Daily The Hindu news analysis.

7) You are the Sarpanch of a Panchayat. There is a primary school run by the government in your area. Midday meals are provided to children attending the school. The headmaster has now appointed a new cook in the school to prepare the meals. However, when it is found that cook is from Dalit community, almost half of the children belonging to higher castes are not allowed to take meals by their parents. Consequently the attendance in the schools falls sharply. This could result in the possibility of discontinuation of midday meal scheme, thereafter of teaching staff and subsequent closing down the school. (20 Marks) (250 Words)

(a) Discuss some feasible strategies to overcome the conflict and to create right ambiance.

(b) What should be the responsibilities of different social segments and agencies to create positive social ambiance for accepting such changes?

Answer: As a Sarpanch of Village I am elected head of village choosen by people and my prime duty to act constitutionally and for the welfare of people. Some feasible Stragies:

Moral Suasion
~Telling people it’s their Fundamental Duties to send their ward to schools as per constitutions.
~If the villagers religious then citing examples of how Dalits have contributed to Indepedence of India, upliftment of society, writing constitutions and hence should be given respectful position in society.
Taking Constitutional way
~Telling in Gram Sabha that such actions of ousting Dalit cook/community is unconsitutional and they may get punished for it under “Protection of Civil Liberities Act 1976”
Telling them their duties vs oppurtunities
~If they will not send their children to school, it will injustice to children.
Answer.(b).Responsiblities of different social segments:
~Main role is for women/mothers because they are more linked to children, schools, aaganwadi, food preparation. And they have potential to disseminate positive sentiments about Mid Day meal and immoral act of ousting Dalits.
~Role of women and Self Help Group is important as they can discuss such issues at length and inclusively.
~ Elders of village as also special role as they have revered and mandating image in village setup.
~Religious heads of village acts as interpreters of mythology and religious conscience keepers. They can also help correct people mis-conception about varna system and impure image of Dalits which will help in many other dimensions also for social upliftment of Dalits.
~Role of teacher is immense as they moderate schools and distribute meals, so their role in welcoming any positive move is essential

~Last but not least, role of Children, because they will be future adult so they should be given fair chance to understand social structure.

1) “India stands out in the world because of shockingly low rates of recognised work participation by women (around 24 per cent) that have even declined over the past decade.” Critically examine the causes for this low rate. What measures should government take to increase work participation by women in both private and public organizations? Discuss.

By - Concerned writer

It is rightly said that true development of any nation can not be achieved , till all the sections of the society get equal say and contribute equally in its making. Women Constitute around 50% of India's Population but their contribution in the Public and Private sphere is not on par with the Male Population.
Reasons why there is less Women Participation in Recognized Work Sectors:
1.Patriarchal Mindset In India, still a Son is preferred over a daughter, this leads to many impediments in the growth of Female child. Illiteracy among women is a direct result of this.
2.Stereotypes: Many Stereotypes are attached with girls, For Ex. it is a stereotype attached with girls that women's cant do mechanized work/ Highly skilled work. This is unfortunate but a true situation that exists and causes obstruction in Women's being involved in such Activities.
3.Biological Reasons: Women's undergo Pregnancy and other biological phases which male do not undergo, this causes many women to take a break from the Job. Physical strength also acts a Hindrance.
4.Household work not recognized: Most of the Women's in rural areas are involved in the agriculture related activities in their own farm, similarly a large chunk of women's population is involved in the Household Work ,which are not recognized.
5.Poor Post Natal Infrastructure Facilities: Women after giving birth to child, have to stay at home and take care of their children due to poor availability of Day Care Facilities in many areas.
6.Machine Age : Most of the Work in this era of Globalization is becoming Mechanized and Technology driven , which reduces the need of Labour. Hence low rate of recruitment which inturn results in less recruitment of women.
Safety and Security Issues: Due to poor security arrangements and safety provisions , women tend to leave many Job's, Night Shift Jobs are not undertaken, this also narrows the base of their participation.
How Can Govt. Help in Improving Women's Participation:
1) Adequate Maternity Protection Maternity leaves should be increased. Recently Govt. has increased the Period of Maternity for both Public and Private firms but it is still somewhat Limited.
2. Provision of Post Natal Infrastructure Govt. should establish more Day care Centres so that working women do not leave their Job so as to take care of their Child.
3.Promotion of SHG's to Hinterlands SHG's are a very efficient method of improving Women's participation, Govt. has done a good job till now, but still many parts have not been adequately benefiting from these.
4.Special Focus on Women in the Startup-Policies Govt. should give preference to the Women Entrepreneurs in the new startup policy.
5.Awareness Programs/Promotion Schemes People should be made aware of this social menace of differentiation between a male and female child. Various schemes of Govt. are laudable in this respect. like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Ladli Laxmi Yojana etc.
6.Promotion of Handloom/Textile Sector Handloom and Textile industries(with special focus on Women's Participation) can attract and absorb Women Section and thus can help in improvement in their status.

7. Provision of Safety Provisions/ Flexibility in Shifts: Proper Safety provisions, like Cameras, 24*7 Monitoring inside the office, Van Facility should be provided to women's, Flexibility in shifts for Women employees will be a laudable step.

4) Recently, two noted personalities authored a booklet named the Sarthak Krishi Yojana suggesting government various measures to revive agriculture in India. Discuss the recommendations made in the booklet. (200 Words)

"Sarthak Krishi Yojana" authored by Y.S.P. Thorat, former NABARAD chairman and R. Gopalakrishnan, Director of Tata  Sons Limited.

Recommendations made by Sarthak krishi yojana are - 

• India needs a focused managerial framework to usher in the transformation that agriculture requires.
• India needs an integrated,managerial framework for agriculture - state led entrepreneurial risk taking with respect to farming.
• The solution as well as action with regard to agriculture Developing a consensus with the states and executing an national agenda is urgent option to be exercised by Central gov. 
•  The holistic plan should encompass technology, risk, institutions, policy and skills, and the nation needs a forward-looking Sarthak Krishi Yojana that encompasses five pillars: 

1. One, technology incubation — outcome-based technology policy encouraging research, innovation and incubation.
2. Two, risk institutions and financing — banks and financial institutions to help promote technology infusion, insurance and mechanisation.
3. Three, institutions of governance — promote farmer producer organisations to be agri SMEs/ MSMEs.
4. Four, policy for farming — focus on improving human and farm productivity.
5. Five, Skilling — agricultural technical training institutes .

To ensure success of this Yojana, it should be a collaboratively driven project with states like jandhan yojana and swachh bharat abhiyan.This has chance to instill enthusiasm in agriculture sector and invite  wide participation.