultural sites
etc

 To manage the disposal of waste (or garbage)

 To work towards improving the standard of education, health and
sports

 To construct and maintain roads

 To ban the use of injurious drinks and harmful drugs

 To manage and maintain hospitals, hospices and other health centers
promoting Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Naturopathy, Yoga etc.

 To manage orphanage, old-age homes and other such organizations

 To set up and promote cottage and small scale industries

 To plant trees at both the sides of the trees and maintain lighting in the
streets as well as on the roads

 To organize and regulate local markets and fair
Teaching Guideline

Take the students on a trip to visit office of mayor to learn the composition and functions of a
municipality.

Words and terms you would like to know

Orphanage: home for orphans
Injurious: causing harm, hurt, damage, or distress
Ineligible: not legally entitled or qualified to do, be, or get something

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Exercise

1. Write down the requisite conditions on the basis of which an
urban area to be declared as municipality, sub-metropolitan or a
metropolitan city:

Urban Area Population Annual income
Municipality
Sub-Metropolitan City
Metropolitan City

2. What are the major functions of municipality?

3. Here are names of some sub-metropolitan cities: Ghorahi, Janakpur,
Hetauda, Dhangadhi, Tulsipur, Itahari, Nepalgunj, Butwal, Dharan
and Kalaiya. Show them in a map of Nepal.

4. Highlight what roles citizens should play to get maximum benefits
from their own municipality and offices of sub metropolis and
metropolis.

5. What are the important decisions will you take as a mayor to make
your city better before.

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Lesson 9 Equal Treatment to All

The constitution of Nepal has clearly mentioned that all citizens are equal
before law. No discrimination will be made on the grounds of origin,
religion, race, caste, tribe, gender, language or geographical region, or
ideology or any other basis. The state must make arrangement for the
protection, empowerment or advancement of the Dalits, Adibasi, Madhesi,
Tharus, oppressed class, backward communities, minorities, marginalized
groups, peasants, laborers, youths, children, senior citizens etc. There
shall be no gender discrimination in any form anywhere. Both men and
women are to be paid equally for equal work. Women are even entitled
to get parental property. Nepalese society is working towards ending all
kinds of discriminations at all the levels. People living in remote rural areas
of Nepal experience several challenges in the form of illiteracy, poverty
and malnutrition. Women in particular suffer from social and economic
exclusion in Nepal. Therefore, serious effort and attempts are afoot to
recognize the human rights of all the groups (sections) of the Nepalese
society.

Human beings are capable of doing all the tasks if properly trained and educated for it.

Mahamaya lives in Taplejung District. She is a teacher in a local primary
school. She is the resident of Phungling market. Phungling is the
headquarter (Sadarmukam) of Taplejung district. There are several offices
of different government departments located here. Staff members working
in these offices live near to Mahamaya’s residence. Some of them know

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Mahamaya and visit her house. Mahamaya welcomes all of them without
discrimination and plays a good host. She fully understands that every
work has its value and dignity. People doing different types of works are
needed for a proper functioning of a society. Therefore, Mahamaya respects
all such as laborers, farmers, soldiers, traders, teachers, doctors, engineers
and so on. She does not discriminate men against women.

Gender discrimination in any form anywhere at any platform is punishable by law.

Both men and women have equal capacity to perform any task. As doctors
are important in our society so are laborers and workers. As scientists and
inventors positively change our society, so are drivers and plumbers. Each
work has its own value. Therefore, we must not devalue human beings
because of the work they do or disrespect them because they belong to
certain caste or ethnic group.
Teaching Guideline

Teach the students to grow in an environment where no discrimination is practiced. Guide them
to develop attitude and behaviors which is non-discriminatory in approach. Teach the children
to develop fair approach and positive emotions towards all the sections of the Nepalese society.

Words and terms you would like to know

Malnutrition: a lack of healthy foods in the diet, or an excessive intake of unhealthy foods,
leading to physical harm
Discrimination: unfair treatment of one person or group, usually because of prejudice about
race, ethnicity, age, religion, or gender
Plumber: somebody who installs and repairs water, drainage, or heating pipes and fixtures in
a building

Exercise
1. Carefully observe your family, community and school. Find out how

women and girls are treated there. Write down the details of your
observation with clear examples.
2. Why should we practice equal treatment to all?

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