SHIKHAR MAINS 2022- DAY 35 Model Answer English

Updated : 16th Sep 2022

Q1. “क्षेत्रवाद राष्ट्रीय एकता का विरोध नहीं है, बल्कि दोनों एक रचनात्मक साझेदारी में सह-अस्तित्व में रह सकते हैं। भारत के संदर्भ में इस कथन का समालोचनात्मक विश्लेषण कीजिये। (8 अंक)

"Regionalism is not opposed to national integration; rather both can co-exist in a creative partnership. Critically analyse this statement in the context of India.

Approach-

Define regionalism in introduction.
Discuss the importance of regionalism in the Indian context.
Discuss with examples the dangers arising out of regionalism.
In conclusion, conclude the answer by discussing the measures to reduce the dangers of regionalism.

Answer-

In simple words, regionalism is a feeling born from the separate existence of one's region. Regionalism can be born out of high feeling and low feeling towards one's region. Regionalism can be born due to economic, political and social reasons from high sentiment. Regionalism refers to the prejudice-based negative attitude among the people of a given area of society towards other societies. As a result, communication gaps and social distance flourish. Although regionalism is used in negative contexts, sometimes some thinkers divide it into positive and negative regionalism.

Regionalism exists in India also in positive and negative sense.

Regionalism in a positive sense in India-

Positive regionalism refers to the tendency of the people living in a particular area to promote and preserve their own culture and language.
Sometimes it is also called sub nationalism.
In terms of positive aspects, there is a strong desire to strengthen identities such as ethnic, language, religion etc. For example, the erstwhile Jharkhand Movement, which extended to the remote areas of Bihar, Orissa, West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh, organized itself as a unified group to protect and promote socio-economic and political interests. Ultimately the movement was successful in forcing the government to reorganize the states.

Negative regionalism-

On the other hand, negative regionalism refers to prejudice based social distance and hatred, under which people of a particular area have a feeling of intolerance towards others.

This regionalism can appear due to the following 6 reasons:

Regionalism born out of economic high spirit - Khalistan;
Regionalism born out of low economic sentiment - Telangana, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand;
Regionalism born out of political high spirit - Marathwada, Gorkhaland;
Regionalism born out of political inferiority - Jammu and Kashmir;
Regionalism born out of social high spirit - Anti-Hindi attitude in Tamil Nadu;
Regionalism born out of inferiority complex at the social level - in the northeastern states;

Positive regionalism is beneficial for any society, however, in which there is acceptance of diversity. Negative regionalism always hinders economic social progress.

National identity as well as regional identity should be given sufficient importance to reduce the negative impact of regionalism as a hindrance to national integration. Instead of motivating us to distance ourselves from the regional identity in the name of nationalism and national integration, emphasis should be given on the pan-India culture of regional identity. If the identity of one area gets importance in other areas also, there will be an increase in mutual coordination.

Q2. संस्कृतिकरण और पाश्चात्यीकरण से आप क्या समझते हैं? संस्कृतिकरण व पाश्चात्यीकरण ने समकालीन भारतीय समाज में जाति व्यवस्था को किस प्रकार प्रभावित किया?

What do you understand by Sanskritization and Westernization? Elucidate, how Sanskritization and Westernization impacted the caste system in contemporary Indian society?

Approach-

· Briefly explain the concept of Sanskritization and Westernization as given by M. Srinivas.

· Explain with the help of various arguments and examples, how Sanskritization and westernization has affected the caste system in contemporary Indian society.

· Finally, conclude the answer by writing a conclusion in one or two lines.

Answer

Indian sociologist MN Srinivas introduced the concept of Sanskritization and Westernization. according to him -

“In the process of Sanskritization, a lower or middle Hindu caste or tribe or any other group, changes its customs, customs and lifestyle in the direction of the upper castes (Brahmins, regional etc.). Often with such changes they also become claimants to a higher position in the caste system than the one traditionally accorded to them by the local community.”

In the process of westernization, changes can be seen in education, food, dressing styles, ways of eating, etc., where the inspiration of this change is not the caste system but the culture of the western world. However, this change is often first seen in the upper castes who were adopted by the lower castes through Sanskritization. This change is visible from the beginning of British rule in British India.

Effect of Sanskritization and Westernization on Caste System in Contemporary Indian Society: -

· Sanskritization reduced or removed the gap between the ritual and secular rankings. It also helped upliftment of weaker persons. The lower caste group which successfully got into the seat of secular power also tried to avail of the services of Brahmins especially at the time of observing rituals, worshipping and offering things to God.

· Westernization Modern education had highlighted the evil practices and weaknesses developed into the system like rigidity and harshness of many social customs and practices prevalent at that time for the weaker sections of the society i.e., untouchability and inhuman treatment to women, Sati, Polygamy, child marriage etc. etc. prevalent at that time.

· Sanskritization is a process of upward mobility by a process of imitation while Westernisation is a process of upward mobility by a process of development. Both of these helped lower castes in upward mobility.

· Sanskritization, indicates a process of cultural mobility that is taking place in the traditional social system of India. MN Srinivas in his study in Coorg district of Karnataka found that the lower castes have adopted customs and practices of certain higher castes in order to increase their position in the caste hierarchy.

· The Brahmins and some people gave up things that were considered impure by the upper castes. For example, eating meat, quit drinking alcohol and offering animal sacrifices to gods. They imitated the Brahmins in matters of food, dress and rituals. By this they could claim higher positions in the hierarchy of castes within a generation. Sanskritization has usually occurred in groups that have enjoyed political and economic power.

· Change brought about in the Indian society by westernisation is the new system of education is that schools, unlike the traditional schools, were opened to all types of castes. The traditional schools were confined only to upper caste children and mostly disseminated traditional knowledge.

In this way even today whether it is cinema, food, dress or business, Sanskritization and westernization are affecting the caste system in Indian society at different levels.