PSEB 9th Class Hindi Solutions Chapter 19 प्रकृति का अभिशाप

Punjab State Board PSEB 9th Class Hindi Book Solutions Chapter 19 प्रकृति का अभिशाप Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.

PSEB Solutions for Class 9 Hindi Chapter 19 प्रकृति का अभिशाप

Hindi Guide for Class 9 PSEB प्रकृति का अभिशाप Textbook Questions and Answers

(क) विषय-बोध

1. निम्नलिखित प्रश्नों के उत्तर एक या दो वाक्यों में दीजिए

प्रश्न 1.
सूर्यदेव को किस ग्रह की चिंता थी ?
उत्तर:
सूर्यदेव को पृथ्वी ग्रह की चिंता थी।

प्रश्न 2.
जलदेवी के अनुसार पृथ्वी के वातावरण को कौन विषाक्त बना रहा है ?
उत्तर:
जलदेवी के अनुसार पृथ्वी के वातावरण को प्रदूषण विषाक्त बना रहा है।

प्रश्न 3.
पवनदेव ने ऑक्सीजन कम होने का क्या कारण बताया ?
उत्तर:
कारखानों, इंजनों में आग का प्रयोग होने से ऑक्सीजन कम हो रही है।

PSEB 9th Class Hindi Solutions Chapter 19 प्रकृति का अभिशाप

प्रश्न 4.
वनदेवी ने अपने घटने का क्या कारण बताया ?
उत्तर:
वनदेवी ने अपने घटने का कारण कार्बन-डाइऑक्साइड को बताया।

प्रश्न 5.
गंधकयुक्त औषधियाँ मनुष्य के स्वास्थ्य पर क्या प्रतिकूल प्रभाव डालती हैं ?
उत्तर:
गंधकयुक्त औषधियाँ मनुष्य में आँतों की बीमारियाँ उत्पन्न करती हैं। तपेदिक जैसे रोगों को बढ़ावा देती हैं।

प्रश्न 6.
ओज़ोन परत क्या है ?
उत्तर:
जो परत सूर्य द्वारा विसर्जित पराबैंगनी किरणों के दुष्प्रभाव से पृथ्वी के जीवों की रक्षा करती है उसे ओज़ोन परत कहते हैं।

प्रश्न 7.
ओज़ोन की परत को कौन नष्ट कर रहा है ? पाठ के आधार पर उत्तर दीजिए।
उत्तर:
वायुमंडल में पेट्रोल से चलने वाले जैट जैसे बड़े-बड़े हवाई जहाज ओज़ोन की परत को नष्ट कर रहे हैं।

प्रश्न 8.
प्रदूषण से मुक्ति दिलाने की बात किसने सूर्यदेव से की ?
उत्तर:
प्रदूषण से मुक्ति दिलाने की बात बुद्धिदेवी ने सूर्यदेव से की।

PSEB 9th Class Hindi Solutions Chapter 19 प्रकृति का अभिशाप

2. निम्नलिखित प्रश्नों के उत्तर तीन या चार पंक्तियों में दीजिए

प्रश्न 1.
यदि वायुमंडल न होता तो पृथ्वी का क्या हाल होता ? पाठ के आधार पर उत्तर दीजिए।
उत्तर:
यदि वायुमंडल न होता तो पृथ्वी पर जीवन संभव नहीं होता। पृथ्वी पर प्राणी जीवित नहीं रह पाते। पृथ्वी पर अनेक संकट आ जाते। अतंरिक्ष की उलकाएँ पृथ्वी पर विनाश कर देतीं। पृथ्वी में धरातल भी चंद्रमा के समान बड़ेबड़े गड्ढों में बदल जाता।

प्रश्न 2.
वनदेवी ने हरी पत्तियों को ‘ऑक्सीजन का कारखाना’ क्यों कहा ?
उत्तर:
वनदेवी ने हरी पत्तियों को ऑक्सीजन का कारखाना इसलिए कहा है क्योंकि हरी पत्तियां भोजन और ऑक्सीजन बनाती हैं। इस कारखाने में कभी कोई हड़ताल नहीं होती। ये प्रकाश-संश्लेषण क्रिया से कार्बन-डाइऑक्साइड को कार्बन और ऑक्सीजन में विश्लेषित करती हैं और कार्बन स्वयं शोषित कर ऑक्सीजन को वायु में छोड़ देती

प्रश्न 3.
वनदेवी ने गुस्से में आकर रश्मिदेवी को क्या कहा ?
उत्तर:
वनदेवी ने रश्मिदेवी को गुस्से में आकर कहा कि मानव की आधुनिक प्रगति और औद्योगिक वृद्धि के कारण हरे-भरे जंगल नष्ट हो रहे हैं। विवेकहीन मनुष्य जंगलों को अंधाधुध काट रहा है। इससे वायु को शुद्ध करने की मेरी क्षमता नष्ट हो रही है। प्रदूषण बढ़ रहा है।

प्रश्न 4.
वन किस प्रकार हमारे लिए लाभकारी हैं ?
उत्तर:
वन हमारे लिए बहुत लाभकारी हैं। वनों से हमें शुद्ध ऑक्सीजन मिलती है। वन वर्षा लाने में सहायक हैं। इससे अनेक उपयोगी वनस्पतियाँ और औषधियां मिलती हैं।

प्रश्न 5.
रेडियोधर्मिता क्या है ? मनुष्य पर इसका क्या प्रभाव पड़ता है ?
उत्तर:
परमाणु-परीक्षण के लिए जिन यूरेनियम जैसे तत्वों को प्रयोग करने से हानिकारक प्रभाव वायुमंडल में फैलते हैं उसे रेडियोधर्मिता कहते हैं। मनुष्य पर उसका अत्यधिक बुरा प्रभाव पड़ता है। इससे मानव भयंकर बीमारियों से पीड़ित हो जाता है। उसके कुप्रभाव से अगली पीढ़ी को तो पहचानना भी संभव नहीं रह सकेगा।

प्रश्न 6.
बुद्धिदेवी ने मानव-रक्षा के लिए सूर्यदेव को क्या भरोसा दिलाया ?
उत्तर:
बुद्धिदेवी ने मानव रक्षा के लिए सूर्यदेव को यह भरोसा दिलाया कि वह मानव-कल्याण का कार्य करेगी। वह प्रदूषण दैत्य को जड़ से समाप्त कर देगी जैसे आदि मानव विनाशकारी अग्नि से डर गया था। किंतु उसने इसी अग्नि को अपने अधीन कर लिया। आज अग्नि मानव के लिए बड़ी देन है।

PSEB 9th Class Hindi Solutions Chapter 19 प्रकृति का अभिशाप

3. निम्नलिखित प्रश्नों के उत्तर छः या सात पंक्तियों में दीजिए

प्रश्न 1.
लेखक ने प्रदूषण को महादैत्य कहा है। आप लेखक की बात से कहाँ तक सहमत हैं ? स्पष्ट कीजिए।
उत्तर:
मैं लेखक की बात से पूरी तरह से सहमत हूँ क्योंकि प्रदूषण ने वातावरण को इतना दूषित कर दिया है कि आज प्राणियों का सांस लेना भी कठिन हो रहा है। आज पृथ्वी ग्रह पर जीवन संकटों से भरा है। वायु भी दूषित हो गई है जिससे प्राणी सांस भी नहीं ले रहा। आज प्रदूषण ने सारी पृथ्वी पर कब्जा कर लिया है।

प्रश्न 2.
जल, वायु और ध्वनि-प्रदूषण हमारे लिए बहुत ही घातक हैं-स्पष्ट कीजिए।
उत्तर:
जल, वायु और ध्वनि प्रदूषण हमारे लिए बहुत ही घातक हैं। इनसे अनेक प्रकार की बीमारियां फैलती हैं। जल प्रदूषण से हैजा, पेचिश जैसी बीमारियाँ होती हैं। वायु प्रदूषण से दमा, खांसी तथा सांस के अन्य रोग होते हैं। ध्वनि प्रदूषण से हृदय रोग, फेफड़ों के अनेक रोग फैल रहे हैं।

प्रश्न 3.
निम्नलिखित का आशय स्पष्ट कीजिए-

  • यह दैत्य ऐसा ही है जो दिखाई नहीं देता परंतु धीरे-धीरे पृथ्वी के वातावरण को विषाक्त बना रहा है।

उत्तर:
इस कथन का आशय है कि वर्तमान समय में चारों तरफ प्रदूषण फैलता जा रहा है। यह एक राक्षस की तरह फैला है। यह एक ऐसा राक्षस है जो प्रत्यक्ष रूप से दिखाई नहीं देता परंतु धीरे-धीरे इसके प्रभाव से वातावरण ज़हरीला बना रहा है। प्रदूषण के कारण वातावरण प्रदूषित हो रहा है जो अनेक बीमारियों का कारण है।

  • मैं हूँ मानव का महाकाल, प्रगति का अभिशाप, औद्योगिक प्रगति का विष-वृक्ष, मैं हूँ मानव का अदृश्य शत्रु-प्रदूषण दैत्य। समझे…प्रदूषण दैत्य।

उत्तर:
आज प्रदूषण एक राक्षस के समान चारों तरफ फैला है। वह अत्यंत भयानक एवं खतरनाक है। वह वनदेवी को अपने खतरे को बताते हुए कहता है कि मैं मानव का महाकाल हूँ। अर्थात् मैं मनुष्य को मारने वाला हूँ। मैं प्रगति के रास्ते में बाधक हूँ। मैं औद्योगिक प्रगति को नष्ट करने वाला हूँ। मैं मानव का अदृश्य शत्रु हूँ अर्थात् मैं मानव-जाति के लिए विनाशकारी प्रगति के लिए अभिशाप हूँ। मैं औद्योगिक विकास का विष वृक्ष हूँ। सबको निरंतर नष्ट कर रहा हूँ।

  • आप लोग चिंता न करें, मुझ पर भरोसा रखें। आदि मानव विनाशकारी अग्नि से भयभीत हो गया था। फिर उसने इसी अग्नि को अपने अधीन कर लिया और आज अग्नि मानव के लिए बड़ी देन है। मैं इस प्रदूषण दैत्य को ही जड़ से समाप्त कर दूँगी। संसार में इसका उन्मूलन करना परमावश्यक है।

उत्तर:
बुद्धिदेवी मानव कल्याण के लिए सूर्यदेव को आश्वासन देती है वह कहती है कि मानव कल्याण के लिए आप चिंता न करें। इसके लिए आप मुझ पर भरोसा रखें। जैसे आदि मानव विनाशकारी अग्नि से डर गया था किंतु बाद में उसने अग्नि को अपने अधीन कर लिया इसलिए आज अग्नि मानव के लिए कल्याणकारी है। इसी तरह मैं इस प्रदूषण रूपी राक्षस को जड़ से खत्म कर दूंगी। आज संसार में इसको मिटाना बहुत ज़रूरी है।

PSEB 9th Class Hindi Solutions Chapter 19 प्रकृति का अभिशाप

(ख) भाषा-बोध

1. निम्नलिखित एक-वचन शब्दों के बहुवचन रूप लिखिए :

एकवचन – बहुवचन
पत्ता – ……………….
पुत्री – ……………….
आँत – ……………….
बहरा – ……………….
नज़र – ……………….
गड्ढा – ……………….
पृथ्वी – ……………….
किरण – ……………….
साड़ी – ……………….
परत – ……………….
नीला – ……………….
पत्ती – ……………….
पीला – ……………….
लकड़ी – ……………….
गैस – ……………….
देवी – ……………….
उत्तर:
एकवचन – बहुवचन
पत्ता – पत्ते
पुत्री – पुत्रियाँ
आँत – आँतें
बहरा – बहरे
नज़र – नज़रें
गड्ढा – गड्ढे
पृथ्वी – पृथ्वियाँ
किरण – किरणें
साड़ी – साड़ियाँ
परत – परतें
नीला – नीले
पत्ती – पत्तियाँ
पीला – पीले
लकड़ी – लकड़ियाँ
गैस – गैसें
देवी – देवियाँ

PSEB 9th Class Hindi Solutions Chapter 19 प्रकृति का अभिशाप

2. निम्नलिखित शब्दों में से उपसर्ग तथा मूल शब्द अलग-अलग करके लिखिए

शब्द – उपसर्ग – मूल शब्द
उन्नति – ……………. – …………….
असत्य – ……………. – …………….
प्रगति – ……………. – …………….
प्रत्येक – ……………. – …………….
आगमन – ……………. – …………….
प्रदूषण – ……………. – …………….
अत्यधिक – ……………. – …………….
दुष्प्रभाव – ……………. – …………….
उत्तर:
शब्द – उपसर्ग – मूल शब्द
उन्नति -उत् – नति
असत्य – अ – सत्य
प्रगति -प्र – गति
प्रत्येक – प्रतिएक – दुष्प्रभाव
आगमन – आ – गमन
प्रदूषण – प्र – दूषण
अत्यधिक – अति – अधिक
दुः – प्रभाव

3. निम्नलिखित शब्दों में से प्रत्यय तथा मूल शब्द अलग-अलग करके लिखिएशब्द … मूल शब्द प्रत्यय

शब्द – मूल शब्द – प्रत्यय
प्रसन्नता – ……………. – …………….
उपयोगी – ……………. – …………….
उपहार – ……………. – …………….
तीव्रता – ……………. – …………….
विषैला – ……………. – …………….
ज़हरीला – ……………. – …………….
उत्तर:
शब्द – मूल शब्द – प्रत्यय
प्रसन्नता – प्रसन्न – ता
तीव्रता – तीव्र – ता
उपयोग – उपयोग – ई
विषैला – विष – ऐला
उपहार – उप – हार

PSEB 9th Class Hindi Solutions Chapter 19 प्रकृति का अभिशाप

4. निम्नलिखित मुहावरों के अर्थ समझकर उन्हें वाक्यों में प्रयुक्त कीजिए

मुहावरा – अर्थ – वाक्य
• चारा न रहना – उपाय न होना – ……………….
• गज़ब ढाना – जुल्म करना – ……………….
• नाक में दम करना – तंग करना – ……………….
• घुला घुला कर मारना – धीरे-धीरे कष्ट पहुँचाकर मारना – ……………….
• लोहा लेना – युद्ध करना – ……………….
• तिनके के समान – बहुत कमज़ोर – ……………….
उत्तर:
मुहावरा – अर्थ – वाक्य
• चारा न रहना – उपाय न होना – समय बीत जाने पर हमारे पास कार्य सिद्धि का कोई चारा नहीं रहता।
• गज़ब ढाना – जुल्म करना – अंग्रेजों ने शहीदों पर बहुत गज़ब ढाए।
• नाक में दम करना – तंग करना – शरारती बच्चों ने सबकी नाक में दम कर दिया
• घुला घुला कर मारना – धीरे-धीरे कष्ट पहुँचाकर मारना – डाकुओं ने यात्री को घुला-घुला कर मार डाला।
• लोहा लेना – युद्ध करना – शिवाजी ने विदेशी आक्रमणकारियों से लोहा लिया।
• तिनके के समान – बहुत कमज़ोर – डरपोक लोग विपत्ति काल में तिनके के समान होते हैं।

5. निम्नलिखित तद्भव शब्दों के तत्सम रूप लिखिए

तद्भव – तत्सम
सफेद – ……………….
पीला – ……………….
चाँद – ……………….
सूरज – ……………….
करोड़ – ……………….
समुन्दर – ……………….
उत्तर:
तद्भव – तत्सम
सफेद – शुभ्र
पीला – पीत
चाँद – चंद्र
सूरज – सूर्य
करोड़ – कोटि
समुन्दर – समुद्र

PSEB 9th Class Hindi Solutions Chapter 19 प्रकृति का अभिशाप

6. निम्नलिखित वाक्यों में उचित विराम चिह्न लगाइए

(i) वह है मेरी प्रिय पुत्री पृथ्वी
(ii) कौन रश्मि तुम मेरी बातें सुन रही थीं
(iii) हाँ तुमने ठीक पहचाना
(iv) सिंहासन से उठकर आखिर बात क्या है
(v) मुझे आशीर्वाद दीजिए शक्ति दीजिए कि मैं लोग कल्याण के इस कार्य को करने में सफल होऊँ
उत्तर:
(i) वह है मेरी प्रिय पुत्री-पृथ्वी।
(ii) कौन रश्मि! तुम मेरी बातें सुन रही थीं।
(iii) हाँ! तुमने ठीक पहचाना।
(iv) सिंहासन से उठकर- आखिर बात क्या है?
(v) मुझे आशीर्वाद दीजिए, शक्ति दीजिए कि मैं लोग-कल्याण के इस कार्य को करने में सफल होऊँ।

(ग) रचनात्मक अभिव्यक्ति

प्रश्न 1.
प्रदूषण की रोकथाम के लिए आप क्या सुझाव देंगे ?
उत्तर:
(1) प्रदूषण की रोकथाम के लिए अधिक-से-अधिक पेड़-पौधे लगाने चाहिए।
(2) वनों के कटाव पर रोक लगानी चाहिए।
(3) जंगलों को नष्ट होने से बचाना चाहिए।
(4) अपने आस-पास गंदा पानी जमा नहीं होने देना चाहिए।
(5) व्यर्थ में पानी नहीं बहाना चाहिए।
(6) कूड़ा-कर्कट कूड़ादान में ही डालना चाहिए।

PSEB 9th Class Hindi Solutions Chapter 19 प्रकृति का अभिशाप

प्रश्न 2.
क्या सचमुच बुद्धिदेवी प्रदूषण जैसे महादैत्य से छुटकारा दिला सकती है ? स्पष्ट कीजिए। .
उत्तर:
हाँ, सचमुच बुद्धिदेवी प्रदूषण जैसे महादैत्य से छुटकारा दिला सकती है। यदि मनुष्य अपनी बुद्धि से विचार करें तो वह प्रदूषण को पूर्ण रूप से नष्ट कर सकता है और इस प्रकृति को और अधिक सुंदर बना सकता है। वातावरण को साफ, स्वच्छ एवं सुंदर और मनमोहक बना सकता है।

प्रश्न 3.
आपकी दृष्टि में प्रदूषण को कम करने में सरकारों की क्या भूमिका होनी चाहिए ?
उत्तर-हमारी दृष्टि में प्रदूषण को कम करने में सरकारों की निम्नलिखित महत्त्वपूर्ण भूमिका होनी चाहिए
(1) सरकारों को कारखाने, फेक्ट्रियां शहरों से दूर लगवाने चाहिए।
(2) कारखानों का गंदा पानी नदियों में नहीं डालना चाहिए।
(3) पेड़-पौधे अधिक-से-अधिक लगवाने चाहिए।
(4) जंगलों की कटाई पर पूरी तरह रोक लगा देनी चाहिए।

(घ) पाठेत्तर सक्रियता

प्रश्न 1.
प्रदूषण-उन्मूलन सम्बन्धी प्रभावशाली नारे एक चार्ट पर लिखकर कक्षा की दीवार पर लगाइए।
उत्तर-अध्यापक की सहायता से स्वयं करें।

प्रश्न 2.
तख्तियाँ बनाकर उन पर सुंदर लिखावट के साथ प्रदूषण-उन्मूलन सम्बन्धी प्रभावशाली नारे लिखें और जब भी स्कूल की ओर से प्रदूषण-उन्मूलन-रैली का आयोजन हो तो इन नारों से समाज को प्रदूषण से मुक्ति के लिए जाग्रत करें।
उत्तर-
(1) प्रदूषण मिटाओ, देश बचाओ।
(2) प्रदूषण भगाओ स्वास्थ्य बचाओ।
(3) पेड़-पौधे लगाओ, प्रदूषण मिटाओ।

प्रश्न 3.
इस एकांकी को स्कूल में उचित अवसर पर मंचित करें।
उत्तर:
अध्यापक/अध्यापिका की सहायता से करें।

प्रश्न 4.
अपने जन्मदिन के अवसर पर एक गमले में बढ़िया-सा पौधा लगाकर उसे स्कूल को भेंट करें।
उत्तर:
छात्र स्वयं करें।

PSEB 9th Class Hindi Solutions Chapter 19 प्रकृति का अभिशाप

प्रश्न 5.
अखबारों, मैगज़ीनों, इंटरनेट आदि से प्रदूषण के भयंकर परिणामों से सम्बन्धित चित्र इकट्ठे करके उनका कोलाज़ बनाइए।
उत्तर:
अध्यापक/अध्यापिका की सहायता से करें।

प्रश्न 6.
वैज्ञानिक प्रगति ही प्रदूषण का मुख्य कारण हैइस विषय पर स्कूल में वाद-विवाद आयोजित कीजिए। (नोट : कक्षा में सभी विद्यार्थियों को इस विषय के पक्ष या विपक्ष में बोलने के लिए 2 मिनट का समय दिया जाए)
उत्तर:
अध्यापक की सहायता से करें।

प्रश्न 7.
अपने विज्ञान-अध्यापक की मदद से विज्ञान-प्रयोगशाला में जाकर प्रकाश-संश्लेषण की क्रिया को समझें।
उत्तरं:
अध्यापक की सहायता से करें।

प्रश्न 8.
पृथ्वी के पर्यावरण को बचाने हेतु पॉलिथीन का प्रयोग बंद करें, कागज़ का प्रयोग कम करें और रिसाइकल प्रक्रिया को बढ़ावा दें क्योंकि जितनी अधिक खराब सामग्री रिसाइकिल होगी, उतना ही पृथ्वी का कूड़ा कचरा भी कम होगा।
उत्तर:
स्वयं समझें एवं करें।

प्रश्न 9.
स्कूल में आयोजित होने वाले विश्व पृथ्वी दिवस (22 अप्रैल) तथा विश्व पर्यावरण दिवस (5 जून) में सक्रिय रूप से भाग लें और पर्यावरण स्वच्छता व सुरक्षा सम्बन्धी ज्ञान प्राप्त करें।
उत्तर:
स्वयं करें।

प्रश्न 10.
यदि आप देखें कि किसी फैक्टरी/कारखाने द्वारा किसी भी तरह का प्रदूषण फैलाया जा रहा है तो अपने बड़ों/अध्यापकों आदि की मदद से प्रदूषण फैलाने वालों के खिलाफ सम्बन्धित विभाग में शिकायत करें।
उत्तर:
अध्यापक की सहायता से स्वयं कीजिए।

प्रश्न 11.
विश्व जल दिवस, विश्व पृथ्वी दिवस, विश्व पर्यावरण दिवस, विश्व ओज़ोन दिवस आदि अवसरों पर लेख, नाटक, कविता, निबन्ध नारे लेखन, भाषण आदि प्रतियोगिताओं में भाग लें।
उत्तर:
अध्यापक की सहायता से स्वयं कीजिए।

PSEB 9th Class Hindi Solutions Chapter 19 प्रकृति का अभिशाप

(ङ ) ज्ञान-विस्तार

1. खर : रावण का सौतेला भाई जिसे भगवान् राम ने मार गिराया था।

2. दूषण : रावण की सेना का नायक जिसे भगवान् राम ने मार गिराया था।

3. त्रेता : हिन्दू मान्यतानुसार चार युगों (सतयुग, त्रेतायुग, द्वापरयुग तथा कलियुग) में से दूसरा युग।

4. प्रकाश-संश्लेषण : सजीव कोशिकाओं के द्वारा प्रकाशीय ऊर्जा को रासायनिक ऊर्जा में बदलने की क्रिया को प्रकाश-संश्लेषण कहते हैं। प्रकाश-संश्लेषण वह क्रिया है जिसमें पौधे अपने हरे रंग वाले अंगों जैसे पत्तियों द्वारा सूर्य के प्रकाश की मौजूदगी में हवा से कार्बन डाइऑक्साइड तथा पृथ्वी से जल लेकर जटिल कार्बनिक खाद्य पदार्थों जैसे कार्बोहाइड्रेट्स का निर्माण करते हैं तथा ऑक्सीजन गैस बाहर निकालते हैं।

5. कार्बनडाइऑक्साइड : यह एक रासायनिक यौगिक है जिसका निर्माण ऑक्सीजन के दो परमाणु तथा कार्बन के एक परमाणु से मिलकर हुआ है। पृथ्वी के सभी जीव अपनी श्वसन क्रिया में कार्बन डाइऑक्साइड को छोड़ते हैं।

6. ऑक्सीजन : यह रंगहीन, स्वादहीन तथा गंधरहित गैस है। जीवित प्राणियों के लिए यह गैस अति आवश्यक है। इसे वे श्वसन द्वारा ग्रहण करते हैं।

7. सीसा : सीसा एक धातु एवं तत्व है। आयुर्वेद में इसका भस्म कई रोगों में दिया जाता है। इसके अतिरिक्त इसका प्रयोग इमारतें बनाने, बंदूक की गोलियाँ तथा वज़न आदि बनाने में भी होता है। यह भी जानें कि पेट्रोल और पेंट (रंग) को सक्षम बनाने के लिए जब सीसा का ज़रूरत से ज्यादा प्रयोग होता है तो इसका स्वास्थ्य पर बुरा असर पड़ता है।

8. रेडियोधर्मिता : किसी पदार्थ के परमाणु में से अपने आप विकिरणों के कणों का निकलना रेडियोधर्मिता कहलाता है। रेडियम, यूरेनियम तथा थोरियम रेडियोधर्मी पदार्थ हैं। विकिरणों से त्वचा का कैंसर और अन्य रोगाणुजनक रोग हो सकते हैं।

9. ओज़ोन परत : पृथ्वी की सतह से 30 किलोमीटर की ऊँचाई पर ओज़ोन की परत है। यह ऊँचाई के साथ-साथ मोटी होती जाती है। यह समतल मंडल में 50 किलोमीटर की ऊँचाई पर सबसे अधिक मोटी है। यह परत पराबैंगनी किरणों को वायुमंडल में प्रवेश करने से रोकने के लिए फिल्टर के रूप में कार्य करती है। इसके न होने अथवा नष्ट होने से हानिकारक पराबैंगनी किरणों दवारा लोगों में त्वचा के कैंसर का खतरा बढ़ जायेगा।

10. महत्वपूर्ण दिवस विश्व जल दिवस : 22 मार्च विश्व स्वास्थ्य दिवस : 07 अप्रैल विश्व पृथ्वी दिवस : 22 अप्रैल विश्व पर्यावरण दिवस : 05 जून . विश्व ओज़ोन दिवस : 16 सितम्बर विश्व प्रकृति दिवस : 03 अक्टूबर

PSEB 9th Class Hindi Solutions Chapter 19 प्रकृति का अभिशाप

PSEB 9th Class Hindi Guide प्रकृति का अभिशाप Important Questions and Answers

1. निम्नलिखित प्रश्नों के उत्तर एक या दो पंक्तियों में दीजिए

प्रश्न 1.
सूर्यदेव की वेषभूषा कैसी है ?
उत्तर:
सूर्यदेव चमकदार पीले वस्त्र तथा चमचमाता सुनहरा मुकुट पहने हुए हैं।

प्रश्न 2.
रश्मिदेवी की वेशभूषा कैसी है ?
उत्तर:
रश्मिदेवी चमकदार पीला लहँगा और वैसी ही चुन्नी ओढ़े हैं।

प्रश्न 3.
वनदेवी की वेशभूषा कैसी है ?
उत्तर:
वनदेवी फूल और पत्तों से चित्रित हरी साड़ी पहने हैं। सिर पर पत्तों का मुकुट है।

प्रश्न 4.
जलदेवी की वेशभूषा कैसी है ?
उत्तर:
जलदेवी मछलियों आदि जलीय जंतुओं से चित्रित नीली साड़ी तथा नीले रंग के मुकुट पहने है।

प्रश्न 5.
बुद्धि देवी की वेशभूषा कैसी है ?
उत्तर:
बुद्धि देवी रूपहली किनारी लगी हुई सफेद साड़ी तथा रूपहला झिलमिलाता मुकुट पहने हुए हैं।

प्रश्न 6.
पृथ्वी किसकी पुत्री है ?
उत्तर:
पृथ्वी सूर्य की पुत्री है।

PSEB 9th Class Hindi Solutions Chapter 19 प्रकृति का अभिशाप

प्रश्न 7.
सौरजगत विशाल कुटुंब में कौन-कौन हैं ?
उत्तर:
सौरजगत के विशाल कुटुंब में नौ ग्रह हैं। पृथ्वी इनमें से एक है।

प्रश्न 8.
पृथ्वी पर अनोखा कौन हैं ? कैसे ?
उत्तर:
पृथ्वी पर अनोखा मानव है। वह अपने मस्तिष्क के बल पर अनोखा है।

प्रश्न 9.
सौरजगत के अधिपति कौन हैं ?
उत्तर:
सौरजगत के अधिपति सूर्य हैं।

2. निम्नलिखित प्रश्नों के उत्तर तीन या चार पंक्तियों में दीजिए

प्रश्न 1.
पृथ्वी के वातावरण का मुख्य घटक कौन है ? स्पष्ट करें।
उत्तर:
पृथ्वी के वातावरण का मुख्य घटक पवन है। इसने वायुमंडल के रूप में पृथ्वी को ढका हुआ है।

प्रश्न 2.
वायुमंडल के पृथ्वी के लिए क्या लाभ हैं ?
उत्तर:
वायुमंडल के पृथ्वी के लिए अनेक लाभ हैं
(1) वायुमंडल के कारण पृथ्वी के प्राणी जीवित रह पाते हैं।
(2) वायुमंडल अनेक प्रकार के संकटों से पृथ्वी की रक्षा करता है।

PSEB 9th Class Hindi Solutions Chapter 19 प्रकृति का अभिशाप

3. निम्नलिखित प्रश्नों के उत्तर छः या सात पंक्तियों में दीजिए

प्रश्न 1.
वायुमंडल पृथ्वी की सुरक्षा कैसे करता है ?
उत्तर:
अंतरिक्ष में अनेक उल्काएँ प्रत्येक क्षण पृथ्वी की ओर आकृष्ट होती हैं, किंतु वे वायुमंडल के घर्षण के कारण मार्ग में ही नष्ट हो जाती हैं। यदि वायुमंडल न होता तो उल्काएं पृथ्वी पर विनाश कर देतीं। पृथ्वी का धरातल भी चंद्रमा के समान बड़े-बड़े गड्ढों से युक्त होता है।

प्रश्न 2.
आक्सीजन प्रदान करने में हरी पत्तियों का क्या योगदान है ?
उत्तर:
सूर्य के प्रकाश की सहायता से हरी पत्तियाँ कार्बनडाइऑक्साइड को प्रकाश-संश्लेषण की क्रिया से कार्बन और आक्सीजन में विश्लेषित करती हैं। हरी पत्तियां कार्बन का पोषण कर लेती हैं और ऑक्सीजन को पुन: वायु में छोड़ देती हैं। इस प्रकार आक्सीजन प्रदान करने में हरी पत्तियों का महान् योगदान है।

प्रश्न 3.
एक नागरिक होने के नाते हम प्रदूषण को किस प्रकार दूर कर सकते हैं ?
उत्तर:
(1) हमें नागरिक होने के नाते अधिक-से-अधिक पेड़-पौधे लगाने चाहिए।
(2) कूड़े-कर्कट को कूड़ेदान में ही डालना चाहिए।
(3) वनों, पेड़-पौधों को काटने नहीं देना चाहिए।
(4) व्यर्थ में ही पानी नहीं बहाना चाहिए।
(5) लाऊड स्पीकरों का प्रयोग नहीं करना चाहिए।
(6) कूड़ा-कर्कट एवं गंदा पानी नदी-नालों एवं तालाबों में नहीं डालना चाहिए।

प्रश्न 4.
पर्यावरण से क्या अभिप्राय है ?
उत्तर:
पर्यावरण शब्द परि+आवरण के योग से बना है। परि का अर्थ है-चारों ओर तथा आवरण का अर्थ है ढकने वाला अर्थात् जो हमें चारों ओर फैलकर ढके हुए हैं। जो हमारी चारों तरफ से सुरक्षा कर रहा है। उसे पर्यावरण कहते हैं। पृथ्वी, जल, वायु, अग्नि, आकाश इन पाँचों के बिना जीवन की कल्पना भी नहीं की जा सकती।

एक शब्द/एक पंक्ति में उत्तर दीजिए

प्रश्न 1.
‘प्रकृति का अभिशाप’ एकांकी के लेखक कौन हैं ?
उत्तर:
श्रीपाद विष्णु कानाडे।

प्रश्न 2.
‘प्रकृति का अभिशाप’ एकांकी किसका संदेश देता है ?
उत्तर:
पर्यावरण संरक्षण का।

PSEB 9th Class Hindi Solutions Chapter 19 प्रकृति का अभिशाप

प्रश्न 3.
जलदेवी की वेशभूषा कैसी है ?
उत्तर:
जलीय जंतुओं से चित्रित नीली साड़ी तथा नीले रंग का मुकुट।

प्रश्न 4.
सूर्यदेव को किस ग्रह की अधिक चिंता है ?
उत्तर:
पृथ्वी की।

प्रश्न 5.
मानव सबसे अनोखा जीव अपनी किस वस्तु के कारण है ?
उत्तर:
मस्तिष्क के।

हाँ-नहीं में उत्तर दीजिए

प्रश्न 6.
‘मानव ने अपने मस्तिष्क के सहारे उन्नति की है’-यह कथन रश्मि देवी का है।
उत्तर:
हाँ।

प्रश्न 7.
‘अब कार्बनडाइऑक्साइड बढ़ती जा रही है’-पवन देव ने कहा।
उत्तर:
नहीं।

सही-गलत में उत्तर दीजिए-

प्रश्न 8.
‘मानव की आधुनिक प्रगति और औद्योगिक वृद्धि के हरे-भरे जंगल नष्ट हो रहे हैं’-वनदेवी ने कहा।
उत्तर:
सही।

प्रश्न 9.
प्राणदायिनी ऑक्सीजन को कार्बन स्वयं रखकर पवन देव भेजता है।
उत्तर:
गलत।

PSEB 9th Class Hindi Solutions Chapter 19 प्रकृति का अभिशाप

रिक्त स्थानों की पूर्ति करें

प्रश्न 10.
दैत्य ……. तो मुझे ………. कर ही रहा है।
उत्तर:
दैत्य प्रदूषण तो मुझे परेशान कर ही रहा है।

प्रश्न 11.
ये कण …. से मिलकर जल और …….. को भी …….. करते हैं।
उत्तर:
ये कण कीटाणुओं से मिलकर जल और वनस्पतियों को भी दूषित करते हैं।

बहुविकल्पी प्रश्नों में से सही विकल्प चुनकर उत्तर लिखें

प्रश्न 12.
चमचमाता सुनहरा मुकुट कौन पहने हुए हैं ?
(क) सूर्यदेव
(ख) रश्मिदेवी
(ग) वनदेवी
(घ) पवन देव।
उत्तर:
(क) सूर्य देव।

प्रश्न 13.
पीला लहँगा और वैसी ही चुन्नी कौन ओढ़े हैं ?
(क) बुद्धि देवी
(ख) जल देवी
(ग) वनदेवी
(घ) रश्मि देवी।
उत्तर:
(घ) रश्मि देवी।

प्रश्न 14.
एकांकी में प्रदूषण दैत्य कहाँ है ?
(क) जल में
(ख) वन में
(ग) नेपथ्य में
(घ) नभ में।
उत्तर:
(ग) नेपथ्य में।

प्रश्न 15.
गंधकयुक्त औषधियां कैसे रोगों को बढ़ावा देती हैं ?
(क) तपेदिक
(ख) कैंसर
(ग) हृदय
(घ) नेत्र।
उत्तर:
(क) तपेदिक।

PSEB 9th Class Hindi Solutions Chapter 19 प्रकृति का अभिशाप

कठिन शब्दों के अर्थ

पार्श्वभूमि = आस-पास की ज़मीन। क्षुब्ध = क्रोध मिश्रित दु:ख। अनायास = अचानक। महादैत्य = महाराक्षस। औद्योगिक = उद्योग सम्बन्धी। कुटुंब = परिवार। अंतरिक्ष = आकाश। धरातल = पृथ्वी की सतह। विसर्जित = छोड़ना। यथोचित = जैसा चाहिए वैसा, समुचित। अथाह = गहरा। आत्मघात = अपनी हत्या। विश्लेषित = अलगअलग किया हुआ। अपार = अत्यधिक, जिसका पार न पाया जा सके। तीव्र = तेज। चंगुल = पकड़, अधिकार। निःसंदेह = बेशक, बिना शक के। बला = मुसीबत। विकृति = विकार, खराबी (विकार के बाद प्राप्त रूप)। भ्रमण = घूमना। नेपथ्य = परदे के पीछे। सौरमंडल = सूर्य और उसके ग्रहों का समूह । खर-दूषण = त्रेतायुग के दो राक्षस। अट्टालिका = महल, इमारत। रश्मि = किरण। मस्तिष्क = दिमाग। समक्ष = सामने। विषाक्त = ज़हरीला। अधिपति = स्वामी, मालिक। कोटि-कोटि = करोड़ों। खिन्न = दु:खी, उदास। प्रादुर्भाव = प्रकट होना, उत्पत्ति। आच्छादित = ढका हुआ। गर्त = गड्ढा। उल्काएँ = लौह मिश्रित पत्थर के टुकड़े जो अंतरिक्ष से पृथ्वी के वायुमंडल में प्रवेश करते हैं। अस्तित्व = हस्ती, सत्ता, विद्यमान होना। ह्रास = कमी, गिरावट। जलीय = जल संबंधी। अनोखा = अनूठा। प्रत्यक्षतः = प्रत्यक्ष रूप से। वायुमंडल = वातावरण। खिन्न = उदास। अनादिकाल = आरम्भ से ही। बलबूते = ताक़त, ज़ोर। उन्मूलन = उखाड़ फेंकना, जड़ से ख़त्म कर देना।

प्रकृति का अभिशाप Summary

प्रकृति का अभिशाप जीवन-परिचय

श्रीपाद विष्णु कानाडे एकांकी-साहित्य के श्रेष्ठ लेखक माने जाते हैं। उनका साहित्य का विकास करने में महत्त्वपूर्ण स्थान है। ये एक आधुनिक साहित्यकार हैं। एकांकी साहित्य के क्षेत्र में इनकी विशेष पहचान है।
‘प्रकृति का अभिशाप’ इनकी अत्यंत प्रभावशाली एवं लोकप्रिय एकांकी है। इसके साथ-साथ इन्होंने अनूठा साहित्य रचा है। कानाडे का एकांकी-साहित्य में विशेष स्थान है। इनकी एकांकियों में एकांकी के प्रमुख तत्वों कथानक, पात्र तथा चरित्र-चित्रण, संकलनत्रय वातावरण, संवाद, उद्देश्य एवं अभिनेयशीलता का सफल निर्वाह हुआ है।
प्रस्तुत पाठ में लेखक ने सूर्यदेव, वनदेवी, जलदेवी, रश्मिदेवी, पवनदेवी, बुद्धिदेवी एवं प्रदूषण पात्रों के द्वारा मानव को वातावरण के प्रति जागृत रहने की प्रेरणा दी है। मानव को प्राकृतिक साधनों के प्रयोग में सावधानी रखने का संदेश दिया है अन्यथा इसके घातक परिणामों से मनुष्य का विनाश निश्चित है।

PSEB 9th Class Hindi Solutions Chapter 19 प्रकृति का अभिशाप

प्रकृति का अभिशाप एकांकी का सार

‘प्रकृति का अभिशाप’ नामक एकांकी श्रीपाद विष्णु कानाडे द्वारा लिखित है। इसमें लेखक ने प्रकृति के अभिशाप का वर्णन किया है। इसमें लेखक ने सूर्यदेव, रश्मिदेवी, वनदेवी, जलदेवी, पवनदेवी, बुद्धिदेवी तथा प्रदूषण (दैत्य) पात्रों के माध्यम से मानव को सावधान किया है कि यदि मनुष्य प्राकृतिक साधनों के प्रयोग में सावधानी नहीं रखेगा तो इसके घातक परिणामों से मनुष्य का विनाश भी निश्चित है। मंच पर एक विशाल सुनहरे सिंहासन पर सूर्यदेव विराजमान हैं। रश्मिदेवी सिंहासन के पीछे खड़ी है। सूर्यदेव चिंतित मुद्रा सौर जगत् के विशाल कुटुंब में पृथ्वी ग्रह के प्रति चिंता करता है। वह कहता है कि उसने अपनी पुत्री पृथ्वी को अधिक योग्य बनाना है। इसकी गोद में अनेक जीव-जंतु पेड़-पौधे पनप सकते हैं। इतना ही नहीं मानव भी पृथ्वी पर ही रहता है। यह अपने मस्तिष्क के बल पर पृथ्वी का स्वामी और अनोखा है। रश्मिदेवी सूर्य को कोई चिंता न करने का आग्रह करती है। उसे सौर-जगत् में पृथ्वी एक नंदनवन जैसी लगती है। वह सूर्य को बताती है वह पृथ्वी का भ्रमण करके आई है। उसका हाल अच्छा है। मानव ने बहुत प्रगति कर ली है। उसने बड़े-बड़े नगर बसा लिए हैं। वह उन्नति के शिखर पर पहुँच गया है। तभी पवनदेव का प्रवेश हुआ। उसने बताया कि पृथ्वी पर मानव ने उन्नति नहीं की है, बल्कि वह तो पतन के गड्ढे में गिरने वाला है। जलदेवी आकर कहती है कि ऐसी उन्नति का कोई लाभ नहीं है जिससे उसे अशुद्ध जल पीकर बीमारियों का शिकार होना पड़ रहा है। वनदेवी प्रवेश करती है। वह बताती है कि असाधारण प्रगति के कारण मानव के समक्ष विषैला भोजन खाकर आत्मघात करने के अलावा कोई चारा नहीं रहेगा। सूर्यदेव सबके चेहरे को देखता है।

पवनदेव उनसे हाथ जोड़ कर क्षमा मांगते हैं। पवनदेव उनको नमन करता है। उसके बाद जलदेवी, वनदेवी सभी उनको प्रणाम करते हैं। सूर्य उनसे अचानक आने का कारण पूछते हैं। पवनदेव, जलदेवी, आदि सभी सूर्यदेव को बताते हैं कि पृथ्वी संकट में हैं। वनदेवी ने बताया कि प्रदूषण रूपी महादैत्य हम लोगों के पीछे लगा हुआ है। सूर्यदेव सभी से इस दैत्य के बारे में पूछता है। पवनदेव उन्हें बताते हैं कि यह ऐसा दैत्य है जो दिखाई नहीं देता परंतु धीरे-धीरे पृथ्वी के वातावरण को ज़हरीला बना रहा है। वनदेवी ने बताया कि इस राक्षस का जन्म औद्योगिक क्रांति से हुआ है। पवनदेव ने बताया कि उसने वायुमंडल के रूप में पृथ्वी को ढका हुआ है। सूर्यदेव कहता है वायुमंडल के कारण ही पृथ्वी के प्राणी जीवित रह पाते हैं। वायुमंडल ही पृथ्वी को अंतरिक्ष की उल्काओं से बचाता है। अन्यथा पृथ्वी भी नष्ट हो जाती। सूर्यदेव कहता है कि शुद्ध वायु देने के लिए ही उसने पृथ्वी को वायु के अथाह समुद्र में डुबो दिया है। इस सागर का – भाग ऑक्सीजन है। मानव इसका प्रत्यक्ष उपयोग करता है। पवनदेव कहता है पृथ्वी पर प्रत्येक जीव ऑक्सीजन का उपयोग करता है और कार्बन-डाइऑक्साइड छोड़ता है। किंतु कारखानों, इंजनों से कार्बन-डाइऑक्साइड अधिक उत्पन्न हो रही है। सूर्यदेव बताता है कि उसने कार्बन-डाइऑक्साइड से पुनः ऑक्सीजन प्राप्त करने के लिए ही वनस्पति पृथ्वी को प्रदान की है। वनदेवी कहती है कि सूर्य में तेज़ प्रकाश से ही उसकी हरी पत्तियां कार्बन-डाइऑक्साइड को प्रकाश संश्लेषण प्रक्रिया से कार्बन तथा ऑक्सीजन में विश्लेषित करती है। मैं स्वयं के पोषण के लिए कार्बन रखकर ऑक्सीजन को पुनः वायु में छोड़ देती हूँ। किंतु आज कार्बन-डाइऑक्साइड बढ़ती जा रही है। मानव की तरक्की तथा उद्योगों के कारण हरे-भरे जंगल नष्ट हो रहे हैं। विवेकहीन मनुष्य जंगल काट रहा है। शहरीकरण के लिए जंगल काटे जा रहे हैं। इसका मानव जीवन पर बुरा प्रभाव पड़ता है। सूर्यदेव वनदेवी से उन नुकसानों के बारे में पूछते हैं। वनदेवी उन्हें बताती है कि वनों की कमी से वर्षा नहीं होती। जिससे वनस्पतियाँ नहीं उगती। वनस्पतियों के अभाव में वायु शद्ध नहीं रहती। पवनदेव अपने अशुद्ध होने का नमूना औद्योगिक प्रगति बताते हैं। रश्मिदेवी प्रगति को प्रदूषण का कारण सुनकर चकित होती है। पवनदेव उन्हें बताता है कि उद्योगों के कारण अनेक गैसें आती हैं, जिनका जीवन पर बुरा प्रभाव पड़ता है।

गंधकयुक्त औषधियों से आंतों की बीमारियां बढ़ती हैं। तपेदिक जैसे रोग बढ़ते हैं। वनों का भी विकास रुक जाता है। पवनदेव अपने दूषित होने के कारण बताते हैं कि कारखानों से असंख्य सूक्ष्मकण उसे दूषित करते हैं। पेट्रोल को सक्षम बनाने के लिए प्रयुक्त सीसा वायु को विषैला बना देता है। किंतु प्रदूषण रूपी राक्षस के हाथ अभी गाँवों तक नहीं पहुँचे हैं, इसलिए लोगों को गांवों में रहना अच्छा लगता है। सीसा मिश्रित पेट्रोल के कारण ओजोन परत पर दुष्प्रभाव पड़ रहा है। जो सूर्य से निकलने वाली पराबैंगनी किरणों के बुरे प्रभाव से पृथ्वी के जीवों की रक्षा करती है। पेट्रोल से चलने वाले जैट जैसे बड़े हवाई जहाज़ इस परत को नष्ट कर रहे हैं।

PSEB 9th Class Hindi Solutions Chapter 19 प्रकृति का अभिशाप

वनदेवी आँसू पोंछते हुए सूर्यदेव को बताती है कि प्रदूषण उसे भी परेशान कर रहा है। साथ ही कीटनाशक रसायन भी उसे हानि पहुँचा रहे हैं। जलदेवी कहती है कि ये कीटनाशक रसायन वर्षा के जल में घुलकर नदी तालाबों को दूषित करते हैं। इससे जलीय वनस्पतियों तथा जीवों को बहुत नुकसान होता है। कारखानों का दूषित तेल और विषैले पदार्थ भी नदियों में बहाने पर उसे हानि पहुँचा रहे हैं।
सबकी बातें सुनकर सूर्यदेव चिंतित होकर कहते हैं कि यह सब बहुत घातक है। इससे सभी को अपने अस्तित्व का खतरा होने लगता है। इसलिए रश्मिदेवी सूर्य को पृथ्वी पर न जाने को कहती है किंतु सूर्य उसे ऐसा न करने को कहते हैं। तभी दैत्य प्रदूषण डरावनी हंसी से कहता है कि वह बहुत खुश है कि उसने वायु, जल तथा वनस्पति की नाक में दम कर दिया है। सूर्य उसके बारे में पूछता है तो प्रदूषण बताता है कि वह अदृश्य होकर ही सबको सताता है। वह मनुष्य के विनाश का कारण बनने वाला है। वही मानव का महाकाल है। औद्योगिक प्रगति का विष वृक्ष है। रश्मिदेवी को अपनी चिंता होने लगती है। किंतु प्रदूषण उसे कहता है कि वह उसे हानि नहीं पहुंचाएगा। वह तो केवल पृथ्वी पर रहने वाले जीवों का ही विनाश करना चाहता है। इसके बाद सभी सूर्यदेव से प्रदूषण से अपनी-अपनी रक्षा करने के लिए कहने लगे।

तभी पर्दे पर मधुर संगीत के साथ बुद्धिदेवी का प्रवेश होता है। वह सूर्यदेव को कहती है कि इस दैत्य से पृथ्वी को बचाने के लिए उन्हें कष्ट करने की ज़रूरत नहीं है। वह पृथ्वीवासियों के जीवन को सुखी बनाने वाली जल, वायु और वनस्पति देवियों की रक्षा करेगी। वह सभी की रक्षा का आश्वासन देती है। बुद्धिदेवी प्रदूषण को मानव द्वारा विनाश होने की बात कहती है। तभी दैत्य प्रदूषण बताता है कि उसके अनेक सहायक हैं। रेडियोधर्मिता उसका नया सहायक है। रश्मिदेवी के पूछने पर वनदेवी बताती है कि रेडियोधर्मिता यूरेनियम जैसे तत्वों के परमाणु परीक्षण द्वारा पैदा होती है। दैत्य प्रदूषण इसकी हानियाँ बताता है कि रेडियोधर्मिता से मानव स्वयं घुट-घुटकर मरेगा। उसकी अगली पीढ़ी को वह पहचान भी नहीं पाएगा। उसका दूसरा साथी ध्वनि प्रदूषण है। जो बड़े-बड़े शहरों में बड़े-बड़े जहाज़ों, वाहनों, लाऊडस्पीकरों आदि से उत्पन्न होती है। जो थोड़े ही दिन में लाखों को बहरा बना देगी। वह बुद्धि को चुनौती देते हैं। बुद्धि उसकी चुनौती स्वीकार करती है और सूर्य देव, पवन देव आदि सभी को मानव कल्याण एवं पृथ्वी की सुरक्षा करने का आश्वासन देती है कि वह इस प्रदूषण को जड़ से ही समाप्त कर देगी। संसार से इसका उन्मूलन करना परम आवश्यक है। सूर्य देव भी लोक-कल्याण के कार्य में सफल होने का आशीर्वाद देते हैं। सभी खुश हो जाते हैं और पर्दा गिर जाता है।

PSEB 9th Class Hindi Solutions Chapter 18 शिवाजी का सच्चा स्वरूप

Punjab State Board PSEB 9th Class Hindi Book Solutions Chapter 18 शिवाजी का सच्चा स्वरूप Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.

PSEB Solutions for Class 9 Hindi Chapter 18 शिवाजी का सच्चा स्वरूप

Hindi Guide for Class 9 PSEB शिवाजी का सच्चा स्वरूप Textbook Questions and Answers

(क) विषय-बोध

1. निम्नलिखित प्रश्नों के उत्तर एक या दो पंक्तियों में दीजिए

प्रश्न 1.
शिवाजी कौन थे ?
उत्तर:
शिवाजी एक प्रसिद्ध मराठा वीर थे।

प्रश्न 2.
मोरोपंत कौन था ?
उत्तर:
मोरोपंत एक पेशवा थे।

प्रश्न 3.
आवाजी सोनदेव कौन था ?
उत्तर:
आवाजी सोनदेव शिवाजी का एक सेनापति था।

प्रश्न 4.
शिवाजी के सच्चा स्वरूप को दर्शाती इस पाठ की घटना किस समय की है ?
उत्तर:
इस पाठ की घटना सन् 1648 ई० की संध्या की है।

PSEB 9th Class Hindi Solutions Chapter 18 शिवाजी का सच्चा स्वरूप

प्रश्न 5.
मोरोपंत शिवाजी को आकर क्या शुभ समाचार देता है ?
उत्तर:
मोरोपंत शिवाजी को आकर यह शुभ समाचार देता है कि सेनापति आवाजी सोनदेव ने कल्याण प्रांत को जीत कर वहां का सारा खज़ाना लूटकर आ गए हैं।

प्रश्न 6.
आवाजी सोनदेव ने शिवाजी को सबसे बड़े तोहफे के बारे में क्या बताया ?
उत्तर:
आवाजी सोनदेव ने शिवाजी को बताया कि सबसे बड़े तोहफे के रूप में वह कल्याण सूबेदार अहमद की पुत्र-वधू को बंद करके लाया है।

प्रश्न 7.
शिवाजी की प्रसन्नता एकाएक लुप्त क्यों हो गयी थी ?
उत्तर:
अहमद की पुत्र-वधू को सेनापति लेकर आया है, यह सुनकर शिवाजी की प्रसन्नता लुप्त हो गई। उन्हें अपने सेनापति के कार्य पर लज्जा आई थी।

प्रश्न 8.
शिवाजी ने सूबेदार की पुत्र-वधू की सुरक्षा करते हुए उसे क्या आश्वासन दिया ?
उत्तर:
शिवाजी ने उसे आश्वासन दिया कि उसे आराम, इज्जत, हिफ़ाजत और खबरदारी के साथ उसके शौहर के पास बिना देरी के पहुँचा दिया जाएगा।

प्रश्न 9.
शिवाजी पर-स्त्री को किसके समान मानते थे ?
उत्तर:
शिवाजी पर-स्त्री को माता के समान मानते थे।

प्रश्न 10.
शिवाजी ने अंत में क्या घोषणा की ?
उत्तर:
शिवाजी ने अंत में घोषणा की कि यदि कोई भविष्य में ऐसा काम करेगा तो उसका सिर धड़ से अलग कर दिया जाएगा।

PSEB 9th Class Hindi Solutions Chapter 18 शिवाजी का सच्चा स्वरूप

2. निम्नलिखित प्रश्नों के उत्तर तीन या चार पंक्तियों में दीजिए

प्रश्न 1.
शिवाजी ने अपने सेनापति की ग़लती पर सूबेदार की पुत्र-वधू से किस प्रकार माफी मांगी ?
उत्तर:
शिवाजी ने कहा कि माँ, शिवा अपने सेनापति की इस हरकत पर आपसे माफी मांगता है। आप एक माँ के समान पूजनीय हैं। यदि मेरी माँ आप जैसी सुंदर होती तो मैं भी सुंदर होता। मैं आपकी सुंदरता का हिंदू विधि से पूजन करना चाहता हूँ।

प्रश्न 2.
शिवाजी ने अपने सेनापति को किस प्रकार डाँट फटकार लगायी ?
उत्तर:
शिवाजी ने सेनापति को फटकारते हुए कहा कि उसने ऐसा घृणित काम किया है जो शायद क्षमा नहीं किया जा सकता। तुम शिवा को नजदीक से जानते थे फिर भी ऐसा दुस्साहस किया। शिवा ने आज तक किसी मस्जिद की दीवार में बाल के बराबर दरार नहीं आने दी। सदा कुरान का सम्मान किया।

PSEB 9th Class Hindi Solutions Chapter 18 शिवाजी का सच्चा स्वरूप

प्रश्न 3.
शिवाजी किस तरह सच्चे स्वराज्य की स्थापना करना चाहते थे ?
उत्तर:
शिवाजी ऐसे सच्चे स्वराज्य की स्थापना करना चाहते थे जहां सुख-शांति एवं भाईचारा हो। जहाँ पर-स्त्री का भी माँ के जैसा सम्मान हो। हिंदू-मुस्लिम सभी धर्म समान हों। मंदिर-मस्जिद दोनों का सम्मान हो। कोई भी आततायी न हो।

प्रश्न 4.
शिवाजी शील अर्थात् सच्चरित्र को जीवन का आवश्यक अंग क्यों मानते थे ?
उत्तर:
शिवाजी शील अर्थात् सच्चरित्र को जीवन का आवश्यक अंग इसलिए मानते थे, क्योंकि शील जीवन का मूल आधार है। इसी से जीवन महान् बनता है। यदि शिवा में शील नहीं तो सरदार और सेनापति में शील नहीं हो सकता है। बिना शील के हम लुटेरों, डाकुओं के समान हैं। इसके बिना जीवन से मृत्यु तथा विजय से पराजय कहीं ज्यादा श्रेष्ठ है।

3. निम्नलिखित प्रश्नों के उत्तर छः या सात पंक्तियों में दीजिए

प्रश्न 1.
‘शिवाजी का सच्चा स्वरूप’ पाठ के आधार पर शिवाजी का चरित्र-चित्रण कीजिए।
उत्तर:
शिवाजी के चरित्र की निम्नलिखित विशेषताएं हैं
(1) वीर-शिवाजी एक प्रसिद्ध मराठा वीर थे। उनकी वीरता चारों तरफ बहुत प्रसिद्ध थी। उन्होंने अपनी वीरता के बल पर अनेक विदेशी आक्रमणकारियों से लोहा लिया और उन्हें खदेड़ दिया।
(2) चरित्रवान्-शिवाजी एक महान् चरित्रवान् राजा थे। उनकी शीलता बहुत प्रसिद्ध थी। उन्होंने कभी भी किसी स्त्री को नहीं सताया था। यहां तक कि वह मुस्लिम स्त्रियों को भी पूजनीय मानता था।
(3) नारी का सम्मान करने वाला-शिवाजी नारी का पूरा सम्मान करते थे। वे पर-स्त्री को अपनी माँ के समान पूजनीय मानते थे। इसीलिए उन्होंने कल्याण सूबेदार अहमद की पुत्र-वधू को सेनापति द्वारा जीतने के बाद भी सम्मान सहित क्षमा मांग कर वापिस भिजवा दिया था।
(4) साहसी-शिवाजी एक साहसी वीर थे। उनमें साहस कूट-कूट भरा था। इसी साहस के बल पर उन्होंने अनेक आंतकियों को मार भगाया था।
(5) सभी धर्मों का सम्मान करने वाले-शिवाजी सभी धर्मों का आदर करते थे। उन का मानना था कि सभी धर्म श्रेष्ठ और पूजनीय होते हैं। वे मुस्लिम धर्म का पूर्ण रूप से सम्मान करते थे और किसी भी स्थिति में उस का निरादर करने की बात सोचते तक नहीं थे।

प्रश्न 2.
इस पाठ से आपको क्या शिक्षा मिलती है ?
उत्तर:
इस पाठ से हमें यह शिक्षा मिलती है कि पर-स्त्री को सदा माँ के समान पूजनीय समझना चाहिए। उसका सदा आदर करना चाहिए। कभी भी वीरता का घमंड नहीं करना चाहिए। धैर्यवान् एवं चरित्रवान् बनना चाहिए। दूसरों का सदा सम्मान करना चाहिए। सभी धर्मों एवं लोगों को समान भाव से देखना चाहिए।

PSEB 9th Class Hindi Solutions Chapter 18 शिवाजी का सच्चा स्वरूप

प्रश्न 3.
‘शिवाजी का सच्चा स्वरूप’ एकांकी के नाम की सार्थकता अपने शब्दों में लिखिए।
उत्तर:
इस एकांकी में लेखक ने शिवाजी की अपराजेय शक्ति, शौर्य और पराक्रम का चित्रण किया है। वे राष्ट्रीय गौरव के महान् ध्वज थे। उन्होंने धर्मान्ध विदेशी अत्याचारियों से निरंतर लोहा लिया। देश की शक्तियों को संगठित कर हिंदू स्वराज्य की स्थापना की, जो धर्मनिरपेक्ष था। उनका स्वराज्य मानव-मूल्यों की आधारशिला पर टिका हुआ था। जिसमें प्रत्येक नागरिक को सम्मानपूर्ण जीवनयापन के अधिकार प्राप्त थे। शिवाजी शीलवान और चरित्रवान् पुरुष थे। उनमें राजगद्दी का कोई अभिमान नहीं था। वे नारी जाति का पूर्ण सम्मान करते थे। शत्रु पत्नी उन्हें माँ से भी अधिक वंदनीय थी। यही कारण है कि सेनापति द्वारा शत्रु पत्नी को बंदी बनाकर लाने पर वे उनसे क्षमायाचना की थी तथा उन्हें सकुशल पति के पास भेजने का आश्वासन दिया था। उनका मानना था कि शिवा में शील होना आवश्यक था क्योंकि उनमें शील होने पर ही सेनापति तथा सरदारों में शील हो सकता था। बिना सच्चरित्र के लुटेरों, डाकुओं और हममें कोई अंतर नहीं। ऐसी अवस्था में जीवन से मृत्यु तथा विजय से पराजय कहीं ज्यादा श्रेष्ठ थी। इस प्रकार हम कह सकते हैं कि एकांकी का यह नाम बिल्कुल सार्थक है।

4. निम्नलिखित पंक्तियों का आशय स्पष्ट कीजिए

प्रश्न 1.
आवाजी, क्या तुम मेरी परीक्षा लेना चाहते थे ? इसलिए तो तुमने यह कार्य किया ?
उत्तर:
जब आवाजी कल्याण के सूबेदार अहमद की पुत्र-वधू को बंदी बनाकर शिवाजी के सामने लाया तो शिवाजी ने उसको फटकार लगाई कि क्या वह उसकी परीक्षा लेना चाहता था। शायद इसलिए तुमने यह कार्य किया है।।

प्रश्न 2.
पेशवा, यह…… यह मेरे …. मेरे एक सेनापति ने ….. मेरे एक सेनापति ने क्या…. क्या कर डाला। लज्जा से मेरा सिर आज पृथ्वी में नहीं, पाताल में घुसा जाता है। इस पाप का न जाने मुझे कैसा ….. कैसा प्रायश्चित करना पड़ेगा ?
उत्तर:
शिवाजी अपने सेनापति द्वारा किए गए घृणित कार्य से बहुत लज्जित हुए। उनकी अंर्तात्मा उन्हें दुत्कारने लगी तो वे अंदर ही अंदर क्षमा याचना करते हैं कि पर-स्त्री को बंदी बनाने का घृणित कार्य उनके सेनापति ने किया है। उसके सेनापति ने कैसा लज्जापूर्ण कार्य कर डाला। आज लज्जा से मेरा सिर पृथ्वी में नहीं बल्कि पाताल में धंसा जाता है। इस पाप का न जाने मुझे कैसा प्रायश्चित करना पड़ेगा।

(ख) भाषा-बोध

1. निम्नलिखित शब्दों को शुद्ध करके लिखिए

अशुद्ध – शुद्ध
दलान – ………………
सुसजित – ………………
वेषभूशा – ………………
गबराहट – ………………
हिंदू – ………………
मसजिद – ………………
श्रेसकर – ………………
सेनापती – ………………
उपसथित – ………………
मुसकुराना – ………………
खुबसूरती – ………………
सुराजय – ………………
घृणीत – ………………
प्राशचित – ………………
उत्तर:
अशुद्ध – शुद्ध
दलान – दालान
सुसजित – सुसज्जित
वेषभूशा – वेषभूषा
गबराहट – घबराहट
हिंदू – हिंदु
मसजिद – मस्जिद
श्रेसकर – श्रेयस्कर
सेनापती – सेनापति
उपसथित – उपस्थित
मुसकुराना – मुस्कुराना
खुबसूरती – खूबसूरती
सुराजय – स्वराज्य
घृणीत – घृणित
प्राशचित – प्रायश्चित

PSEB 9th Class Hindi Solutions Chapter 18 शिवाजी का सच्चा स्वरूप

2. निम्नलिखित मुहावरों के अर्थ समझकर उन्हें वाक्यों में प्रयुक्त कीजिए

  • मुहावर – अर्थ – वाक्य
  • भृकुटि चढ़ना – क्रोध आना – ………………
  • (नीचे का) होंठ (ऊपर के) –
    दाँतों के नीचे आना – क्रोध आना – ………………
  • सिर पर चढ़ाना – सम्मान करना, आदर-भाव से ग्रहण करना – ……………
  • बाल बराबर दरार न आने देना – ज़रा भी नुकसान न होने देना, एक समान भाव रखना, समानता रखना – …………….

उत्तर:

  • भृकुटि चढ़ना (क्रोध आना) – दुर्योधन को देखकर अर्जुन की भृकुटि चढ़ गई।
  • (नीचे का) होंठ (ऊपर के) दाँतों के नीचे आना (क्रोध आना) – दुश्मन को देखकर सिपाही का (नीचे का) होंठ (ऊपर के) दांतों के नीचे आ गया।
  • सिर पर चढ़ाना (सम्मान करना) – प्रताप से सभी प्रेम करते हैं इसलिए वह सबके सिर चढ़ा रहता है।
  • बाल बराबर दरार न आने देना (ज़रा भी नुकसान न होने देना एक समान भाव रखना अथवा समानता रखना)-शिवाजी ने कभी भी मस्जिदों में बाल बराबर दरार नहीं आने दी।

(ग) रचनात्मक अभिव्यक्ति

प्रश्न 1.
‘शिवाजी का सच्चा स्वरूप’ पाठ में लेखक क्या कहना चाहता है ? क्या लेखक अपनी बात कहने में पूरी तरह सफल हुआ है ? अपने शब्दों में उत्तर दीजिए।
उत्तर:
इस पाठ के माध्यम से लेखक शिवाजी की मानवतावादी एवं मानव कल्याण की भावना को उजागर करना चाहता है। शिवाजी शक्ति, शौर्य और पराक्रम की साक्षात मूर्ति थे। उन्होंने विदेशी अत्याचारियों से निरंतर लोहा लिया। उन्होंने देश की शक्तियों को संगठित कर हिंदवी स्वराज्य की स्थापना की। ऐसा स्वराज्य स्थापित किया जो धर्म-निरपेक्ष था। जो मानव मूल्यों की आधारशिला पर टिका था। उसमें प्रत्येक नागरिक को आदरपूर्वक जीवनयापन करने के पूर्ण अधिकार प्राप्त थे। शिवाजी को शत्रु-पत्नी माँ से भी अधिक वंदनीय थी। अन्य धर्मों को मानने वाले उन्हें बहुत प्रिय थे। उनके स्वराज्य में सभी धर्मों का सम्मान होता है, कहीं भी मस्जिद, कुरान का अपमान नहीं होता। इसीलिए वह कल्याण के सूबेदार अहमद की पुत्र-वधू को सेनापति द्वारा बंदी बनाने पर उनसे क्षमायाचना करता है और उन्हें आदर सहित उनके पति के पास भेजता है। इस घृणा योग्य कार्य से वह बहुत लज्जित होता है। इस तरह लेखक अपनी बात कहने में पूरी तरह से सफल हुआ है।

PSEB 9th Class Hindi Solutions Chapter 18 शिवाजी का सच्चा स्वरूप

प्रश्न 2.
यदि आप शिवाजी की जगह होते तो सेनापति आवाजी सोनदेव को उसकी नामाकूल हरकत के लिए क्या सज़ा देते ?
उत्तर:
यदि मैं शिवाजी की जगह होता तो सेनापति आवाजी सोनदेव को उनकी दुष्टतापूर्ण हरकत के लिए कड़ी से कड़ी सजा देता। उसे इस कार्य के लिए बिल्कुल माफ़ न करता। उसे आजीवन कारावास में डाल देता।

प्रश्न 3.
यत्र नार्यस्तु पूज्यन्ते रमन्ते तत्र देवताः अर्थात् जहाँ नारी का पूजा (सम्मान) होती है वहाँ देवता निवास करते हैं-क्या आप इस बात से सहमत हैं ? स्पष्ट कीजिए।
उत्तर:
हाँ, मैं इस बात से पूर्ण रूप से सहमत हूँ कि जहां नारी की पूजा होती है वहां देवता निवास करते हैं। नारी प्रकृति और उस परमात्मा का दूसरा रूप है। परमात्मा हर जगह विराजमान नहीं हो सकता था। इसलिए उसने संसार में अपने अनेक रूपों में नारी को बनाया। प्रकृति और प्रभु पूजनीय एवं श्रद्धा-योग्य हैं इसलिए नारी भी पूजनीय एवं श्रद्धेय है। अतः हमें नारी का सदा सम्मान करना चाहिए। उसकी सदा पूजा करनी चाहिए। जहां नारी की पूजा होती है वहां सदा सुख, शांति, समृद्धि का वास होता है। वहां कभी अशुभ नहीं हो सकता। इसलिए सदा नारी का आदर सम्मान करना चाहिए। उसकी पूजा करनी चाहिए।

प्रश्न 4.
स्त्री को छेड़ने/अपहरण आदि करतूत करने में बहादुरी नहीं होती। असली बहादुरी तो स्त्री रक्षा/ सुरक्षा में है। क्या आप इस बात से सहमत हैं ? स्पष्ट करें।
उत्तर:
हाँ, मैं इस बात से पूर्णतः सहमत हूँ कि स्त्री को छेड़ने या अपहरण आदि करतूत करने में बहादुरी नहीं होती बल्कि असली बहादुरी तो स्त्री की रक्षा या सुरक्षा करने में होती है। स्त्री को छेड़ना या अपहरण करना एक लज्जापूर्ण शिवाजी का सच्चा स्वरूप एवं घृणा योग्य कार्य है। इस कार्य को करने से समाज में बदनामी मिलती है। मान-सम्मान नष्ट हो जाता है। समाज ऐसे लोगों से घृणा करने लगता है। उनसे लोग अपना सामाजिक रिश्ता तोड़ लेते हैं। किंतु जो स्त्री की रक्षा या सुरक्षा करता है लोग उसे बहादुर कहकर उसका आदर सम्मान करते हैं। समाज में उसकी इज्जत बढ़ने लगती है। उसकी एक श्रेष्ठ होने की पहचान बन जाती है। इसलिए हमें सदा स्त्रियों की रक्षा या सुरक्षा करनी चाहिए।

प्रश्न 5.
नारी के उत्थान के लिए अनेक समाज सुधारकों/कवियों/लेखकों/महापुरुषों ने कार्य किये हैं। आप किससे प्रभावित हुए हैं ? नारी-उत्थान में उनके योगदान को उजागर करते हुए स्पष्ट करें।
उत्तर:
मैं हिंदी-साहित्य के प्रसिद्ध लेखक सूर्यकांत त्रिपाठी निराला से प्रभावित हुआ हूँ। उन्होंने नारी-उत्थान के लिए अनेक कार्य किए। उन्होंने अपने साहित्य में भारतीय नारी को विशेष स्थान दिया। उन्होंने नारी को सबसे श्रेष्ठ माना है। उन्होंने विधवा नारी को इष्टदेव के मंदिर की पूजा के समान बताया है। उन्होंने नारी पूजनीय एवं श्रद्धेय माना है।

PSEB 9th Class Hindi Solutions Chapter 18 शिवाजी का सच्चा स्वरूप

(घ) पाठेत्तर सक्रियता

प्रश्न 1.
‘शिवाजी का सच्चा स्वरूप’ एकांकी को अपने स्कूल के मंच पर खेलिए।
उत्तर:
अध्यापक की सहायता से एकांकी खेलें।

प्रश्न 2.
अपने स्कूल/शहर/गाँव के पुस्तकालय से शिवाजी से सम्बन्धित पुस्तक लेकर उनके अन्य जीवन प्रसंग पढ़िए। प्रेरक प्रसंगों की जानकारी इंटरनेट से भी प्राप्त हो सकती है।
उत्तर:
अध्यापक की सहायता से करें।

प्रश्न 3.
नारी अबला नहीं, सबला है-इस विषय पर कक्षा में वाद-विवाद आयोजित करें। (नोट : कक्षा में सभी विद्यार्थियों को इस विषय के पक्ष या विपक्ष में बोलने के लिए 2 मिनट का समय दिया जाए)
उत्तर:
पक्ष : यह कथन सत्य है कि नारी अबला नहीं, सबला है। नारी शक्ति का दूसरा नाम है। नारी को दुर्गा शक्ति का अवतार माना जाता है। नारी किसी भी रूप में पुरुषों से पीछे नहीं है। 21वीं सदी को तो नारी सदी के नाम से ही पुकारा गया है। आज नारी ने हर क्षेत्र में अपनी पहचान बनाई है। कोई ऐसा कार्य नहीं है जिसे नारी नहीं कर सकती। वह जीवन की हर कठिनाई एवं मुसीबत का बढ़-चढ़कर मुकाबला कर सकती है।

विपक्ष : नारी अबला है, सबला नहीं। नारी जीवन में केवल सहज कार्य ही कर सकती है वह केवल घर को संभालने में ही लगी रहती है। इतना ही नहीं वह किसी भी मुसीबत का मुकाबला नहीं कर सकती। वह हर जगह पुरुषों पर निर्भर रहती है।

(ङ ) ज्ञान-विस्तार

शिवाजी के बारे में कुछ महत्त्वपूर्ण बातें जानिए

  • पूरा नाम : शिवाजी राजे भोसले
  • जन्म तिथि : 19 फरवरी, 1630
  • जन्म भूमि : शिवनेरी (महाराष्ट्र)
  • पिता : शाह जी भोंसले
  • माता : जीजाबाई
  • पत्नी : साइबाई निम्बालकर
  • सन्तान : शम्भा जी
  • उपाधि : छत्रपति
  • युद्ध : मुग़लों के विरुद्ध अनेक युद्ध
  • निर्माण : अनेक क़िलों का निर्माण व पुनरुद्धार
  • सुधार परिवर्तन : हिन्दू राज्य की स्थापना
  • राजघराना : मराठा साम्राज्य
  • वंश : भोंसले
  • मृत्यु : 3 अप्रैल, सन् 1680

PSEB 9th Class Hindi Solutions Chapter 18 शिवाजी का सच्चा स्वरूप

PSEB 9th Class Hindi Guide शिवाजी का सच्चा स्वरूप Important Questions and Answers

1. निम्नलिखित प्रश्नों के उत्तर एक या दो पंक्तियों में दीजिए

प्रश्न 1.
सेनापति आवाजी सोनदेव ने किस पर विजय प्राप्त की ?
उत्तर:
सेनापति ने कल्याण पर विजय प्राप्त की।

प्रश्न 2.
किनका काम कल्याण पर विजय में प्रशंसनीय रहा ?
उत्तर:
कल्याण विजय में पैदल सेना के अधिपति नायब, हवलदार, जुमलादार, एकहजारी, घुड़सवारों में अधिपति हवलदार, जुमलदार तथा सूबेदार का काम प्रशंसनीय रहा।

प्रश्न 3.
सेनापति ने किसका खजाना लूटा ?
उत्तर:
सेनापति ने कल्याण का खजाना लूटा।

प्रश्न 4.
कल्याण का सूबेदार कौन था ?
उत्तर:
कल्याण का सूबेदार अहमद था।

2. निम्नलिखित प्रश्नों के उत्तर तीन या चार पंक्तियों में दीजिए

प्रश्न 1.
सेनापति द्वारा अहमद की पुत्र-वधू को बंदी बनाकर लाने की बात सुनकर शिवाजी पर क्या प्रभाव पड़ा ?
उत्तर:
शिवाजी की सारी प्रसन्नता अचानक लुप्त हो गई। उनकी भौहें चढ़ गईं थी। नीचे का होंठ ऊपर के दांतों के नीचे आ गया। उन्हें क्रोध आ गया।

3. निम्नलिखित प्रश्नों के उत्तर छः या सात पंक्तियों में दीजिए

प्रश्न 1.
एकांकी का मूल भाव स्पष्ट कीजिए।
उत्तर:
इस एकांकी में लेखक सेठ गोबिन्द दास ने शिवाजी के शील, शौर्य, पराक्रम एवं मानव मूल्यों का वर्णन किया है। इसमें शिवाजी का सच्चा स्वरूप उभरकर सामन आया है। वे हमारे राष्ट्रीय गौरव के महान् ध्वज थे। उन्होंने विदेशी अत्याचारियों से निरंतर लोहा लिया। देश की शक्तियों को संगठित कर हिंदवी स्वराज्य की स्थापना की। यह एक धर्म-निरपेक्ष स्वराज्य था जो मानव मूल्यों का आधारशिला पर खड़ा था। यहां प्रत्येक नागरिक को सम्मानपूर्ण जीवन जीने के पूर्ण अधिकार प्राप्त थे। शिवाजी को शत्रु पत्नी उन्हें माँ से भी अधिक पूजनीय थी। अन्य धर्मों को मानने वाले बहुत प्रिय थे। वे मुस्लिम धर्म का पूर्ण सम्मान करते थे। इसलिए उन्होंने कल्याण के सूबेदार अहमद की पुत्र-वधू को सेनापति द्वारा बंदी बनाने पर उससे क्षमा याचना की थी तथा उसे वापिस भेजने का आश्वासन दिया था।

PSEB 9th Class Hindi Solutions Chapter 18 शिवाजी का सच्चा स्वरूप

प्रश्न 2.
शिवाजी के लिए सभी धर्म पूज्य थे ? कैसें ?
उत्तर:
शिवाजी सभी धर्मों का आदर करते थे। यही कारण है कि उनकी सेना में हिंदु-मुसलमान दोनों थे। उन्होंने किसी मस्जिद की दीवार को कभी आंच नहीं आने दी। उन्हें कभी कुरान शरीफ़ मिली तो उसे आदर सहित मौलवी साहब की सेवा में भेजा था। उनके लिए हिंदू-मुसलमान प्रजा में कोई भेद नहीं था। इसीलिए उन्होंने धर्म-निरपेक्ष स्वराज्य की स्थापना की थी। इस प्रकार हम कह सकते हैं कि शिवाजी के लिए सभी धर्म पूजनीय थे।

एक शब्द/एक पंक्ति में उत्तर दीजिए

प्रश्न 1.
‘शिवाजी का सच्चा स्वरूप’ एकांकी किसकी रचना है ?
उत्तर:
सेठ गोबिन्द दास की।

प्रश्न 2.
शिवाजी के लिए शत्रु की पत्नी कैसी है ?
उत्तर:
माँ से भी अधिक वंदनीय है।

प्रश्न 3.
सेनापति आवाजी सोनदेव कहाँ का खज़ाना लूट कर लाए हैं ?
उत्तर:
कल्याण प्रांत का।

PSEB 9th Class Hindi Solutions Chapter 18 शिवाजी का सच्चा स्वरूप

प्रश्न 4.
‘शिवाजी का सच्चा स्वरूप’ एकांकी में किस स्थान और समय की घटना का वर्णन है ?
उत्तर:
रायगढ़ दुर्ग के एक प्लान में सन् 1648 ई० की संध्या का।

प्रश्न 5.
पेशवा का क्या नाम है ?
उत्तर:
मोरोपंत।

प्रश्न 6.
श्रीमंत सरकार शिवाजी को कौन संबोधित करता है ?
उत्तर:
पेशवा मोरोपंत और आवाजी सोनदेव सेनापति।

हां-नहीं में उत्तर दीजिए

प्रश्न 7.
अहमद की पुत्र-वधू को मोरोपंत ने बंदी बनाया था।
उत्तर:
नहीं।

प्रश्न 8.
अहमद की पुत्रवधू की आँखों में आँसू छलछला आए।
उत्तर:
हाँ।

PSEB 9th Class Hindi Solutions Chapter 18 शिवाजी का सच्चा स्वरूप

सही-गलत में उत्तर दीजिए

प्रश्न 9.
मोरोपंत शिवाजी की परिवर्तित मुद्रा देखकर घबरा सा जाता है।
उत्तर:
गलत।

प्रश्न 10.
माँ, आपको आराम, इज्जत, हिफ़ाजत और ख़बरदारी के साथ आपके शौहर के पास पहुँचा दिया जायेगा।
उत्तर:
सही।

रिक्त स्थानों की पूर्ति करें

प्रश्न 11.
आवाजी, तुमने ऐसा …… किया है, जो ……. क्षमा नहीं किया जा सकता।
उत्तर:
आवाजी, तुमने ऐसा काम किया है, जो कदाचित् क्षमा नहीं किया जा सकता।

प्रश्न 12.
तब तो ये ………… ये ……. घृणित …….. है।
उत्तर:
तब तो ये रक्तपात, ये लूटमार घृणित कृतियाँ हैं।

बहुविकल्पी प्रश्नों में से सही विकल्प चुनकर उत्तर लिखें

प्रश्न 13.
मसनत के सहारे शिवाजी किस आसन में बैठे हैं ?
(क) वज्रासन
(ख) सुखासन
(ग) वीरासन
(घ) पद्मासन।
उत्तर:
(ग) वीरासन।

PSEB 9th Class Hindi Solutions Chapter 18 शिवाजी का सच्चा स्वरूप

प्रश्न 14.
आवाजी सोनदेव शिवाजी का क्या है ?
(क) सैनिक
(ख) मंत्रि
(ग) पेशवा
(घ) सेनापति।
उत्तर:
(घ) सेनापति।

प्रश्न 15.
द्वार पर शस्त्रों से सुसज्जित कितने मावली रक्षक खड़े हैं ?
(क) दो
(ख) तीन
(ग) चार
(घ) पाँच।
उत्तर:
(क) दो।

प्रश्न 16.
“लज्जा से मेरा सिर आज पृथ्वी में नहीं, पाताल में घुसा जाता है”-कथन किसका है ?
(क) मोरोपंत
(ख) सोनदेव
(ग) शिवाजी
(घ) अहमद की पुत्रवधू।
उत्तर:
(ग) शिवाजी।

कठिन शब्दों के अर्थ

मावली = शिवाजी के खास सैनिक। दुर्ग = किला। निस्तब्धता = चुप्पी। हम्माल = मज़दूर, कुली। मेणा = बंद पालकी। पेशवा = सरदार। वृत्त = इतिहास, वृत्तांत। भृकुटि = भौंह। तोहफा = भेंट, उपहार। सिपहसालार = सेनापति। श्रीमंत = श्रीमान्। नामाकूल हरकत = अनुचित व्यवहार, मूर्खतापूर्ण व्यवहार, बेहूदा शरारत। इबादत = पूजा। कमखाब = रंगीन बूटीदार। = रेशमी कपड़ा। अभिवादन = सत्कार। सदृश = समान। हिफाज़त = सुरक्षा। ख़बरदारी = सावधानीपूर्ण, होशियारी से। पर-स्त्री = पराई स्त्री। शौहर = पति। दालान = बरामदा। कदाचित् = शायद, कभी। घृणित = घृणा के योग्य। आततायी = सताने वाले। स्तंभ = खंभा। क्षति = नुकसान।। रक्तपात = खून बहाना। मसनद् = गोल लंबोतरा तथा बड़ा तकिया। उदारचेता = खुले विचारों वाला। शील = चरित्र। श्रेयस्कर = कल्याणकारी। वीरासन में बैठने का एक ढंग जो प्रायः प्राचीन योद्धाओं, योगियों आदि द्वारा अपनाया जाता है। इन्द्रियलोलुप = भोगविलास की इच्छा रखने वाला। प्रायश्चित्त = पछतावा। कनखी = तिरछी नज़र। अजीबो गरीब = विचित्र। संवाद = परस्पर बातचीत। सत्ता का अपहरण = राज्य छीनना।

PSEB 9th Class Hindi Solutions Chapter 18 शिवाजी का सच्चा स्वरूप

शिवाजी का सच्चा स्वरुप Summary

शिवाजी का सच्चा स्वरुप जीवन-परिचय

जीवन परिचय-सेठ गोबिन्ददास हिंदी के श्रेष्ठ साहित्यकार थे। उनका जन्म सन् 1896 ई० में हुआ। वे लंबे समय तक लोकसभा के सदस्य रहे। भारत सरकार द्वारा इन्हें पद्मविभूषण से सम्मानित किया गया था।
रचनाएँ-सेठ जी ने साहित्य के सभी क्षेत्रों में लेखन कार्य किया है। परंतु नाटक-एकांकी के क्षेत्र में इन्होंने महान् ख्याति प्राप्त की है। इनकी प्रमुख रचनाएं इस प्रकार हैंनाटक एकांकी-अलबेला, कर्ण, कर्त्तव्य, प्रकाश, विकास, शाप और वर, सच्चा जीवन, सेवापथ अशोक, हर्ष।
साहित्यिक विशेषताएँ-सेठ गोबिन्ददास साहित्य और राजनीति का संगम थे। इन्हें देश-प्रेम संस्कारों में मिला था। यही उनके जीवन तथा साहित्य का प्रमुख स्वर रहा है। इनके साहित्य में देश-प्रेम की भावना का वर्णन हुआ है। इन्होंने अपने नाटक एकांकियों में सामाजिक, ऐतिहासिक पृष्ठभूमि पर जीवन की अनेक समस्याओं को उठाया है। इनमें भारतीय संस्कृति, देश-प्रेम तथा गांधी-दर्शन का प्रकाश उजागर किया गया है।

शिवाजी का सच्चा स्वरुप एकांकी का सार

‘शिवाजी का सच्चा स्वरूप’ सेठ गोबिन्ददास की प्रमुख एकांकी है। इसमें लेखक ने शिवाजी महाराज के सच्चे स्वरूप का वर्णन किया है। शिवाजी हमारे राष्ट्रीय गौरव का महान् ध्वज हैं। वे अपराजेय शक्ति, शौर्य और पराक्रमी थे। उन्होंने देश की शक्तियों को संगठित कर ‘हिन्दी स्वराज्य’ की स्थापना की। यह धर्म-निरपेक्ष स्वराज्य था। इन्होंने विदेशी आक्रमणकारियों से निरंतर लोहा लिया। इस एकांकी में लेखक ने शिवाजी के इसी पवित्र चरित्र का वर्णन किया गया है। शिवाजी, मोरोपंत तथा आवाजी सोनदेव इस एकांकी के प्रमुख पात्र हैं। शिवाजी एक प्रसिद्ध मराठा वीर, मोरोपंत पेशवा तथा सोनदेव शिवाजी एक सेनापति थे। यह एकांकी सन् 1648 ई० की संध्या को राजगढ़ दुर्ग के दालान पर घटित होती है। दालान में मसनद् के सहारे शिवाजी आसन पर बैठे थे। राजगढ़ दुर्ग के दालान पर शस्त्रों के साथ सुदृढ़ शरीर वाले मावली रक्षक खड़े हुए हैं और बायीं तरफ से मोरोपंत पिगंले का प्रवेश हुआ। उसने शिवाजी सरकार को नमस्कार किया। उसने बताया कि सेनापति सोनदेव कल्याण प्रांत को जीतकर वहां का सारा खज़ाना लूटकर आए हैं। यह शुभ समाचार सुनकर शिवाजी बड़े खुश हुए। कुछ समय पश्चात् सेनापति आवाजी सोनदेव ने शिवाजी के सामने आकर अभिवादन किया। शिवाजी ने उसे इस जीत की बधाई दी तथा सेनापति ने शिवाजी को बधाई दी। दोनों में इस युद्ध के विषय में खूब चर्चा हुई। सेनापति ने जीत के साथ-साथ कल्याण के लूटे हुए खजाने के बारे में बताया तथा उसने बताया कि वह कल्याण सूबेदार अहमद की पुत्र-वधू को भी बंद कर आपकी सेवा में लाया है। यह सुनकर अचानक शिवाजी की मुद्रा बदल जाती है। सेनापति भी घबरा उठता है। क्रोधित स्वर में शिवाजी तुरंत मेणा को अपने सामने लाने के लिए कहा। आवाजी उसी समय एक बंद पालकी महाराज के सामने ले आए। उसमें से बहुत सुंदर युवती (अहमद की पुत्रवधु) बाहर निकल चुपचाप एक तरफ खड़ी हो जाती है।

PSEB 9th Class Hindi Solutions Chapter 18 शिवाजी का सच्चा स्वरूप

शिवाजी उसे माँ कहकर अपने सेनापति के लिए माफी मांगते हैं, उन्होंने कहा कि वे तो उसके सौंदर्य का हिंदू विधि से पूजन करना चाहते हैं । इसके बाद शिवाजी क्रोधावेश में आकर सेनापति पर बरस पड़े कि तूने ऐसा घृणित कार्य किया। शिवा ने आजतक किसी मस्जिद में बाल बराबर भी दरार नहीं आने दी। उसने तो कुरान को भी सर माथे लगाया। उसका सम्मान किया। इस्लाम उसके लिए पूज्य है। इस्लाम के पवित्र स्थान तथा पवित्र ग्रंथ उनके लिए सम्माननीय हैं। शिवाजी की सेना में हिंदु ही नहीं मुस्लिम भी सैनिक थे। वह देश में हिंदू राज्य नहीं सच्चे स्वराज्य की स्थापना करना चाहते थे। वह आक्रमणकारियों से सत्ता लेकर उदार लोगों को देना चाहते थे। वह तो स्त्री को माता के समान पूजनीय मानता था। शिवाजी सेनापति के बुरे कार्य के लिए फटकारते रहे। वे बार-बार अपने सेनापति के इस बुरे कर्म की वजह से पश्चाताप करने लगे। उन्होंने उसी समय घोषणा की कि यदि आगे कोई ऐसा कार्य करेगा तो उसका सर उसी समय धड़ से अलग कर दिया जाएगा। यह कहकर शिवाजी का सिर नीचे झुक गया।

PSEB 10th Class English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages

Punjab State Board PSEB 10th Class English Book Solutions English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages Exercise Questions and Answers, Notes.

PSEB 10th Class English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages

नोट : परीक्षा-पत्र में Unseen Reading Comprehension के लिए दिया जाने वाला पैरा प्रायः व्याकरण की निर्धारित पुस्तक में से ही लिया जाता है। इसलिए विद्यार्थियों को ऐसे पैरे बहुत ध्यान से तैयार कर लेने चाहिएं।

(A) Passages From Grammar Book Note :

In all the passages, questions have been changed according to new pattern of Testing.

Passage – 1

One evening a boy of three was out for a walk with his father. There was also an elderly man with the father. Chatting, they walked on and went beyond the village. The green crops delighted the eyes. The elders were walking along the edge of a field. Not hearing the footsteps of the boy, the father looked back. The boy was sitting on the ground and seemed to be planting something. The father became curious. “What are you doing?” said he. “Look, Father, I shall grow guns all over the field,” was the innocent reply of the boy. His eyes shone with the strong faith that guns would grow in the field. Both the elders were struck with wonder at the little boy’s words. The boy was Bhagat Singh who later fought like a hero for India’s freedom and sacrificed his life.

Word-meanings : 1. elderly – बुजुर्ग 2. chatting – बातचीत करते हुए ; 3. curious – उत्सुक; 4. sacrificed – बलिदान दे दिया

PSEB 10th Class English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages

Choose the correct option to answer each question :

Question 1.
Where were the elders walking?
(a) Along the bank of a canal.
(b) Along the edge of a well.
(c) Along the bank of the river.
(d) Along the edge of a field.
Answer:
(d) Along the edge of a field.

Question 2.
What was the boy doing when his father looked back?
(a) He was sitting on the ground.
(b) He was planting something.
(c) Both (a) and (b).
(d) Neither (a) nor (b).
Answer:
(c) Both (a) and (b).

Question 3.
What faith did the boy have?
(a) He believed that bombs would grow in the field.
(b) He believed that guns would grow in the field.
(c) He believed that green crops would grow in the field.
(d) He believed that brave men would grow in the field.
Answer:
(b) He believed that guns would grow in the field.

Question 4.
Father looked back because …………
(a) he did not hear the footsteps of his son.
(b) his son was calling him.
(c) his son was left behind.
(d) his son asked him to do so.
Answer:
(a) he did not hear the footsteps of his son.

PSEB 10th Class English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages

Question 5.
Bhagat Singh sacrificed his life for …..
(a) his family
(b) truth
(c) India’s freedom
(d) his ideals.
Answer:
(c) India’s freedom

Passage 2

Dr. C.V. Raman was, a genius? who won the Nobel Prize for Physics, using simple equipment barely worth $300. He was the first Asian scientist to win the Nobel Prize. He was a man of boundless curiosity and had a lively sense of humour. His spirit of inquiry and devotion to science laid the foundation for scientific research in India. And he won honour as a scientist, and affection as a teacher and a man. Raman was studious. He kept in touch with the latest developments in science in the world around him. He had personal contacts with many scientists. He used to read new books and research papers from different centres. “The equipment which brought me the Nobel Prize did not cost more than three hundred rupees. A table drawer can hold all my research equipment,” he used to say with pride. It was his conviction that if the research worker is not inspired from within, no amount of money can bring him or her success in research.

Word meanings : 1. genius – प्रतिभाशाली ; 2. equipment – साज-सामान, उपकरण; 3. inquiry – जांच, उत्सुकता ; 4. studious – अध्ययनशील ; 5. conviction – दृढ़-विश्वास।

Choose the correct option to answer each question :

Question 1.
What kind of a man was Dr. C.V. Raman?
(a) He was a man of unlimited curiosity.
(b) He had a lively sense of humour.
(c) Both (a) and (b).
(d) Neither (a) nor (b).
Answer:
(c) Both (a) and (b).

Question 2.
What is he famous for ?
(a) For being the first American scientist to win the Nobel Prize.
(b) For being the first Asian scientist to win the Nobel Prize.
(c) For being the first African scientist to win the Nobel Prize.
(d) For being the first Japanese scientist to win the Nobel Prize.
Answer:
(b) For being the first Asian scientist to win the Nobel Prize.

PSEB 10th Class English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages

Question 3.
He believed that if the research work is not ……… any amount of money cannot make the research successful.
(a) applauded by people
(b) done deeply
(c) inspired from within
(d) done thoughtfully.
Answer:
(c) inspired from within

Question 4.
The equipment that won him the Nobel Prize
(a) did not cost more than five hundred rupees.
(b) did not cost more than three hundred rupees.
(c) did not cost more than four hundred rupees.
(d) did not cost more than six hundred rupees.
Answer:
(b) did not cost more than three hundred rupees.

Question 5.
Which word in the passage means ‘scholarly’?
(a) genius
(b) studious
(c) conviction
(d) barely.
Answer:
(b) studious

Passage 3

Early rising leads to health and happiness. The man who rises late can have little rest in the course of the day. Anyone who lies in bed late is compelled to work till late hours in the evening. He has to go without the evening exercise which is so necessary for his health. In spite of all his efforts, his work will not produce as good results as that of an early riser. The reason for this is that he cannot take advantage of the refreshing morning hours. Some people say that the quiet hours of midnight are the best time for working. Several great thinkers say that they can write best only when they burn the midnight. Yet it is true to say that few men have a clear brain at midnight when the body needs rest and sleep. Those who work at that time soon ruin their health. Bad health must, in the long run, have a bad effect on the quality of their work.

Word-meanings : 1. in the course of — के दौरान; 2. compelled — बाध्या होना ; 3. burn the midnight oil – देर रात तक काम करना

Choose the correct option to answer each question :

Question 1.
What leads to health and happiness ?
(a) Late rising.
(b) Early rising.
(c) Brisk walk.
(d) Long walk.
Answer:
(b) Early rising.

Question 2.
What is a late riser compelled to do ?
(a) To work for a short while.
(b) To work early in the morning.
(c) To stop working at all.
(d) To work till late hours in the evening.
Answer:
(d) To work till late hours in the evening.

Question 3.
Why can’t we have a clear brain at midnight?
(a) Because we are fully fresh at that time.
(b) Because we want to go for walk at that time.
(c) Because at that time our body needs rest and sleep.
(d) Because at that time we are fully disturbed.
Answer:
(c) Because at that time our body needs rest and sleep.

Question 4.
The man who rises late cannot take advantage of ………
(a) the refreshing sunny hours.
(b) the refreshing midnight hours.
(c) the refreshing evening hours.
(d) the refreshing morning hours.
Answer:
(d) the refreshing morning hours.

PSEB 10th Class English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages

Question 5.
The word ‘essential’ means – …………
(a) compelled
(b) necessary
(c) advantage
(d) ruin
Answer:
(b) necessary

Passage 4.
Each one of us should have a hobby. Sometimes boys and girls are encouraged in schools to take up hobbies. They work at certain things in schools such as collecting stamps, or carpentry, but this so-called hobby is a thing for schools only. They do not pay any attention to it at their homes. Sometimes this is because of poverty, sometimes because of lack of interest. But a hobby is not really a hobby unless we are so interested in it that we want to carry it on whenever we have spare time. According to the dictionary meaning, a hobby is a favourite subject or occupation that is not one’s main business. It is something in which we are more interested than in anything else.

Word-meanings : 1. encouraged – प्रोत्साहित; 2. poverty – निर्धनता

Choose the correct option to answer each question :

Question 1.
What is the dictionary meaning of ‘hobby’ ?
(a) A skill that is one’s source of earning.
(b) Favourite subject or occupation that is not one’s main business.
(c) Both (a) and (b)
(d) Neither (a) nor (b).
Answer:
(b) Favourite subject or occupation that is not one’s main business.

Question 2.
When does a hobby become a thing for schools only?
(a) It is when no attention is paid to it at home.
(b) It is when full attention is paid to it at home.
(c) It is when no attention is paid to it at school.
(d) It is when full attention is paid to it at school.
Answer:
(a) It is when no attention is paid to it at home.

Question 3.
Name the hobbies mentioned in the passage.
(a) Stamp collecting.
(b) Carpentry.
(c) Both (a) and (b).
(d) Neither (a) nor (b).
Answer:
(c) Both (a) and (b).

Question 4.
We should carry on our hobby whenever we have ……..
(a) no time
(b) spare time
(c) golden time
(d) busy time
Answer:
(b) spare time

Question 5.
Sometimes students cannot pay attention to their hobbies due to ……….
(a) over work and studies
(b) lack of spare time
(c) poverty or lack of interest
(d) none of these three.
Answer:
(c) poverty or lack of interest

Passage – 5

Ashoka, the most trusted son of Bindusara and the grandson of Chandragupta Maurya, was a brave soldier. He was the most famous of the Mauryan kings and was one of the greatest rulers of India. Ashoka extended the Mauryan Empire to the whole of India, reaching out even into Central Asia. Ashoka succeeded in conquering Kalinga after a bloody war in which 100,000 men were killed, 150,000 injured and thousands were captured and retained as slaves. The sight of the slaughter involved in his conquest’ deeply affected his mind. He renounced war and sought peace in Buddha’s preachings of love and non-violence. So he gave up hunting.

Word-meanings: 1. extended – फैलाया; 2. in conquering- जीतने में; 3. retained – बंदी बना लिए गए ; 4. slaughter- हत्याकाण्ड; 5. conquest- जीत ; 6. renounced- त्याग दिया|

Choose the correct option to answer each question :

Question 1.
What was the name of Ashoka’s grandfather ?
(a) Bindusara Maurya.
(b) Rishabh Maurya.
(c) Chandragupta Maurya.
(d) Bhisham Maurya.
Answer:
(c) Chandragupta Maurya.

Question 2.
What happened in the war of Kalinga ?
(a) 100,000 men were killed.
(b) 150,000 men were injured.
(c) Thousands were captured and retained as slaves.
(d) All of these three.
Answer:
(d) All of these three.

Question 3.
Write the changes in Ashoka’s life after the war.
(a) He gave up war.
(b) He sought peace in love and non-violence.
(c) Both (a) and (b).
(d) Neither (a) nor (b)
Answer:
(c) Both (a) and (b).

PSEB 10th Class English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages

Question 4.
Ashoka was one of the …………..
(a) greatest saints of India
(b) greatest rulers of India
(c) greatest preachers of India
(d) greatest yogis of India
Answer:
(b) greatest rulers of India

Question 5.
For Ashoka the war of Kalinga was a ……………
(a) bloody massacre
(b) great war
(c) great victory for him
(d) turning point of his life.
Answer:
(d) turning point of his life.

Passage 6

“Brothers and sisters, the long night is at last drawing to a close. Miseries and sorrows are disappearing. Ours is a sacred country. She is gradually waking up, thanks to the fresh breeze all around. Are you prepared for all sacrifices for the sake of your mother-land ? If you are, then you can rid the land of poverty and ignorance. You should develop a strong physique? You should shape your mind through study and meditation. Only then will victory be yours. I loved my motherland dearly before I went to America and England. After my return, every particle of the dust of this land seems sacred to me.” Do you know who carried this message to the whole continent of Asia ? It was Swami Vivekananda.

Word meanings : 1. miseries – दुःख ; 2. gradually-धीरे-धीरे ; 3. physique – डील-डौल ; 4. meditation – चिन्तन।

Choose the correct option to answer each question :

Question 1.
How can we rid the land of poverty and ignorance?
(a) By fighting for our rights.
(b) By doing our duties.
(c) By making sacrifices for our family.
(d) By making sacrifices for the sake of our motherland.
Answer:
(d) By making sacrifices for the sake of our motherland.

Question 2.
How can you shape your mind ?
(a) Through study.
(b) Through meditation.
(c) Both (a) and (b)
(d) Neither (a) nor (b)
Answer:
(c) Both (a) and (b)

Question 3.
Where did Swami Vivekananda carry the message ?
(a) To the whole continent of Antarctica.
(b) To the whole continent of Asia.
(c) To the whole continent of Africa.
(d) To the whole continent of Europe.
Answer:
(b) To the whole continent of Asia.

Question 4.
India is gradually. …….
(a) waking up
(b) sleeping
(c) lagging behind
(d) preparing for the war.
Answer:
(a) waking up

Question 5.
Who speaks the above lines ?
(a) Mahavira
(b) Gautama Buddha
(c) Swami Vivekananda
(d) Guru Nanak Dev.
Answer:
(c) Swami Vivekananda

PSEB 10th Class English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages

Passage 7.

A Nation’s Strength :
Not gold, but only men can make
A nation great and strong
Men who, for truth and honour’s sake,
Stand fast and suffer long.

Brave men who work while others sleep,
Who darewhile others fly,
They build a nation’s pillars deep,
And lift them to the sky. – R.W. Emerson

Word-meanings : 1. stand fast – डटे रहना ; 2. dare – सामना करते हैं ; 3. fly – भाग जाते हैं ; 4. pillars – स्तम्भ।

Choose the correct option to answer each question :

Question 1.
What makes a nation great and strong ?
(a) Its youth.
(b) Its soldiers.
(c) Its people.
(d) Its government.
Answer:
(c) Its people.

Question 2.
What do brave men do while others sleep?
(a) They work hard.
(b) They suffer long.
(c) They also sleep.
(d) They run away.
Answer:
(a) They work hard.

Question 3.
How can they lift a nation to the sky ?
(a) Through their sacrifices.
(b) Through their faith.
(c) Through their duty.
(d) Through their hard work.
Answer:
(d) Through their hard work.

Question 4.
Complete the line :
Who dare while ……………..!
(a) others fly
(b) others laugh
(c) others die
(d) others challenge.
Answer:
(a) others fly

PSEB 10th Class English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages

Question 5.
Who are the real pillars of a nation ?
(a) Common people.
(b) Rich people.
(c) Brave people.
(d) Poor people.
Answer:
(c) Brave people.

Question 6.
The word ‘dare’ means –
(a) endure
(b) challenge
(c) raise
(d) reality
Answer:
(b) challenge

Passage 8

My Books :

I love my books
They are the homes
of queens and fairies,
Knights? and gnomes.

Each time I read I make a call
On some quaint person large or small,
Who welcomes me with a hearty hand
And leads me through his wonderland.
Each book is like

A city street
Along whose winding
Way I meet
New friends and old who laugh and sing
And take me off adventuring.

Word-meanings : 1. knights – योद्धा ; 2. gnomes – बौने ; 3. quaint – अजीब ; 4. winding – बल-खाती।

Choose the correct option to answer each question :

Question 1.
The poet loves his books because through them he …………
(a) meets new friends
(b) sees new lands
(c) both (a) and (b)
(d) neither (a) nor (b)
Answer:
(c) both (a) and (b)

Question 2.
How does the quaint person welcome the poet ?
(a) With no smile.
(b) With a sad heart.
(c) With a hearty hand.
(d) Any of these three.
Answer:
(c) With a hearty hand.

Question 3.
The poet is led through a …….. each time he reads a book.
(a) homeland
(b) wonderland
(c) woodland
(d) farmland.
Answer:
(b) wonderland

Question 4.
In the books, the poet meets new and old friends in the ……
(a) city streets
(b) wonderland
(c) villages
(d) farmhouses.
Answer:
(a) city streets

Question 5.
The antonym of the word ‘winding’ is ……
(a) straight
(b) round
(c) curved
(d) feeble
Answer:
(a) straight

Passage 9

Stone Walls Do Not A Prison Make:
Stone walls do not a prison make
Nor iron bars a cage :
Mind’s innocence and quiet take
That for a hermitage?

If I have freedom in my love,
And in my soul am free,
Angels alone that soar above
Enjoy such liberty. -R. Lovelace

Word-meanings : 1. hermitage – आश्रम; 2. angel – देवदूत

choose the correct option to answer each question :

Question 1.
What does not make a prison ?
(a) Strong walls.
(b) Stone walls.
(c) Weak walls.
(d) Brick Walls.
Answer:
(b) Stone walls.

Question 2.
According to the poet, what does not make a cage ?
(a) Iron bars.
(b) Wooden bars.
(c) Golden bars.
(d) Silver bars.
Answer:
(a) Iron bars.

Question 3.
Which quality of the mind makes a hermitage ?
(a) Innocence of the mind.
(b) Quiet acceptance.
(c) Both (a) and (b).
(d) Neither (a) nor (b).
Answer:
(c) Both (a) and (b).

PSEB 10th Class English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages

Question 4.
‘Such liberty’ is enjoyed only by ……….
(a) birds
(b) angels
(c) devils
(d) animals.
Answer:
(b) angels

Question 5.
The word ‘liberty’ means – ……….
(a) spirit
(b) freedom
(c) jail
(d) rise
Answer:
(b) freedom

Passage 10

A child’s Evening Prayer :
Erel on my bed my limbs I lay,
God grant me grace my prayers to
say:
O God ! preserve? my mother dear
In strength and health for many a year;

And, O ! preserve my father too,
And may I pay him reverence due;
And may I my best thoughts employ
To be my parents’ hope and joy;
And O ! preserve my brothers both

From evil doings and from sloth,
And may we always love each other,
Our friends, our father, and our mother :
And still, O Lord, to me impart
An innocent and grateful heart,

That after my great sleep I may
Awake to Thy eternal day! – Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Worst-meanings : 1. ere – से फूर्व ; 2. preserve – सुरक्षित रखना ; 3. reverence – सम्मान ; 4. sloth — सुस्ती; 5. Thy — your.

Choose the correct option to answer each question :

Question 1.
When does the child pray ?
(a) Before going to bed.
(b) After going to bed.
(c) Before getting up.
(d) After getting up.
Answer:
(a) Before going to bed.

Question 2.
The child prays to God that his mother ……………. .
(a) may remain strong
(b) may remain healthy
(c) live long
(d) all of these three.
Answer:
(d) all of these three.

PSEB 10th Class English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages

Question 3.
What does he ask for himself ?
(a) An innocent heart.
(b) A grateful heart.
(c) Both (a) and (b).
(d) Neither (a) nor (b).
Answer:
(c) Both (a) and (b).

Question 4.
The child pays ………… to his father.
(a) reverence
(b) strength
(c) wealth
(d) attention.
Answer:
(a) reverence

Question 5.
The child wants to be the hope and joy of ………
(a) God
(b) his parents
(c) his siblings
(d) his teachers.
Answer:
(b) his parents

Question 6.
Give the rhyme-scheme of the last four lines.
(a) abab
(b) abba
(c) aabb
(d) baba.
Answer:
(c) aabb

Passage 11.

The Rainbow :
Boats sail on the rivers,
And ships sail on the seas;
But clouds that sail across the sky
Are prettier? than these.
There are bridges on the rivers,
As pretty as you please;
But the bow that bridges heaven,
And overtops the trees,
And builds a road from earth to sky,
Is prettier far than these. – Christina Rossetti

Word-meanings : 1. sail – तैरना; 2. prettier — जयादा सुन्दर; 3. bow – कमान, इन्दूधनुष ; 4. overtops – के ऊपर से गुजाती है

Choose the correct option to answer each question :

Question 1.
Where does the rainbow build a road?
(a) From the sky to the sea.
(b) From the earth to the sky.
(c) From the land to the sea.
(d) None of these three.
Answer:
(b) From the earth to the sky.

Question 2.
What are prettier than boats and ships ?
(a) Aeroplanes.
(b) Raindrops.
(c) Clouds.
(d) Trains.
Answer:
(c) Clouds.

Question 3.
According to the poet, the …… is the prettiest.
(a) sky
(b) rainbow
(c) rain
(d) cloud.
Answer:
(b) rainbow

PSEB 10th Class English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages

Question 4.
The rainbow bridges ………..
(a) hell
(b) aboder
(c) heaven
(d) sky.
Answer:
(c) heaven

Question 5.
The word ‘far’ means – ……….
(a) a little.
(b) much more.
(c) many a.
(d) the few.
Answer:
(b) much more.

Passage 12 

The Noble Nature :
It is not growing like a tree
In bulk?, doth make man better be;
Or standing long an oak, three hundred year,
To fall a log at last, dry, bald and sere?:

A lily of a day
Is fairer far in May,
Although it falls and dies that night;
It was the plant and flower of light.
In small proportions we just beauties see:

And in short measures life may perfect be. -Ben Jonson

Word-meanings : 1. bulk — आकार में बड़ा ; 2. bald — गंजा; 3. sere – बेकार के; 4. proportions — मात्रा

Choose the correct option to answer each question :

Passage 1.
What does not make a man a better being ?
(a) Being wealthy
(b) Becoming famous.
(c) Growing in size.
(d) Being kind-hearted.
Answer:
(c) Growing in size.

Passage 2.
Which thing in nature can live up to three hundred years ?
(a) A lily flower.
(b) An oak tree.
(c) A sunflower.
(d) A willow tree.
Answer:
(b) An oak tree.

Passage 3.
How long does a lily live ?
(a) For a day.
(b) For a week.
(c) For a month.
(d) For a year.
Answer:
(a) For a day.

Passage 4.
The message of this poem is that a …………. but ………… life is far better than a worthless life of long years.
(a) long, virtuous.
(b) long, vicious.
(c) short, virtuous.
(d) short, vicious.
Answer:
(c) short, virtuous.

PSEB 10th Class English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages

Passage 5.
In short measures also, life may be …….
(a) pious
(b) perfect
(c) impious
(d) imperfect.
Answer:
(b) perfect

Passage 13.

The great advantage of early rising is the good start it gives us in our day’s work. The early riser has done a large amount of hard work before other men have got out of bed. In the early morning, the mind is fresh and there are few sounds or other distractions, so that the work done at that time is generally well-done. In many cases, the early riser also finds time to take some exercise in fresh morning air, and this exercise supplies him with a fund of energy that will last until the evening . By beginning so early, he knows that he has plenty of time to do thoroughly all the work he can be expected to do, and is not tempted to hurry over any part of it. All his work being finished in good time, he has a long interval of rest in the evening before the timely hour when he goes to bed. He gets to sleep several hours before midnight, at the time when sleep is most refreshing and after a sound night’s rest, rises early next morning in good health and spirits for the labour of the next day.

Word-meanings : 1. advantage – लाभ ; 2. distractions – भटकाव ; 3. thoroughly – अच्छी तरह।

Choose the correct option to answer each question :

Question 1.
……….. gives our day’s work a good start.
(a) Late rising.
(b) Going to bed late.
(c) Early rising.
(d) Going to bed early.
Answer:
(c) Early rising.

Question 2.
Why is the work done in the early hours generally well-done ?
(a) Because the mind is fresh
(b) Because the mind is free from noises.
(c) Because the mind is free from distractions.
(d) All of these three.
Answer:
(d) All of these three.

Question 3.
When is the mind fresh ?
(a) Late at night.
(b) In the evening.
(c) In the early morning.
(d) At midnight.
Answer:
(c) In the early morning.

Question 4.
We can find ample time of rest in the evening by …
(a) taking exercise
(b) finishing our work at night
(c) rising late
(d) finishing our work in good time.
Answer:
(d) finishing our work in good time.

Question 5.
The word ‘tempted’ means –
(a) suitable
(b) benefit
(c) usually
(d) attracted
Answer:
(d) attracted

(B) Some Other Passages

Passage 1

Of all the trees, of southern Asia, the banyan is unique, not only for the manner of its growth, but for the area of shade it provides from the burning sun. Its close relationship with man has evolved? over the years to make the banyan a popular meeting place, a focal point of worship and a source of practical materials for commerce. Known as the strangler fig because of its unusual manner of growth, the banyan is an epiphyte6 or air plant, that has its birth in the branches of a host tree and lives on airborne moisture and nutrients. Banyan seeds are deposited by birds, bats or monkeys in the rich soil collected in the crevices? of host-tree branches. As the banyan grows, it sends aerial roots down the trunk of the supporting tree. In time, the roots that reach the ground choke the host tree by preventing its trunk from enlarging. The two best-known species of banyans are : the Indian (Ficus benghalensis), one of the world’s largest tropicalo trees; and the Chinese (Ficus retusa), a smaller species with fewer aerial roots.

Word-meanings : 1. provides – देता है, टिंटा 7 ; 2. evolved – धीरे-धीरे विकसित हुआ ; 3. focal – केन्द्रीय ; 4. strangler – जो किसी चीज़ की वृद्धि को दबाता या रोकता है ; 5. fig – चौड़े पत्तों वाला पेड़; 6. epiphyte – एक पौधा जो दूसरे पौधे या कभी-कभी दूसरी चीज़ पर बढ़ता है; 7. crevices – दरारें; 8. aerial – आकाश में लटका हुआ ; 9. tropical – उष्ण कटिबन्धी।

PSEB 10th Class English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages

Choose the correct option to answer each question :

Question 1.
Why is the banyan called the strangler fig?
(a) Because it chokes the host tree.
(b) Because it chokes other trees.
(c) Because it chokes the drains.
(d) Any of these three.
Answer:
(a) Because it chokes the host tree.

Question 2.
In what ways is the banyan tree unique ?
(a) It is unique in the manner of its growth.
(b) It is unique in terms of the area of shade it provides.
(c) Both (a) and (b).
(d) Neither (a) nor (b).
Answer:
(c) Both (a) and (b).

Question 3.
The banyan tree is a popular meeting place because ……….
(a) it provides cool shade.
(b) it provides sweet fruit.
(c) it provides a focal point of worship.
(d) none of these three.
Answer:
(c) it provides a focal point of worship.

Question 4.
The Indian banyan is one of the world’s tropical trees.
(a) oldest
(b) smallest
(c) youngest
(d) largest
Answer:
(d) largest

Question 5.
The antonym of the word ‘enlarging’ is –
(a) enhancing
(b) following
(c) contracting
(d) forgiving.
Answer:
(c) contracting

Passage 2

Sir Alexander Fleming was a very humble? and modest? man. He found penicillin by chance. He was very hard-working. He tried all his life to fight for killing germs in the human body. Before the invention of penicillin, carbolic acid and sulpha drugs were used as disinfectants. These things killed the germs of many diseases, but they also harmed the cells of human body. Penicillin saved the lives of millions of human beings.

Word-meanings : 1. humble – नम्र, विनीत ; 2. modest – विनम् संकोची; 3. by chance – संयोग से ; 4. cells – कोशिकाएं।

Choose the correct option to answer each question :

Question 1.
What was the nature of Sir Alexander Fleming ?
(a) A very humble man.
(b) A very hardworking man.
(c) A very modest man.
(d) All of these three.
Answer:
(d) All of these three.

Question 2.
What did he find ?
(a) Penicillin.
(b) Radium.
(c) Carbolic acid.
(d) Sulpha drugs.
Answer:
(a) Penicillin.

Question 3.
Penicillin saved the lives of ……………….. human beings.
(a) hundreds
(b) thousands
(c) millions
(d) any of these three.
Answer:
(c) millions

Question 4.
……… harmed the cells of human body.
(a) Carbolic acid
(b) Sulpha drugs
(c) Both (a) and (b).
(d) Neither (a) nor (b).
Answer:
(c) Both (a) and (b).

PSEB 10th Class English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages

Question 5.
The word ‘invention’ means –
(a) medicines
(b) Sulpha drugs
(c) noble
(d) discovery
Answer:
(d) discovery

Passage 3

The elephant is the only animal with a trunk?. It uses its trunk in many ways. It pulls leaves of trees with its trunk and then puts them into its mouth. It can use its trunk to get water. The trunk can hold a lot of water to drink. An elephant needs to drink more than three pints of water every day. In Africa, men have hunted elephants for their tusks. The ivory from tusks is made into many beautiful things.
heavy things over long distances.

Word-meanings : 1. trunk- हाथी की सूंड ; 2. pint- तरल पदार्थ नापने की इकाई ; 3. tusk- हाथी का लम्बा दांत जो मुंह से बाहर निकला होता है ; 4. ivory- हाथीदांत।

Choose the correct option to answer each question :

Question 1.
An elephant uses its trunk to …..
(a) pull leaves
(b) put food into its mouth
(c) get water
(d) all of these three.
Answer:
(d) all of these three.

Question 2.
How much water does an elephant need to drink in a day?
(a) More than one pint of water.
(b) More than three pints of water.
(c) Less than two pints of water.
(d) Less than four pints of water.
Answer:
(b) More than three pints of water.

Question 3.
Which is the only animal who has a trunk ?
(a) The lion.
(b) The horse.
(c) The leopard.
(d) The elephant
Answer:
(d) The elephant

Question 4.
The ivory from ………… is used to make many beautiful things.
(a) trunk
(b) tusks
(c) tail
(d) trumpet.
Answer:
(b) tusks

Question 5.
Which word in the passage means ‘teeth?
(a) tusks
(b) trunk
(d) ivory.
Answer:
(b) tusks

Passage 4.

Guru Gobind Singh, the last of the ten Sikh Gurus, was a great son of India. He led India to sublime heights of glory. He brought about moral resurgences and created order out of disorderly social conditions. He was a multi-faceted personality. He was a poet, a soldier, a statesman, a leader and a true socialist, all in one. He put life into the dying social order by giving it a wholly new outlook.

Word-meanings : 1. sublime – उत्कृष्ट, भव्य; 2. glory – यश, गौरव: ; 3. resurgence – एक बार फिर से अधिक ताक़तवर तथा अधिक प्रसिद्ध होना।

Choose the correct option to answer each question :

Question 1.
Who was the last Sikh Guru ?
(a) Guru Nanak Dev.
(b) Guru Gobind Singh.
(c) Guru Arjun Dev.
(d) Guru Ram Das.
Answer:
(b) Guru Gobind Singh.

Question 2.
What did he do to improve the social order ?
(a) He brought about financial prosperity.
(b) He brought about moral resurgence.
(c) Both (a) and (b).
(d) Neither (a) nor (b).
Answer:
(b) He brought about moral resurgence.

Question 3.
How did he put life into the dying social order ?
(a) By working for the poor and weak people.
(b) By leading it to heights of glory.
(c) By giving it a wholly new outlook.
(d) None of these three.
Answer:
(c) By giving it a wholly new outlook.

Question 4.
Guru Gobind Singh was ……..
(a) a great soldier
(b) a great poet
(c) a true socialist
(d) any of these three.
Answer:
(d) any of these three.

Question 5.
The antonym of the word ‘disorderly’ is ……..
(a) ordered
(b) disorder
(c) orderly
(d) disordered.
Answer:
(c) orderly

Passage 5

True Friendship:

Everyone that flatters thee
Is no friend in misery.
Words are easy like the wind
Faithful friends are hard to find.

Every man will be thy friend,
Whilst thou hast wherewithal to spend.
But if store of crowns” be scant,

No man will supply thy want’.
He that is thy friend indeed,
He will help thee in thy need.
If thou sorrow, he will weep,
If thou wake, he cannot sleep.
Thus of every grief in heart,
He with thee doth bear a part.

These are certain signs to know,
Faithful friends from flattering foe. -William Shakespeare

Word-meanings : 1. flatter – चापलूसी करना, खुशामद करना; 2. thee, thou – तुम्हें, तुम; 3. easy like the wind – कुछ खर्च नहीं होता; 4. wherewithal – सम्पत्ति; 5. crowns – पुराने समय में ब्रिटेन में प्रचलित सिक्के; 6. scant – कम, थोड़ा; 7. want – ज़रूरत, आवश्यकता; 8. doth bear – लेता है; 9. foe – शत्रु।

Choose the correct option to answer each question :

Question 1.
What is this poem about ?
(a) About the love of money.
(b) About true friendship.
(c) About great leaders.
(d) About foolish persons.
Answer:
(b) About true friendship.

Question 2.
What does the poet say about flatterers ?
(a) He calls them friends.
(b) He calls them enemies.
(c) He calls them teachers.
(d) He calls them poets.
Answer:
(b) He calls them enemies.

Question 3.
When do people become our friends ?
(a) When we have the money to spend.
(b) When we have the time to spare.
(c) When we have the power to rule.
(d) When we have the wisdom to judge.
Answer:
(a) When we have the money to spend.

Question 4.
How will a true friend feel when we are in grief?
(a) He will feel a sense of relief.
(b) He will feel bored and disturbed.
(c) He will feel very indifferent.
(d) He will feel very unhappy.
Answer:
(d) He will feel very unhappy.

Question 5.
What distinction does the poet want us to understand ?
(a) The distinction between poverty and riches.
(b) The distinction between high and low.
(c) The distinction between friends and flatterers.
(d) The distinction between purity and impurity.
Answer:
(c) The distinction between friends and flatterers.

Passage 6

The Centipede

The little creature
with a hundred feet
was on its journey
to where

only it knew
My civilised foot
dressed in polished leather
came down upon it
ever so gently

there was only a soft sound
signifyings
the end
of a creature of God
my Maker.

I looked to see
if my sole was soiled?
and walked away.

word-meanings : 1. centipede – कनखजूरा ; 2. creature – जीव ; 3. civilised – सभ्य ; 4. polished leather – पॉलिश किए चमड़े के जूते ; 5. signifying – व्यक्त करते हुए ; 6. sole – तलवा ; 7. soiled – गन्दा होना।

Choose the correct option to answer each question :

Question 1.
What little creature does the poet talk of ?
(a) The scorpion.
(b) The wasp.
(c) The ringworm.
(d) The centipede.
Answer:
(d) The centipede.

Question 2.
Why does the poet call his foot civilised ?
(a) Because he was wearing polished shoes.
(b) Because his foot had crushed the little creature.
(c) Because his polished shoes had come down gently upon the little creature.
(d) None of the above.
Answer:
(c) Because his polished shoes had come down gently upon the little creature.

Question 3.
What kind of poem would you say this is ?
(a) Romantic.
(b) Satirical.
(c) Humorous.
(d) Religious.
Answer:
(b) Satirical.

Question 4.
What happened when the poet’s foot came down upon the little creature ?
(a) There was a soft sound.
(b) There was a loud sound.
(c) There was a sharp cry.
(d) There was no sound at all.
Answer:
(a) There was a soft sound.

PSEB 10th Class English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages

Question 5.
The poet walked away. What does this show ?
(a) He was full of repentance on what he had done.
(b) He was full of pity for the little creature.
(c) He was indifferent to what had happened.
(d) He was full of praise for God.
Answer:
(c) He was indifferent to what had happened.

Passage 7.

Who Loved The Best :
‘I Love you, mother,’ said little John;
Then, forgetting his work his cap went on,
And he was off to the garden swing?,
Leaving his mother, the wood to bring.
‘I love you, mother,’ said little Nell,
‘I love you better than tongue can tell.’
Then she teased and pouted half the day,
Till mother rejoiced when she went to play.
‘I love you, mother,’ said little Fan,

“To-day I’ll help you all I can’.
To the cradle then she did softly creep
And rocked the baby till it fell asleep.
Then stepping softly she took the broom
And swept floor and dusted the room.
Busy and happy all day was she,
Helpful and cheerful as child can be.
‘I love you, mother,’ again they said,
Three little children going to bed.
How do you think the mother guessed”,
Which of them really loved the best?

Word-meanings : 1. little – नन्हा; 2. swing— झूला; 3. pouted – मुंह फुला लिया; 4. rejoiced – बहुत खुश हो गई; 5. cradle – पालना; 6. cheerful- प्रसन्न guessed–अंदाज़ा लगाया

Choose the correct option to answer each question :

Question 1.
Who said, “I love you, mother’?
(a) John.
(b) Nell.
(c) Fan.
(d) All the three.
Answer:
(d) All the three.

Question 2.
Who had to bring the wood ?
(a) Mother.
(b) John
(c) Nell.
(d) Fan.
Answer:
(a) Mother.

Question 3.
Who was lying in the cradle ?
(a) John.
(b) Nell.
(c) Fan.
(d) None of these three.
Answer:
(d) None of these three.

Question 4.
Who was busy and happy all day ?
(a) Little John.
(b) Little Nell.
(c) Little Fan.
(d) The mother.
Answer:
(c) Little Fan.

Question 5.
Who do you think loved mother the best ?
(a) John.
(b) Nell.
(c) Fan
(d) None of these three.
Answer:
(c) Fan

Passage 8

The storm came on before its time,
She wandered? up and down;
And many a hill did Lucy climb;
But never reached the town.

The wretched parents all that night,
Went shouting far and wide;
But there was neither sound nor sight,
To serve them for a guide.

Word-meanings : 1. wandered — इधर-इधर भटकती रही; 2. wretched – दुःखी, शोक-संतप्त; 3. far and wide – दूर-दूर तक।

Choose the correct answer for each question :

Question 1.
When did the storm come ?
(a) Before its time.
(b) After its time.
(c) At midnight.
(d) Early in the morning.
Answer:
(a) Before its time.

Question 2.
Why did Lucy not reach the town?
(a) Because she didn’t want to travel in the storm.
(b) Because she didn’t want to leave her native place.
(c) Because she drowned in the river.
(d) Because she lost her way in the storm.
Answer:
(d) Because she lost her way in the storm.

Question 3.
What did the parents do?
(a) They went to the town.
(b) They searched for Lucy all night.
(c) They waited for her return from the town.
(d) They went to the police station for help.
Answer:
(b) They searched for Lucy all night.

Question 4.
She wandered ………..
(a) up and down
(b) here and there
(c) far and wide
(d) near and far.
Answer:
(a) up and down

PSEB 10th Class English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages

Question 5.
But there was …..
(a) neither heat nor light
(b) neither sound nor sight
(c) either heat or light
(d) either sound or sight.
Answer:
(b) neither sound nor sight

PSEB 11th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 24 The Union Executive-President, Vice-President, Council of Ministers and Prime Minister

Punjab State Board PSEB 11th Class Political Science Book Solutions Chapter 24 The Union Executive-President, Vice-President, Council of Ministers and Prime Minister Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.

PSEB Solutions for Class 11 Political Science Chapter 24 The Union Executive-President, Vice-President, Council of Ministers and Prime Minister

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Discuss the qualifications, mode of election and procedure for impeachment of the President of India.
Or
How is the President of India elected?
Answer:
Since India is a Republic, the President of India is elected by the people in an indirect manner for a fixed time. As to what method should be adopted for the election of the President, there was no unanimity of opinion in the Constituent Assembly. One suggestion was that the President should be directly elected by the people.

It will not only be in consonance with the democratic principles but it will also make the President the direct representative of the people. This proposal was rejected on the ground that such a method will unnecessarily convulse the nation, particularly when he was being made the nominal head of the State. The other proposal was that the President should be elected only by the members of the Union Parliament.

This proposal was equally rejected because in that case the President would become a puppet in the hands of the majority party. That would rob him of all his appearance of independence and dignity. In order to uphold the federal principle, it was finally agreed that the States should also be given a share in the election of the President.

Qualifications:
The Constitution prescribes the following qualifications for a presidential candidate-

  • He should be a citizen of India.
  • He must have completed the age of 35 years.
  • He must be qualified to be elected as a member of the Lok Sabha.
  • He must not hold any office of profit under the Government of India or any State Government or local authority.However, this provision is not applicable to a person who holds the office of the President, Vice-President, Governors and Ministers of the Central and State Government.
  • He cannot at the same time be a member of the Parliament or a member of State Legislature; his seat will be deemed to have been vacated on the date he assumes his office as President.
  • According to Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act, the candidate for the office of president must deposit Rs. 15,000 as security.
  • The name of the candidate for the office of President must be proposed by 50 electors and seconded by 50 electors.

Method of Election:
Following are the features of the election of the President of India-

1. President elected by an Electoral College:
The President of India is elected by an electoral college consisting of the elected members of the Lok Sabha, the elected members of the Rajya Sabha and the elected members of the State Legislative Assemblies.

2. System of Proportional Representation:
The election of the President is held in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote.

3. Uniformity of Representation:
According to the Constitution, as far as possible, there is to be maintained uniformity of representation of the different States at the presidential election and parity between the States as a whole and the Union. In other words, in the election of the President, the principle of ‘One member- One-vote’ had not been and could not be adopted. In different States different ratios prevail between the population and the number of legislators.

The Constituencies in the different States are unequal in the matter of population. For example, in one State it may be one representative for every 50,000 of the population while in another the proportion may be one to 75,000 or more. Thus since the States differ in their population, the strength of the elected members of the State Legislative Assemblies also differs. Then, the total strength of the elected members of the State Legislative Assemblies is far greater than that of the elected members of both the Houses of Parliament. That being so, the problem was to ensure that the votes cast will have a value in proportion to the population that the votes represented.

4. Procedure of determining the votes of the Members of the State Assembly:
Article 55(4) of the Constitution lays down the procedure of determining the votes of the member of the State Assembly, which is as follows:
PSEB 11th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 24 The Union Executive-President, Vice-President, Council of Ministers and Prime Minister 1
If the remainder is less than 500, it is ignored.
If it is more than 500, then the vote of each member shall be further increased by one.
For example, in 2017 population of Punjab was 27,704,236 and the Legislative Assembly of Punjab consists of 117 members. Hence each member was entitled to cast 237 votes:
PSEB 11th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 24 The Union Executive-President, Vice-President, Council of Ministers and Prime Minister 2
5. Procedure of determining the votes of the Members of the Parliament:
The Constitution lays down the following procedure of determining the votes of the member of Parliament.
PSEB 11th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 24 The Union Executive-President, Vice-President, Council of Ministers and Prime Minister 3
Fraction exceeding one-half being counted as one. Let us explain this formula also by taking an example. Suppose the total number of votes assigned to the elected members of all the State Legislative Assemblies is 424856 and the total strength of elected members of the Parliament is 705. Now to obtain the number of votes which elected member of the Parliament will have at the election of the President:
PSEB 11th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 24 The Union Executive-President, Vice-President, Council of Ministers and Prime Minister 4
In the presidential election in July 2017, the number of votes of each member of the Parliament entitled to vote was 708.
Total votes of the elected member of State Assemblies = 5,49,495
No. of elected members of the Parliament = 776 (Lok Sabha 543 + Rajya Sabha 233)
No. of votes of each member of the Parliament = \(\frac {5,49,495 }{776}\) = 708
Total votes of the members of the Parliament = 708 x 776 = 5,49,408
Total votes of the electoral college = 5,49,495 + 5,49,408 = 10,98,903

6. Vacant Seats in Electoral College:
The President of India, as said, is elected by an electoral college. Now the question arises if the electoral college is not complete, how to proceed with the election of the President. Our Constitution was not clear on this point. To remove this flaw 11th Amendment (1961) was made in the Constitution.
According to this amendment, the election of the President or the Vice-President cannot be challenged on the ground of any vacancy in the electoral college for whatever reason among the members of the electoral college electing him.

7. Method of Fixing the Quota:
Under the system of Proportional Representation a candidate to be elected, must secure the necessary quota of votes. The quota is determined by the following formula:
PSEB 11th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 24 The Union Executive-President, Vice-President, Council of Ministers and Prime Minister 5
Suppose the total number of valid votes polled at the presidential election is 8,00,000. Applying the above-mentioned formula, the quota shall be:
\(\frac {800000}{1+1}\) + 1 = 4,00,001
In order to be elected, the candidate must secure 4,00,001 votes-an absolute majority of votes. If the first counting does not give any candidate the quota of votes, the candidate who got the least number of votes is eliminated and his votes transferred to the remaining candidates on the basis of the preferences shown. The process is repeated until one candidate gets the requisite number of votes. Let us explain the system in detail.

Assuming that there are four candidates and the total number of valid votes cast are 15,000.
To be declared elected President, a candidate must secure a minimum of 7501 votes. Now suppose the first preference votes secured by the four candidates are as follows:
A—5250
B—4800
C—2700
D—2250
Since the candidate D gets the least number of votes, hence he is eliminated. Now the second preference votes on his 2250 ballot papers shall be counted.
Suppose A gets 300, B gets 1050 and C gets 900.

Now the total votes of A are 5250 + 300 = 5550, of B are 4800 + 1050 = 5800 and of C are 2700 + 900 = 3600. It means even now no candidate is securing the requisite quota of 7501 votes.

Now candidate C shall be eliminated because he got the least number of votes. Now third preference votes on the 3600 votes of C shall be counted. In the third preference suppose A gets 1700 and B gets 1900.
Now the total votes of A are 5550 + 1700 = 7250
Total votes of B are = 5850 + 1900 = 7750

According to the Proportional Representation system, B shall be declared President. The system proves the doctrine that candidate B is preferred by a numerically large number of electors than candidate A. It may be recalled that the election of Mr. V. V. Giri was decided in the Second Count. “It made the people realise the significance of the system of proportional represenataion by means of single transferable vote.”

So far fifteen presidential elections have been held in India:

  1. First election was held in 1952 and Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected.
  2. Second election was held in 1957 and again Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected.
  3. Third election was held in 1962 and Dr. Radhakrishnan was elected.
  4. Fourth election was held in 1967 and Dr. Zakin Hussain was elected.
  5. Fifth election was held in 1969 and Shri V. V. Giri was elected.
  6. Sixth election was held in 1974 and Shri Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed was elected.
  7. In July, 1977, for the first time, Shri Sanjiva Reddy was nominated by a consensus of all paries and was elected unopposed.
  8. Eighth election was held in July, 1982 and Congress (I) candidate Giani Zail Singh was elected and opposition candidiate Justice Khanna was defeated.
  9. Ninth Presidential election was held in July, 1987 and Congress (I) candidate R. Venkataraman was elected and opposition candidate Justice V. R. Krishna Iyer was defeated.
  10. Tenth Presidential election was held in July, 1992 and Congress (I) candidate Dr. Shankar Dyal Sharma was elected and opposition candidate was defeated.
  11. Eleventh Presidential election was held in July 1997. Joint candidate of United Front and Congress Mr. K. R. Narayanan supported by BJP and others was elected and Mr. T. N. Seshan was defeated. Mr. K. R. Narayanan secured 94.97 per cent of the votes.
  12. Twelfth Presidential election was held in July, 2002. Joint candidate of rulling National Democratic Alliance Dr. A.P. J. Abdul Kalam supported by Indian National Congress, Bahujan Samaj Party, Samajvadi Party, Janata Dal and others was elected and Capt. Lakshmi Sahgal, the opposition candidate supported by Communist Parties was defeated.
  13. 13th Presidential election was held in July 2007, joint candidate of United Progressive Alliance Mrs. Pratibha Devi Singh Patil was elected and Independent Candidate Mr. Bhairon Singh Shekhawat was defeated.
  14. 14th Presidential election was held in July 2012. Candidate of UPA and Supported by S.P., B.S.P., Janata Dal (U) and Shiv Seva, Mr. Pranab Mukherjee was elected and independent candidate Mr. P.A. Sangma was defeated.
  15. 15th Presidential election was held in July 2017. Candidate of N.D.A. Sh. Ram Nath Kovind was elected and U.P.A. candidate Smt. Meera Kumar was defeated.

The election of the President is conducted by the Chief Election Commissioner. He issues the notification and fixes dates for nomination, scrutiny of nomination and withdrawal of candidature. Only those eligible to vote in the election of the President, i.e. elected members of Parliament and elected members of the State Legislative Assemblies can propose a candidate for election. The Chief Election Commissioner counts the votes cast and declares the result.

The validity of the election of the President can be challenged by the electors only. The election of the President can be challenged only after the completion of the election, i.e., after a candidate is declared to be elected to the office of the President. If a petition is allowed before such election, it would involve the non-compliance with the mandatory provisions of Art. 62 which says that an election to fill a vacancy caused by the expiration of the term of the office of the President shall be completed before the expiration of the term.

Oath of the President:
Before entering upon his office, the President elected or any person acting as President for discharging the functions of President, is required to take an oath in the presence of the Chief Justice, or in his absence, the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court available.

Tenure:
The President is elected for a period of five years. The period of five years begins from the day he enters upon his office. The President is eligible for re-election.

Removal by Impeachment:
The President can be removed from office by impeachment only. The Constitution lays down a detailed procedure for the impeachment of the President. He can be impeached “for violation of the Constitution”.

When a President is to be impeached for the violation of the Constitution, the charges can be prepared by either House of the Parliament. In other words, the impeachment charged may be initiated by the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha. (in the United States of America, this right belongs exclusively to the Lower House, i.e., the House of Representatives). But no such charge is to be preferred unless the proposal to prefer such a charge is contained in a resolution which has been moved after at least 14 days’ notice in writing signed by not less than one-fourth of the total number of members of the House.

The resolution must be passed by a two-third majority of the total membership of the House. If passed by the requisite majority in one house, it is sent to the other House for investigation. The other House is empowered to entrust this job of investigation to a court or tribunal.

However, the resolution had got to be passed by the other house by a two-third majority of the total membership of this House. If the other House also passes the resolution by a two-third majority of the total membership of this House, then it means the charge is proved and the President is removed from his office from the ‘date’ (word ‘time has not been used’) on which the investigating House passes the resolution.

However, the President has the right to be heard and defended when the charges against him are being investigated. He may defend himself in person or through his council. One thing to be noted here is that there is no provision for suspension of the President under impeachment. He continues to hold his office during the period of investigation.

Salary and Allowances:
The President of India gets a salary of Rs. 5,00,000 per month and an official residence (called Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi) free of rent. In addition to the salary, the President also gets handsome allowances of various kinds as determined by Parliament. According to the President’s Pension Act, a person who ceases to hold office as President, either by expiration of his term of office or by resignation, is entitled to a monthly pension of Rs. 2,50,000. The Government may also allow him a free medical aid as was done in the case of Dr. Rajendra Prasad.

The salary and other allowances of the President are charged on the Consolidated Fund of India. According to Art. 59 (4), the emoluments and allowances of the President shall not be diminished during his term of office.

PSEB 11th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 24 The Union Executive-President, Vice-President, Council of Ministers and Prime Minister

Question 2.
Describe the powers of the President of India
Or
Discuss the executive and judicial powers of the President.
Or
Explain the powers of the President of India other than emergency powers.
Answer:
The Constitution of India establishes a federal form of government.
According to Art. 53, the executive powers of the Union have been vested in the President which shall be exercised by him directly or through officers subordinate to him in accordance with the Constitution. However, India being a parliamentary form of government, the President is only a nominal head and the working executive is the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister.
The powers of the President can be divided into two categories-
(A) Powers in normal times and
(B) Emergency powers.

(A) POWERS IN NORMAL TIMES:
During normal times the President exercises four types of powers:
1. Executive Powers
2. Legislative Powers
3. Financial Powers
4. Judicial Powers.

1. Executive Powers:
The President is the Chief Executive or Head of the State. According to Art. 53 (1) of the Constitution, the executive powers of the Union have been vested in the President. He may exercise these powers himself or get them exercised through officers subordinate to him.

(i) Appointments:
The President is authorised to make a number of appointments. He appoints the Prime Minister and the other Ministers on the advice of the Prime Minister, the Attorney General, the Comptroller and the Auditor General, Judges of the Supreme Court and the High Courts, the Chairman and Members of Joint Public Service Commission, the Chairman and members of Joint Public Service Commission, the Election Commission, Finance Commission, the Official

Language Commission and Commission for the Scheduled Castes, Tribes, Backward Classes, etc. He also appoints the State Governors, Lt. Governors and Chief Commissioners of the Union Territories. He also sends and receives diplomatic representatives. He makes rule for the convenient transaction of business of the Government of India and allocates this business among the Ministers. Under Art. 78, the Prime Minister is bound to communicate to the President all decisions of the Cabinet relating to administration and such proposals for legislation as the President may call for.

(ii) Military Powers:
The President is the Supreme Commander of the Defence Forces, but the exercise of military powers of the President is regulated by the Parliament. The President cannot declare war or deploy forces without the sanction of the Parliament or in anticipation of the sanction by the Parliament.

(iii) Power Relating to Foreign Affairs:
The President has extensive diplomatic powers. He represents his country in international affairs. He appoints Indian representatives to foreign countries and also receives diplomatic representatives of other States which have been recognised by Parliament.

(iv) Power of Direction, Control and Co-ordination:
The President has the power of direction, control and co-ordination of the work in the States. He can issue directions to the States for the compliance of Union laws. In particular, he can direct a State or States to construct and maintain communications of national or military importance and for the protection of railways. He can establish an Inter-State council to advise him upon co-ordination of policy and settlement of disputes between the States.

(v) Administration of Union Territories:
Art. 239 provides that every Union Territory shall be administered by the President acting through an administrator. The administrator, given any designation by the President, is appointed by the President. The President may appoint the Governor of a State as the administrator of an adjoining Union Territory. When the Governor is discharging the duties of the administrator he shall exercise his functions as administrator independently of his Council of Ministers.

The Parliament by law can establish democratic institutions in the Union Territories. The President can make regulations for the peace, progress and good government of the Union Territory of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Laccadive, Minicoy and Amindivi Islands. The regulations made by the President have the same effect as an act of Parliament. The President is also competent to repeal or amend, through such regulations, any existing Act dealing with the administration of these Islands.

(vi) Informative Powers:
The President had a right to ask for information with regard to the decision of the Council of Ministers. The Prime Minister is required to keep in touch with the President for this purpose.

(vii) Sending back the decision of the Council of Ministers for reconsideration:
Under 44th amendment the President is empowered to send back the decision of the Council of Ministers for reconsideration, but if the council of Ministers repeats the decision, then the President is bound to accept the decision.

(viii)Link between the Centre and States:
The President is the link between the centre and the states. He is the executive head both of the union and of the federation.

2. Legislative Powers:
The President enjoys many legislative powers. He is a part of the Parliament. Besides the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, the President is also a part of the Parliament. The legislative powers of the President are provided by Article 123.

(i) Power to Summon:
Prorogue and Dissolve the Parliament. The President can convene, prorogue and dissolve the Parliament. He can order fresh elections to the Lok Sabha on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. He must call the session of the Parliament within 6 months.

(ii) Address to the Parliament:
He can address the two Houses of the Parliament jointly or he may address them independently. The first session of the Parliament after the General elections is inaugurated by the President. He also addresses the first session of the Parliament every year. In his address the President explains the policy of the Government to the House.

(iii) Nominates the Members of the Parliament:
He nominates 12 persons to the Rajya Sabha. These persons must have distinguished themselves in the fields of art, literature, science and social service. He can nominate two persons of the Anglo-Indian community to the Lok Sabha if he feels that the community has not got adequate representation.

(iv) Assent on Bills:
No bill passed by the Parliament can become an Act without the assent of the President. He can reject an ordinary bill only once and when passed for the second time, the President is to give his assent.

(v) He gives approval to many bills passed by the State Legislatures.

(vi) Joint Session:
He can call a joint session of the two Houses of the Parliament. If the two Chambers differ on an ordinary bill, only then he calls a joint session.

(vii) Power to Send Messages: He can send messages to any House from time to time.

(viii)Ordinance:
During the intervals of the sessions of the Parliament he can issue ordinances. These ordinances have the force of laws. The ordinance is put before the Parliament as soon as it meets. The Parliament has the authority to reject the ordinance. It can be withdrawn by the President also. If it is neither rejected by the Parliament nor withdrawn by the President, it will automatically end six weeks after the first meeting of the Parliament. On Sept. 22, 1980 the President promulgated the National Security Ordinance to enable the government to detain any person to prevent him from acting against the defence or security of the country.

(ix) Constitutional Amendment Bill:
A Constitutional Amendment Bill is finally sent to the President for his assent. The President is bound to give his assent to the Constitutional Amendment Bilk

3. Financial Powers:
The financial powers of the President as mentioned in the Constitution are as follows:

(i) It is the duty of the President to place the Budget for the current year before the Parliament. It is to be presented before the beginning of the financial year. Normally the budget is presented to the Parliament by the Finance Minister on behalf of the President.

(ii) Money Bills can only be introduced in the Parliament on the recommendation of the President.

(iii) The President has full control over the contingency fund and he can spend it according to his sweet will.

(iv) He distributes the share of income tax among the States.

(v) He appoints Finance Commission. 15th Finance Commission was appointed on 27 Nov.- 2017 in the Chairmanship of Sh.N.K. Singh.

4. Judicial Powers:
The President has some judicial power also. It is provided by Article 122 of the Constitution.

  • The President appoints the judges and the chief justice to the Supreme Court and the State High Courts.
  • The President cannot be sured in any court of India in connection with any matter concerning his office.
  • He has the power to pardon, reprieve and commute punishment.

(B) EMERGENCY POWERS
Besides powers in normal times the President of India has Emergency Powers as well. The President enjoys three types of emergency powers:
1. Emergency due to external aggression or armed rebellion.
2. Emergency arising out of failure of the constitutional machinery a State.
3. Financial emergency.

For detailed study of Emergency Powers:
1. Emergency arising out of external aggression or Armed Rebellion:
According to Art. 352 if the President is satisfied that a grave emergency exists whereby the security of India or any part of India is threatened by war, external aggression or armed rebellion, he may proclaim a state of emergency. Under 59th amendment in Punjab emergency can be declared on the ground of internal disturbances. The President can declare emergency even before the actual occurrence of war, external aggression or armed rebellion.

But in the 44th Amendment it is provided that the President shall not issue a proclamation of Emergency unless the decision of the Cabinet that such a proclamation may be issued has been communicated to him in writing. According to 42nd Amendment, President can declare emergency in the whole of India or in such part of the territory there of as may be specified in the proclamation. Such a Proclamation may be revoked by a consequent proclamation. If the proclamation has not been approved within one month by both the Houses of Parliament by two-thirds of the majority of the members present and voting, it will become ineffective. If such a

proclamation is issued at a time when the Lok Sabha has been dissolved or the dissolution of the Lok Sabha takes place during the period of one month, and if the Rajya Sabha has approved the proclamation within one month, but it had not been approved by the Lok Sabha, the proclamation shall cease to operate at the expiration of 30 days from the date on which the Lok Sabha sits after its reconstitution. However, if within 30 days the Lok Sabha approves the proclamation, it continues.

After approval of the Parliament emergency continues till the President revokes it by a subsequent proclamation. But it is provided in the 44th Amendment that for the continuance of the emergency, approval by resolution of both Houses would be required every six months. Provision is also made in the 44th Amendment that the proclamation of Emergency would cease to be opeative whenever a resolution to that effect is adopted by the Lok Sabha by a simple majority of the members of the House present and voting.

Ever since the operation of the Constitution (Jan. 26, 1950), such an emergency has been declared three times. First, when India was attacked by China in October, 1962 and second when all of a sudden, Pakistan attacked India on December 3, 1971. Third time internal emergency was declared on 26th June, 1975 and this emergency was-removed on 21st March, 1977 whereas external emergency declared in 1971 was lifted on 27th March, 1977.

Effects of this Proclamation:
1. The most significant effect of this proclamation is that the federal form of the Constitution is converted into unitary form of government. The authority of the Centre is increased till the emergency lasts. It should be remembered the State Governments do not cease to function. They continue, to function as before under normal conditions. But the Centre gets the authority to give directions to the States as the manner in which the executive power of the States is to be exercised. The legislative power of the Centre is also widened.

2. Parliament will have the power to make laws for the whole or part of India with respect to any of the matters given in the State List. Laws so made by Parliament shall cease to operate six months after the Proclamation of Emergency has come to an end.

3. The President, may by an order, modify the provisions relating to distribution of revenues between the Union and the States.

4. The Fundamental Rights given under Art. 19 (six freedoms) are automatically suspended throughout the country. The suspension of Art. 19 continues until the proclamation of emergency ends. However, under 59th Amendment this right can be suspended when emergency is declared in Punjab.

5. The President by order can also suspend the right to move the courts to enforce any Fundamental Rights. All proceedings pending in any court for the enforcement of the rights so mentioned may remain suspended for the period during which Proclamation is in force or for such short period as may be specified in the order. But according to 44th Amendmenl the enforcement of the right to life and personal liberty under Article 21 cannot be suspended. The order so made may extend to the whole or to any part of the territory of India. However, the order of the

parliament is required to be laid before each House of Parliament “as soon as may be after it is made.” And what is the definition of ‘as soon as may be’, the constitution does not fix any time limit for the order to be laid before Parliament.

2. Emergency arising out of the failure of constitutional machinery in a State. (Art. 356):
The second type of emergncy powers given to the President deal with the failure of constitutional machinery in the State. If the President, either on the receipt of a report from the Governor of a State or otherwise, is satisfied that a situation has arisen in which the Government of the State cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, the President can proclaim emergency in that state.

In May, 1994, the Supreme Court had declared that dismissal of a state government by the President under Article 356 of the Constitution is open to judicial scrutiny. The apex Court had held that presidential proclamation under Article 356 could be challenged only on the ground that the exercise of power was malafide or based on wholly extraneous and irrelevant grounds.

Any proclamation made under Art. 356 may be revoked or varied by a subsequent Proclamation. The Proclamation issued by the President is required to be laid before each House of Parliament and it ceases to operate after the expiry of two months unless before the expiration of that period it has been approved by resolutions of both Houses of Parliament. If approved by Parliament, the Proclamation, remains in force for six months after the parliamentary approval. The duration of the proclamation can be extended for six months at a time and the maximum period is one year.

According to 44th Amendment, a resolution with respect to the continuance in force of a Proclamation under the article for any period beyond the expiration of one year from the date of issue of such proclamation shall not be passed by either House of Parliament unless a Proclamation of Emergency is in operation at the time of the passing of such resolution and the Election Commission certifies that the continuance in force of the proclamation under the Article during the period specified in such resolution is necessary on account of difficulties in holding elections to the Legislative Assembly of the State concerned.

Under 59th Amendment in Punjab President’s rule can be extended up-to three years. Under 64th Amendment President’s rule in Punjab was extended six months more beyond three years. By 68th amendment President’s rule in Punjab can be extended up-to 5 years.

Effects of this Proclamation:
(i) The President can assume to himself all or any of the functions of the State or he may vest all or any of those functions in the Governor or any other executive authority.

(ii) The President can suspend or dissolve the State Legislative Assembly. He may declare that the powers of the State Legislature shall be exercisable by or under the authority of Parliament. However, Parliament will be competent to confer that power on the President and also authorise him to delegate those powers to anybody he thinks fit. .

(iii) The President can make any other incidental or consequential provisions necessary to give effect to the object of the Proclamation.

(iv) If the Lok Sabha is not in session then the President sanctions the expenditure from the consolidated fund of the State.

President’s rule has been promulgated almost 121 times in states since the enforcement of the Constitution. Almost all the States have been, at one time or the other, been put under President’s Rule.

3. Financial Emergency (Art. 360):
If the President is satisfied that a situation has arisen whereby the financial stability or credit of India or any part of it is threatened, he may declare a Financial Emergency under Art. 360 of the Constitution. Such a Proclamation may be revoked by a subsequent Proclamation. The proclamation has to be laid before each House of Parliament.

It ceases to operate at the expiration of two months unless it is approved earlier by a resolution of both Houses of Parliament. The Proclamation in this case also should be approved by Parliament as in the other two cases of emergency. Like the Proclamation of war-emergency, Financial Emergency also continues for an indefinite period. Fortunately, this kind of Emergency has not been declared so far.

Effects of this Proclamation:
(i) During the Financial emergency, the executive authority of the union shall extend to the giving of directions to any State to observe such canons of financial property as may be specified in the direction or any other directions which the President may deem necessary for this purpose.

(ii) The President can ask a State to reduce salaries and allowances of all or any class of public servants connected with the affairs of a State.

(iii) The President can give direction to a State to reserve all Money Bills for the consideration of the President after they have been passed by the State Legislature.

(iv) The President shall be competent to issue directions for the reduction of salaries and allowances of all or any class of persons serving in connection with the affairs of the Union including the judges of the Supreme Court and the High Courts.

Criticism:
Evidently the Constitution gives the President very drastic powers to deal with Emergency. Emergency powers of the President were criticised within and outside the Constituent Assembly. It has been said that these powers are not compatible with democracy. When the provisions relating to Emergency powers were passed, Sh. H. V. Kamath, member of the Constituent Assembly, declared, “ It is a day of shame and sorrow, God save the Indian people.”

Sh. K. T. Shah described Article 359, which empowers the President to suspend the right to seek enforcement of fundamental rights “as the grand final and crowning glory of this chapter of reaction and retrogression.” The power to abrogate fundamental rights of citizens during Emergencies can easily be abused for depriving the people of their liberty and imposing a totalitarian rule on the country.

According to H. V. Kamath, “ There is no parallel to the chapter of Emergency in any Constitution of democratic countries of the world”. He further said,, “I fear that by the single chapter we are seeking to lay the foundation of a totalitarian State, a police State, State completely opposed to all the ideas and principles that we have held aloft during the last few decades, a State where the rights and liberties of millions of innocent men and women will be in continuous jeopardy, a State where if there be peace it will be the peace of the grave and the void of the desert. I only pray to God that He may grant us wisdom, wisdom to avert any such catastrophe, grant us fortitude and courage.”

Another point of criticism is that during Emergency federal structure is changed into unitary one. T. T. Krishnamachari said, “The Constitution of India is designed to work as a federal system in normal times and as a unitary system in war and other emergencies.” Moreover, ruling party at the Centre by using Article 356 can declare President’s rule in a particular State simply because some other party is ruling the State. Article 356 was misused when nine state governments were dismissed on 30th April 1977 and in Feb 1980.

Justification of Emergency Powers. Emergency powers of the President are defended on the ground that Strong Centre is needed for security of the country. V. N. Shukla writes, “ These provisions may appear to be harsh, particularly in a constitution which professes to be built upon an edifice of fundamental rights and democracy. But the provisions may be studied in the light of India’s past history. India has had her inglorious days whenever the Central power was weak.

It is well that the Constitution guards against the forces of disintegration. Events may take place threatening the very existence of the State, together with all that is desired to remain basic and immutable will be swept away.” Country’s security is more important than the federal system. In the words of Dr. Ambedkar, “ It is only the Centre which can work for the common purpose and for the general interest of the country as a whole. Herein lies the justification of giving to the Centre overriding power to be used in the Emergency.”

It is not possible for the President to become a dictator. In India there exists a parliamentary form of Government. The essence of parliamentary form of Government is that the Head of the State is a nominal head. It is the Council of Ministers which is the real executive.

According to 44th Amendment, an Emergency can be proclaimed only on the basis of written advice tendered by the cabinet. In addition a Proclamation of Emergency must be approved by the two Houses of parliament by two-thirds majority within a period of one month.

As a further check against the misuse of the emergency powers and to put the right to life and liberty on a secure footing, it is provided in 44th Amendment Act that the power to suspend the right to move the court for the enforcement of a fundamental right cannot be exercised in respect of the fundamental right to life and liberty.

According to 44th Amendment the provisions of Article 19 will become suspended only in the case of a proclamation of Emergency issued on the ground of war or external aggression and not in the case of a Proclamation of Emergency issued on the ground of armed rebellion. Moreover, if the President tries to become a despot, he will be impeached by the Parliament.

There is no question of autocracy under any circumstances. Only State autonomy may suffer temporarily.” Sh. Amar Nandi rightly remarked that the power conferred on the central executive to meet national emergencies is, so as to say, a loaded gun which can be used both to protect and to destroy the liberty of citizens. The gun must be used, therefore, with extreme caution.

Position of the President:
What exactly is the position of the President in the Indian Constitution? Different writers have taken different and sometimes radical views. A lay man who reads the provisions of the Constitution may literally interpret them and come to the conclusion that he has been armed with drastic powers. His Emergency Power “is a bottomless well of dictatorial possibilities”. Under Art. 53 of the Constitution,
“The Executive power of the Union shall be vested in the President and shall be exercised by him either directly or through officers subordinate to him in accordance with the Constitution.”

It means the President can use the executive powers himself. Under Art. 74 of the Constitution there shall be a Council of Ministers to aid and advise the President in the exercise of his functions. But nowhere it had been stated that the President shall be bound to act in accordance with the advice of the Council of Ministers. Then, the President of India can dissolve Parliament, issue ordinances, declare emergency and can take into his hands the administration of the whole of the country. Being the Supreme Commander of all the forces he can establish his personal rule with the help of the armed forces of the country.

But this is a legal view. And the fact is a legal truth, may be a political untruth. In India, there exists parliamentary form of government. The essence of the parliamentary form of government is that the Head of the State is a titular head, a constitutional head. His powers are formal. It is the Council of Ministers which is the real functionary.

By 42nd amendment even legal position of the President has changed. Under this amendment he was bound to accept the advice of the Council of Ministers. But according to 44th Amendment the President may require the Council of Ministers to reconsider any advice tendered by them and that the President shall act in accordance with the advice tendered after such reconsideration, Thus, the critics argue that the position of the Indian President is one of honour and dignity but not of power.

Commenting upon the position of the President, Dr. Ambedkar had himself said in the Constituent Assembly: “The President occupies the same position as the King under the British Constitution. He is the head of the State but not of the Executive. He represents the nation but does not rule the nation.” To quote him again: “The President of the Indian Union will be generally bound by the advice of ministers.

He can do nothing contrary to their advice nor can he do anything without their advice.” According to late Pt. Nehru, “We have not given our President any real power but we have made his position one of great authority and dignity’. Expressing his views on the position of the President, Sh. Morarji Desai said, “It is wrong to think that our President is vested with any real power of rulership; in normal times he has none, under the Constitution he is merely a constitutional head, very much like the British King.”

However, all the critics do not subscribe to the view that the President under the Constitution is only a figure head. These critics draw our attention to the Weimar Constitution of Germany. The Weimar Constitution was based on thoroughly democratic lines. Yet it gave rise to a dictator, Hitler who trampled under his feet all the democratic principles of the Constitution. Similarly, Dr. Ambedkar himself used the words “ generally bound”. It shows that the President is not a rubber stamp, he is not a puppet in the hands of the Council of Ministers.

The Constitution allows him opportunities when he can use his discretion. For example, he can use his discretion in the appointment of the Prime Minister when no political party gets absolute majority in the Lok Sabha. After all, the President is a promoted politician. As Jennings has said, “He cannot be expected to play the same role of impartiality as is expected from the British Monarch.”

Under Art. 78 of the Constitution, it shall be the duty of the Prime Minister to communicate to the President all decisions of the Council of Ministers relating to the administration of the affairs of the Union and proposals for legislation, to furnish such information ralting to the administration to the affairs of the Union and proposals for legislation as the President may call for Under Art. Ill the President can use his veto power also.

His emergency powers are so sweeping that, as H. V. Kamath feared, he can lay the foundation of a totalitarian State, a police State…. In his address delivered on the occasion of the laying of the foundation stone of the Indian Law Institute, New Delhi in November, 1960, President Rajendra Prasad urged the Institute to make a study of the powers and functions of the President and find out to what extent they differed from those of the King of England.

He was doubtful that the position of the President is like the position of the British Monarch. He clearly pointed out that because the conditions in India were different from those in England, “ It may not be desirable to treat ourselves so strictly bound by the interpretations which have been given from time to time to expressions in England.”

His successor Dr. Radhakrishnan also expressed publicly similar views. While speaking in the civic reception at Kanpur, he said, “Jpdia was suffering because sufficient care had not been taken to explain our position abroad.” Dr. Radhakrishnan was criticising the foreign policy of the country. At the time of the assumption of his office the President has to take the oath to protect, preserve and defend the Constitution and to devote himself to the service and well-being of the people of India. No wonder, he may veto a Bill which in spirit, runs counter to the Directive Principles of State Policy.

Conclusion:
The conclusion is clear. The President is not a rubber-stamp under the Constitution. Accroding to B. Shiva Rao, the President is more than a figure-head. Even President Giri agreed to this view when he said that the country needed a “really independent and strong President who could see things straight and do justice well without fear or favour.” In his election campaign he clearly said, “If elected he would not be a sleeping partner, nor a rubber stamp

He would be an active partner within the four walls of the Constituion.” Thus, a fairly large section of the educated public opinion in the country feels that the president has a share in the actual government of the country. Even Dr. Radhakrishnan on the the day of his retirement indirectly hinted on such a role of the President when he said, “The President symbolizes national purpose and national unity and can be a great influence for stability and progress.”

The real position of the President depends upon his relationship with the Council of Ministers and, to a great extent, upon his personality. It he is a man of dynamic personality, he will have an edge over the Council of Ministers.

PSEB 11th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 24 The Union Executive-President, Vice-President, Council of Ministers and Prime Minister

Question 3.
Explain emergency powers of the President.
Or
Discuss the emergency powers of the President of India. Do you agree with the view that the President can become a dictator by exercising them?
Answer:
Besides powers in normal times the President of India has Emergency Powers as well. The President can use the emergency powers even when there is the likelihood of an emergency.
1. Emergency due to external aggression or armed rebellion.
2. Emergency arising out of the failure of the constitutional machinery in the States.
3. Financial emergency.

1. Emergency arising out of external aggression or Armed Rebellion:
According to Art. 352 if the President is satisfied that a grave emergency exists whereby the security of India or any part of India is threatened by war, external aggression or armed rebellion, he may proclaim a state of emergency. Under 59th amendment in Punjab emergency can be declared on the ground of internal disturbances. The President can declare emergency even before the actual occurrence of war, external aggression or armed rebellion.

But in the 44th Amendment it is provided that the President shall not issue a proclamation of Emergency unless the decision of the Cabinet that such a proclamation may be issued has been communicated to him in writing. According to 42nd Amendment, President can declare emergency in the whole of India or in such part of the territory there of as may be specified in the proclamation. Such a Proclamation may be revoked by a consequent proclamation. If the proclamation has not been approved within one month by both the Houses of Parliament by two-thirds of the majority of the members present and voting, it will become ineffective. If such a

proclamation is issued at a time when the Lok Sabha has been dissolved or the dissolution of the Lok Sabha takes place during the period of one month, and if the Rajya Sabha has approved the proclamation within one month, but it had not been approved by the Lok Sabha, the proclamation shall cease to operate at the expiration of 30 days from the date on which the Lok Sabha sits after its reconstitution. However, if within 30 days the Lok Sabha approves the proclamation, it continues.

After approval of the Parliament emergency continues till the President revokes it by a subsequent proclamation. But it is provided in the 44th Amendment that for the continuance of the emergency, approval by resolution of both Houses would be required every six months. Provision is also made in the 44th Amendment that the proclamation of Emergency would cease to be operative whenever a resolution to that effect is adopted by the Lok Sabha by a simple majority of the members of the House present and voting.

Ever since the operation of the Constitution (Jan. 26, 1950), such an emergency has been declared three times. First, when India was attacked by China in October, 1962 and second when all of a sudden, Pakistan attacked India on December 3, 1971. Third time internal emergency was declared on 26th June, 1975 and this emergency was-removed on 21st March, 1977 whereas external emergency declared in 1971 was lifted on 27th March, 1977.

Effects of this Proclamation:
1. The most significant effect of this proclamation is that the federal form of the Constitution is converted into unitary form of government. The authority of the Center is increased till the emergency lasts. It should be remembered the State Governments do not cease to function. They continue, to function as before under normal conditions. But the Center gets the authority to give directions to the States as the manner in which the executive power of the States is to be exercised. The legislative power of the Center is also widened.

2. Parliament will have the power to make laws for the whole or part of India with respect to any of the matters given in the State List. Laws so made by Parliament shall cease to operate six months after the Proclamation of Emergency has come to an end.

3. The President, may by an order, modify the provisions relating to distribution of revenues between the Union and the States.

4. The Fundamental Rights given under Art. 19 (six freedoms) are automatically suspended throughout the country. The suspension of Art. 19 continues until the proclamation of emergency ends. However, under 59th Amendment this right can be suspended when emergency is declared in Punjab.

5. The President by order can also suspend the right to move the courts to enforce any Fundamental Rights. All proceedings pending in any court for the enforcement of the rights so mentioned may remain suspended for the period during which Proclamation is in force or for such short period as may be specified in the order. But according to 44th Amendmenl the enforcement of the right to life and personal liberty under Article 21 cannot be suspended. The order so made may extend to the whole or to any part of the territory of India. However, the order of the

parliament is required to be laid before each House of Parliament “as soon as may be after it is made.” And what is the definition of ‘as soon as may be’, the constitution does not fix any time limit for the order to be laid before Parliament.

2. Emergency arising out of the failure of constitutional machinery in a State. (Art. 356):
The second type of emergency powers given to the President deal with the failure of constitutional machinery in the State. If the President, either on the receipt of a report from the Governor of a State or otherwise, is satisfied that a situation has arisen in which the Government of the State cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, the President can proclaim emergency in that state.

In May, 1994, the Supreme Court had declared that dismissal of a state government by the President under Article 356 of the Constitution is open to judicial scrutiny. The apex Court had held that presidential proclamation under Article 356 could be challenged only on the ground that the exercise of power was malafide or based on wholly extraneous and irrelevant grounds.

Any proclamation made under Art. 356 may be revoked or varied by a subsequent Proclamation. The Proclamation issued by the President is required to be laid before each House of Parliament and it ceases to operate after the expiry of two months unless before the expiration of that period it has been approved by resolutions of both Houses of Parliament. If approved by Parliament, the Proclamation, remains in force for six months after the parliamentary approval. The duration of the proclamation can be extended for six months at a time and the maximum period is one year.

According to 44th Amendment, a resolution with respect to the continuance in force of a Proclamation under the article for any period beyond the expiration of one year from the date of issue of such proclamation shall not be passed by either House of Parliament unless a Proclamation of Emergency is in operation at the time of the passing of such resolution and the Election Commission certifies that the continuance in force of the proclamation under the Article during the period specified in such resolution is necessary on account of difficulties in holding elections to the Legislative Assembly of the State concerned.

Under 59th Amendment in Punjab President’s rule can be extended upto three years. Under 64th Amendment President’s rule in Punjab was extended six months more beyond three years. By 68th amendment President’s rule in Punjab can be extended up-to 5 years.

Effects of this Proclamation:
(i) The President can assume to himself all or any of the functions of the State or he may vest all or any of those functions in the Governor or any other executive authority.

(ii) The President can suspend or dissolve the State Legislative Assembly. He may declare that the powers of the State Legislature shall be exercisable by or under the authority of Parliament. However, Parliament will be competent to confer that power on the President and also authorize him to delegate those powers to anybody he thinks fit.

(iii) The President can make any other incidental or consequential provisions necessary to give effect to the object of the Proclamation.

(iv) If the Lok Sabha is not in session then the President sanctions the expenditure from the consolidated fund of the State.

President’s rule has been promulgated almost 121 times in states since the enforcement of the Constitution. Almost all the States have been, at one time or the other, been put under President’s Rule.

3. Financial Emergency (Art. 360):
If the President is satisfied that a situation has arisen whereby the financial stability or credit of India or any part of it is threatened, he may declare a Financial Emergency under Art. 360 of the Constitution. Such a Proclamation may be revoked by a subsequent Proclamation. The proclamation has to be laid before each House of Parliament.

It ceases to operate at the expiration of two months unless it is approved earlier by a resolution of both Houses of Parliament. The Proclamation in this case also should be approved by Parliament as in the other two cases of emergency. Like the Proclamation of war-emergency, Financial Emergency also continues for an indefinite period. Fortunately, this kind of Emergency has not been declared so far.

Effects of this Proclamation:
(i) During the Financial emergency, the executive authority of the union shall extend to the giving of directions to any State to observe such canons of financial property as may be specified in the direction or any other directions which the President may deem necessary for this purpose.

(ii) The President can ask a State to reduce salaries and allowances of all or any class of public servants connected with the affairs of a State.

(iii) The President can give direction to a State to reserve all Money Bills for the consideration of the President after they have been passed by the State Legislature.

(iv) The President shall be competent to issue directions for the reduction of salaries and allowances of all or any class of persons serving in connection with the affairs of the Union including the judges of the Supreme Court and the High Courts.

Criticism:
Evidently the Constitution gives the President very drastic powers to deal with Emergency. Emergency powers of the President were criticised within and outside the Constituent Assembly. It has been said that these powers are not compatible with democracy. When the provisions relating to Emergency powers were passed, Sh. H. V. Kamath, member of the Constituent Assembly, declared, “ It is a day of shame and sorrow, God save the Indian people.”

Sh. K. T. Shah described Article 359, which empowers the President to suspend the right to seek enforcement of fundamental rights “as the grand final and crowning glory of this chapter of reaction and retrogression.” The power to abrogate fundamental rights of citizens during Emergencies can easily be abused for depriving the people of their liberty and imposing a totalitarian rule on the country.

According to H. V. Kamath, “ There is no parallel to the chapter of Emergency in any Constitution of democratic countries of the world”. He further said,, “I fear that by the single chapter we are seeking to lay the foundation of a totalitarian State, a police State, State completely opposed to all the ideas and principles that we have held aloft during the last few decades, a State where the rights and liberties of millions of innocent men and women will be in continuous jeopardy, a State where if there be peace it will be the peace of the grave and the void of the desert. I only pray to God that He may grant us wisdom, wisdom to avert any such catastrophe, grant us fortitude and courage.”

Another point of criticism is that during Emergency federal structure is changed into unitary one. T. T. Krishnamachari said, “The Constitution of India is designed to work as a federal system in normal times and as a unitary system in war and other emergencies.” Moreover, ruling party at the Centre by using Article 356 can declare President’s rule in a particular State simply because some other party is ruling the State. Article 356 was misused when nine state governments were dismissed on 30th April 1977 and in Feb 1980.

Justification of Emergency Powers. Emergency powers of the President are defended on the ground that Strong Centre is needed for security of the country. V. N. Shukla writes, “ These provisions may appear to be harsh, particularly in a constitution which professes to be built upon an edifice of fundamental rights and democracy. But the provisions may be studied in the light of India’s past history. India has had her inglorious days whenever the Central power was weak.

It is well that the Constitution guards against the forces of disintegration. Events may take place threatening the very existence of the State, together with all that is desired to remain basic and immutable will be swept away.” Country’s security is more important than the federal system. In the words of Dr. Ambedkar, “ It is only the Centre which can work for the common purpose and for the general interest of the country as a whole. Herein lies the justification of giving to the Centre overriding power to be used in the Emergency.”

It is not possible for the President to become a dictator. In India there exists a parliamentary form of Government. The essence of parliamentary form of Government is that the Head of the State is a nominal head. It is the Council of Ministers which is the real executive.

According to 44th Amendment, an Emergency can be proclaimed only on the basis of written advice tendered by the cabinet. In addition a Proclamation of Emergency must be approved by the two Houses of parliament by two-thirds majority within a period of one month. As a further check against the misuse of the emergency powers and to put the right to life and liberty on a secure footing, it is provided in 44th Amendment Act that the power to suspend the right to move the court for the enforcement of a fundamental right cannot be exercised in respect of the fundamental right to life and liberty.

According to 44th Amendment the provisions of Article 19 will become suspended only in the case of a proclamation of Emergency issued on the ground of war or external aggression and not in the case of a Proclamation of Emergency issued on the ground of armed rebellion. Moreover, if the President tries to become a despot, he will be impeached by the Parliament.

Conclusion:
We can conclude safely that it is not possible for the President to become a dictator. No doubt suspension of rights of the citizens is against democratic system but rights of the individual are not more important than the security of the State. To quote K. Santhanam, “The net result of Article 356 is that when there is a proclamation the State Government may come to be temporarily merged with the Government of the Union.

There is no question of autocracy under any circumstances. Only State autonomy may suffer temporarily.” Sh. Amar Nandi rightly remarked that the power conferred on the central executive to meet national emergencies is, so as to say, a loaded gun which can be used both to protect and to destroy the liberty of citizens. The gun must be used, therefore, with extreme caution.

PSEB 11th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 24 The Union Executive-President, Vice-President, Council of Ministers and Prime Minister

Question 4.
Discuss the election, powers and functions of the Vice-President of India.
Or
Write a short note on the Vice-President of India.
Answer:
Article 63 of the Constitution lays down that there shall be a Vice-President of India. Like the President of India, the Vice-President is also elected indirectly by the people. Whenever the office of the President falls vacant due to the death, resignation or removal of the President, the Vice-President acts for him. However, he acts for limited period only.

Qualifications:
A candidate for the office of the Vice-President must possess the following qualifications:
1. He should be a citizen of India.

2. He should have completed the age of 35 years.

3. He should be eligible to be elected as a member of the Rajya Sabha.

4. He must not hold any office of profit under any Government—Centre, State of Local. For purposes of this provision, the Constitution lays down that the offices of the President or Vice- President, Governor of a State or Ministers of the Union or State Governments, shall not be considered places of profit.

5. The Vice- President cannot be a member of either House of Parliament or of a State Legislature. If he is a member of either of these Houses at the time when he is elected as Vice- President, his seat in that Legislature is declared vacant from the date he takes over as Vice-President.

6. The name of the candidate for the office of Vice-President must be proposed and seconded by at least 20 electors each.

Election:
The Vice-President of India is elected by an electoral college consisting of the members of both Houses of Parliament in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote and the voting at such election shall be by secret ballot. The two Houses need not sit together for this purpose. (The Eleventh Amendment).

It is significant to note that in the election of the Vice-President the nominated members of both the Houses have the right to vote while in the election of the President only the elected members of Parliament are eligible to vote. According to the Eleventh Amedment (1961) of the constitution the election of the President or Vice-President is not to be questioned on the ground that there was a vacancy in the Electoral College.

In August 2017. Sh. Venkaiah Naidu candidate of National Democratic Alliance was elected Vice¬President of India. Sh. Venkaiah Naidu defeated United Progressive Alliance candidate Sh. Gopal Krishna Gandhi. Sh. Venkaiah Naidu secured 516 votes while Sh. Gopal Krishna Gandhi secured 244 votes.

Term:
The Vice-President is elected for a term of five years. The period of five years starts from the date on which he enters upon his office. He is eligible for re-election. The Vice-President may resign his office by writing to the President before the expiry of five years. In 1969 when the Acting President V.V. Giri resigned, he addressed his letter of resignation to the President. This he had done on the advice of the Attorney-General. The office of the Vice-President may also fall vacant either on the death of the Vice-President or when he has been removed from office by impeachment.

Removal by Impeachment:
The Vice-President can be removed from office by impeachment. He can be removed from office if a resolution to that effect is passed by the Rajya Sabha by a majority of its then members and if the resolution is approved by the Lok Sabha. Fourteen days’ notice is necessary for moving such a resolution.

Salary:
As Vice-President of India, he gets no salary. The Vice-President is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and he receives- a salary of Rs. 4,00,000 per month. He is also entitled to the use of offical residence. When the Vice-President acts as President, he has all the privileges, powes and immunities of the President. According to Vice¬President Pension Act, a person who ceases to hold office as Vice-President, either by expiration of his term of office or by resignation, is entitled to a monthly pension of Rs. 2,00,000.

Functions:
The duties of the Vice-President are two-fold: 1. He is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and 2. He acts for the President when the office of the President is vacant. Even when the President is ill or otherwise unable to perform the duties of his office, the Vice-President acts for him.

As Vice-President. In the absence of the President or during casual vacancy in the office of the President, the Vice-President shall perform all the functions of the President. If the President is unable to discharge his functions owing to absence, illness or any other cause, the Vice-President will discharge his functions until the date on which the President resumes his duties. Under such circumstances:

  1. The Vice-President performs the duties of the President.
  2. The Vice-President has the authority to exercise all the powers concerning the office of the President.
  3. He can remain for a period of 6 months in the office of the President in the case of President’s resignation, death and removal from office. He cannot continue in the office of the President more than this period.
  4. He makes arrangement for the election of the new President within a period of six months. The new President must be elected within this period.
  5. The Vice-President can himself contest for Presidentship of the country.

The office of the Vice-President is next to the office of the President of the country. But the Vice-President has no functions to perform as the President of the country. He has the functions to perform only in the absence of the President. It is only an office of pride and honour.

As Chairman of Rajya Sabha. The Vice-President is the ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha. That means that being the Vice-President of the country he is the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. He is to perform various functions in this capacity as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and they are given as follows:

  1. He presides over the meetings of the Rajya Sabha.
  2. He maintains decorum and decency in the House.
  3. He allots time to the members to speak.
  4. He is not a member of the Rajya Sabha. Therefore, he is not entitled to cast his vote but in case of a tie he makes use of his casting vote.

The Vice-President cannot perside over the meeting of the Rajya Sabha when:

  • He is acting as the President of the country and
  • When the Rajya Sabha is considering charges against him.

Position of the Vice-President:
The office of the Vice-President is not of any great importance. No doubt his office is next to the office of the President of India but he does not exercise any powers. The American Vice-President enjoys the remaining tenure of the President in case of President’s death or resignation or removal but in India under such circumstances the Vice-President works only as the acting President till the newly elected President joins.

As acting President the Vice-President will enjoy all the privileges and powers of the President. When a vacancy is caused, new President is to be elected within 6 months. The office of the Vice-President is not of great importance. But we will have to admit this that much depends upon the personality of the person who becomes the Vice-President. A person with a wonderful personality can become a very useful part of administration.

PSEB 11th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 24 The Union Executive-President, Vice-President, Council of Ministers and Prime Minister

Question 5.
What do you know of the composition, powers and functions of the Union Council of Ministers?
Answer:
The Constitution of India provides for parliamentary government in the country. At the Centre as well as in the States there is parliamentary government. The President is only the nominal head of the State. He exercises his powers on the advice of the Council of Ministers. It is written in the Constitution that there will be a Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister to aid and advise the President. In fact all the powers of the President are actually exercised by the ministers. The Council of Ministers takes decisions and the President can give them a piece of advice. The ministers run the administration according to their sweet will. It is why the parliamentary system of Government is called the Cabinet Government.

Composition:
The only provision made in the constitution for the formation of the Council of Ministers is that the President appoints the Prime Minister and the other ministers are appointed by him with the consultation of the latter. But the fact is that the President does not appoint, the Prime Minister of his own sweet will. Normally the leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha is made the Prime Minister and all other ministers are appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. The President cannot make any change in the list of ministers.

It is again the Prime Minister who distributes portfolios among the ministers. The ministers are taken out of the members of the legislature. If any outsider is appointed a minister, he must become the member of the legislature within 6 months. In Feb. 1988, Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi reorganized his Council of Ministers and there were 60 members in the Council of Ministers. In the Constitution, 91st Amendment Act provides that the total number of ministers including the Prime Minister, shall not exceed 15% of the total number of members of the Lok Sabha.

PSEB 11th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 24 The Union Executive-President, Vice-President, Council of Ministers and Prime Minister 6

In May 2019, there were 57 members in the Council of Ministers. It included 24 cabinet ministers, 24 ministers of state and 9 ministers having independent charge.

Term of Office:
It is written in the Constitution that the ministers will remain in the office during the pleasure of the President, It means that the President can remove the ministers from office whenever he likes. But it is not so. If the majority of the members of the Lok Sabha supports the Council of Ministers, it will continue to remain in office and the President cannot remove it. The ministers remain in office so far as they enjoy the confidence of the members of the Lok Sabha.

Salary:
The Constitution of India lays down that the salaries, allowances, etc. of the ministers shall be decided by the Parliament. The ministers are entitled to a salary, daily allowances and constituency allowances at the same rate as the members of Parliament.

Powers and Functions Of The Cabinet:
The Cabinet is the real ruler of the country. All the executive authority of the President is exercised by the cabinet. Following are the powers and functions of the Cabinet:

1. Determination of National Policy:
The polity of the nation is formulated by the Cabinet. After taking office the Cabinet is to formulate its internal and external policy according to which it is to run the administration of the State. It is the Government which is responsible for internal peace and order, and freedom from external aggression and better living of the people of the country. It has, therefore, to formulate policies in a way that they are helpful for the people of the country at large.

2. Control over Administration:
The administration of the country is to be run by the ministers. Every member of the Council of Ministers has one or more departments under his charge and he has to look after its working and administration. No doubt, it is the civil servants who carry on the administration but this administration has to be within the framework of the policies laid down by the Council of Ministers. Departmental administration has to be run by the civil servants but it is the minister who is responsible for the smooth running of the administration.

3. Foreign Relations:
It is the function of the Cabinet to maintain relations with other countries. These relations are established according to the policies laid down by the Cabinet. The ambassadors to foreign countries are appointed on the advice of the cabinet. The correspondence with other countries is done of course in the name of the President but actually it is the Cabinet who performs this function. It is the Cabinet which enters into treaties with other countries.

4. Legislative Powers: In a Parliamentary Government there is a close relationship between the Cabinet and the legislature. It enjoys many legislative powers.

  1. The ministers are taken from among the members of the Parliament and they have a big share in law-making.
  2. The President convenes the meetings of the Parliament on the advice of the Council of Ministers.
  3. The Cabinet prepares the programme of the session.
  4. The ministers introduce the bills in the House and see them through. Most of the bills in a Parliamentary Government are introduced in the Parliament by the ministers. They explain the policy and the purpose of the bills to the Parliament.
  5. Laws in the Parliament are framed in accordance with the wishes of the Cabinet. As the ministers belong to the majority party so they are sure of the support of the members to their bills.
  6. The President issues ordinances on the advice of the ministers.

5. Financial Powers: The Cabinet enjoys many financial powers:

  1. The budget is prepared by the Finance Minister in consultation with other ministers.
  2. It is the ministers who suggest an increase, decrease or abolition in the taxes. Money bills can only be introduced by the ministers.

6. Appointments:
Important appointments are made only on the advice of the ministers. For example, the appointments of Governors, Ambassadors and members of the Union Public Service Commission are made on the recommendations of the ministers.

7. Administrative Justice:
The ministers also exercise judicial powers. They are to decide many administrative matters. They are to give a decision in administrative matters and decisions of the ministers are final. While deciding cases the ministers have the right to adopt judicial methods like all other courts.

Conclusion:
The above mentioned powers and functions of the Cabinet clearly explain that the administration of the State is run according to the wishes of the Cabinet. It can run the administration in a way it likes. It is rightly said that the ‘Cabinet is the steering wheel of the ship of the State’. It is said that the British Cabinet has become the virtual dictator, the State and the Parliament have become subservient to it.

PSEB 11th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 24 The Union Executive-President, Vice-President, Council of Ministers and Prime Minister

Question 6.
Distinguish between the Cabinet and the Council of Ministers.
Answer:
There are some differences between the Cabinet and the Council of Ministers. This distinction must be clarified. The Cabinet is a part of the Council of Ministers and the real authority is enjoyed by it.

Council of Ministers:
The Council of Ministers consists of the following types of ministers:
1. Cabinet Ministers:
These are the most important ministers. They control the important departments of administration. They frame policies and decide all other important matters, They are generally 25 to 30 in number. It is these ministers who form the Cabinet. All the powers of the Council of Ministers are exercised according to the wishes of the Cabinet.

2. State Ministers:
The State Ministers also head some departments. But they are not entitled to participate in the meetings of the Cabinet. They can be invited to attend the meetings of the Cabinet when some special issue or the issue concerning their department is to be discussed.

3. Deputy Ministers: The Deputy Ministers are appointed to assist the Cabinet ministers and the State ministers in the performance of their functions. The Deputy Minister is not the head of any department. The Deputy Ministers are appointed almost in each department.

4. Parliament Secretaries:
The Parliamentary Secretaries are not minister and they are not members of the Council of Ministers. Parliamentary Secretaries are not appointed by the President. They are appointed by the Prime Minister. They have no independent powers or functions. They assist the ministers to whom they are attached to do their parliamentary work. They have no control over the administrative departments. They are, infact, probationers under training and may hope to rise to higher ranks if they make good.

5. Deputy Prime Minister:
Neither the Constitution nor any of the Union laws provide for the office of the Deputy Prime Minister. It is the sole discretion of the Prime Minister to bestow the rank and the status of Deputy Prime Minister on any number of members of the Cabinet. Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel was given the status and rank of Deputy Prime Minister in the Council of Minister headed by Late Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru.

Similarly in the Cabinet headed by Late Mrs. Indira Gandhi, Mr. Morarji Desai was ranked as Deputy Prime Minister of the country. The rank and status’of Deputy Prime Minister was conferred on Sarvashri Charan Singh and Jagjivan Ram in the Council of Ministers headed by Sh. Morarji Desai.

In the Ministery headed by Sh. V.P. Singh, Ch. Devi Lai was sworn in as the Deputy Prime Minister of the country. In June, 2002, Mr. Lai Krishan Adwani sworn in as the Deputy Prime Minister of India in the ministry of Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee. The office of the Deputy Prime Minister carries neither special responsibilites nor special privileges.

The Council of Ministers consists different types of ministers. Their number is near about 65. But the Cabinet consists of only the Cabinet ministers and all important decisions are taken by them. Whatever decisions are taken by the Cabinet all the ministers are to abide by them. All the members of the Council of Ministers are to carry out those decisions.

PSEB 11th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 24 The Union Executive-President, Vice-President, Council of Ministers and Prime Minister

Question 7.
What are the main features of the Cabinet System in India?
Answer:
In India the parliamentary system of government has been adopted. The Council of Ministers exercises all the powers of the President. It performs its functions on the basis of the following principles:

1. President a Constitutional Head:
The first important feature of the parliamentary system of government is that the Head of State enjoys only nominal powers. The entire administration of the State is run in the name of the President but in reality it is the Cabinet which is responsible for running the administration of the State. The President takes all the decisions on the advice of the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister is the head of the government whereas the President is the head of the State. The President cannot participate in the meetings of the Cabinet and he is kept out of the Cabinet. The President appoints the Prime Minister, but he must appoint the leader of the majority party as the Prime Minister of India. He does not interfere in the formation, meetings and the decisions of the Cabinet.

2. Close relationship between the Cabinet and Parliament:
There is a very close relationship between the Cabinet and the Parliament. The Cabinet is formed from among the members of the Parliament. If any outsider is appointed a minister he must become the member of the Parliament within six months otherwise he will have to quit the office.

3. Leadership of the Cabinet:
The Cabinet performs its functions under the control and guidance of the Prime Minister. The appointments of the ministers are made by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister presides over the meetings of the Cabinet. He can remove any minister from office. He also co-ordinates the working of the ministry.

4. Political Homogeneity:
The members of the Cabinet hold the same view point because they belong to the same political party. The Cabinet works like a unit. Therefore, all the members of the. Cabinet must agree with one another. If the ministers are taken from different political parties, they will never agree over policy matters because each political party would like to implement its own policy. It is very necessary that the ministers should be taken from the same party so that administration could be run smoothly.

5. Cabinet works as a Team:
The Cabinet works as a team. The members of the Cabinet swim and sink together. They perform their functions in consultation with one another. All the ministers are individually as well as collectively responsibly for their work. No-confidence motion against a particular minister means a no-confidence motion against the entire ministry and the entire ministry is to resign. The resignation of the Prime Minister means the resignation of the entire ministry. All the ministers are to abide by the decisions taken by the Cabinet. All the ministers remain in office or lose office together.

6. Leadership of the Prime Minister:
Indian Cabinet works under the leadership of the Prime Minister. According to Art. 74, there shall be a Council of Ministers with the Prime Minister at its head to aid and advise the President in the exercise of his functions. Ministers are appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister. Portfolios are distributed by the Prime Minister and he has the power to change the portfolios of the ministers.

He presides over the meetings of the Cabinet. In case of disagreement between a minister and the Prime Minister, the minister will have to resign. No person can remain in the Cabinet against the wishes of the Prime Minister. The resignation of the Prime Minister means the resignation of the whole Council of Ministers.

7. Prime Minister’s right to get the Lok Sabha dissolved:
Another feature of the Indian Cabinet system is that the Prime Minister can advise the president to dissolve the Lok Sabha. On Feb. 6, 2004 the President Dr. A.P.J. Adbul Kalam dissolved the Lok Sabha on the advice of the Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee.

8. Secrecy:
Cabinet keeps the proceedings of its meetings absolutely secret. No minister can convey to anybody the decisions taken by the ministry and the discussion which took place while taking the decisions. The decisions can be announced by the concerned minister at the proper time.

9. Ministerial Responsibility:
The ministers cannot exercise their powers in an arbitrary manner. They are responsible for their actions and policies to the legistature. The members of the Parliament can ask them questions and supplementary questions and they are to answer them on the floor of the House. In case, the Parliament loses confidence in the ministers, they will have to resign. The Parliament can indicate its lack of no-confidence over the ministry by passing a no-confidence resolution. Even if the Parliament passes a no-confidence motion against one minister the entire ministry is to resign.

PSEB 11th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 24 The Union Executive-President, Vice-President, Council of Ministers and Prime Minister

Question 8.
How is the Prime Minister appointed? Discuss his powers and functions.
Or
Discuss the position of the Prime Minister.
Answer:
The Prime Minister is the most important and powerful functionary of the State. He can be called the ruler of the State. The Prime Minister is the head of the Council of Ministers and all the powers of the President are actually exercisd by the Prime Minister. He can rule the country in a way which he thinks the best. He is the architect of the fate of State. The Government can do nothing against his will.

Appointment:
The Prime Minister is appointed by the President but while doing so the President is not having a free hand. Only that person can be appointed to the office of Prime Minister who is the leader of majority party in the Lok Sabha. After the general election the President invites the leader of the party which has gained majority in the Lok Sabha to form the Government.

In Dec. 1984, Mr. Rajiv Gandhi was appointed Prime Minister because he was the leader of the majority party (Congress I) in the Lok Sabha. If no political party gets an absolute majority in the Lok Sabha even then the President is not free to appoint anybody the Prime Minister. Under such circumstances only that person will be invited to form the Government who can seek the co-operation of the majority of members in the Lok Sabha.

After the 17th Lok Sabha election held in April-May, 2019, Sh Narender Modi was appointed as the Prime Minister.
Term of Office. The Prime Minister does not have a fixed tenure of offfice. He remains in office so long as he enjoys the support of the majority party. If the majority of members of the Lok Sabha loses confidence in the Prime Minister, he is to resign the office. On 11th April, 1997 Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda resigned because his resolution of vote of confidence was rejected by the majority members of the Lok Sabha.

Salary and Allowances. The Prime Minister gets the same salary and allowances which are paid to members of Parliament. He also receives a constituency allowance like other M.Ps. He is also entitled to free official residence, free travels, medical facilities, etc.

Powers And Functions Of The Prime Minister:
The Prime Minister enjoys vast powers which have made his office very important and powerful. His powers and functions are given as follows:
1. Prime Minisiter and the Cabinet:
The Prime Minister is the maker of the Cabinet. The Cabinet has no existence without the Prime Minister. He can make or unmake a Cabinet. The Cabinet performs all its functions under the control and guidance of the Prime Minister. Therefore, he is called “the keystone of the Cabinet arch” or “shining moon among the stars”. He enjoys the following powers in connection with the Cabinet:

(i) Formation of the Council of Ministers:
His first duty after assuming office is the formation of the Council of Ministers. He prepares a list of ministers according to his sweet will. He has a free hand in the selection of ministers. Nobody can be appointed a minister against the wishes of the Prime Minister. Number of Council of Ministers depends upon him. In the Constitution, 91st Amendment Act provides that the total number of ministers including the Prime Minister, shall not exceed 15% of the total number of members of the Lok Sabha. In May 2019, there were 57 members in the Council of Ministers.

(ii) Distribution of Portfolios:
The Prime Minitser distributes work among the ministers. He decides what department is to be allotted to a particular . minister. He controls the working of the departments of his ministers. If the Prime Minister is not satisfied with the working of a department, he can change the department of that minister. He distributes particular departments to ministers in such a way that they can run the departments quite efficiently. He also co-ordinates the working of different departments.

(iii) Removal of the Minister:
The ministers remain in office during the pleasure of the Prime Minister. If the Prime Minister is not satisfied with the working of a minister or the minister does nto run the department in accordance with wishes of the Prime Minister, he can ask him to quit the office and can appoint someone else in his place. In June, 1978 Prime Minister Morarji Desai asked Home Minister Char an Singh and Mr. Raj Narayan to resign from the cabinet and Mr. Charan Singh and Raj Narayan submitted their resignations.

On 1st August, 1990 the Prime Minitser V.P. Singh sacked his Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Devi Lai, from the Council of Ministers. On April 20, 1998 Prime Minister Vajpayee sacked Communication Minister Buta Singh because he refused to resign. The Prime Minister can make changes in the Cabinet whenever he likes. With the resignation of the Prime Minister the entire ministry falls.

(iv) Leadership of the Cabinet:
The Prime Minister is the leader of the Cabinet. The Cabinet functions under the conrol of the Prime Minister. He can call the meetings of Cabinet whenever he likes. The Prime Minister prepares the agenda of the meeting as well as controls it. He presides over the Cabinet meetings. All the decisions in Cabinet meetings are taken according to the wishes of the council of ministers.

2. Link between the President and the Cabinet:
The Prime Minister is the link between the President and the Cabinet. It is the duty of the Prime Minister to convey the decisions of the Cabinet to the President. No minister can discuss a particular problem with the President without the permission of the Prime Minister. The President can demand information from the Prime Minister regarding the working of administration. The Cabinet can discuss any issue with the President only through the Prime Minister.

3. Leadership of the Cabinet in the Parliament:
The Prime Minister leads the Cabinet in the Parliament. The ministers answer the questions put to them by the members of the Parliament. Whenever a minister is in difficulty, the Prime Minister helps him. The Prime Minster explains the policy and decisions of the Cabinet to the Parliament. All important statements on behalf of the Cabinet are made by the Prime Minister in the Parliament.

4. Principal adviser of the President:
The Prime Minister is the chief adviser of the President. The President seeks the advice of the Prime Minister in all matters of the state. The Prime Minister informs the President regarding all the decisions taken by the Cabinet. If the President requires any information regarding the administration of any department, he would demand such an information from the Prime Minister.

5. Appointments:
All the important appointments in the State are made.by the Prime Minister. The President makes appointments of the State Governors, Ambassadors and members of the Union Pubilc Service Cmmission only on the advice of the Prime Minister. The President cannot make any such appointment of his own accord.

6. Leader of the Parliament:
The Prime Minister is also the leader of the House. Out of the two Houses the position of Lok Sabha is of great importance and the Prime Minister is the leader of the Lok Sabha. The Parliament always depends upon the policy and guidance of the Prime Minister for facing any problem. All the important decisions in the Parliament are taken according to the wishes of the Prime Minister. He can get any law passed by the parliament because he is the leader of the majority party. He can get the Lok Sabha dissolved.

7. Leader of Nation:
The Prime Minister is also the leader of the nation. The President is the head of the State and the Prime Minister is the head of the Government. Gveneral election means the election of the Prime Minister. Each poiltical party has its leader already and the people vote for the party whose leader they want to see as the Prime Minister of the country. During emergency the people have always high hopes on the Prime Minister and they always act upon his advice. His office has become more important for his being the leader of the nation. He is always supported by public and with the help of the public he can do things which he likes.

Position of the Prime Minister:
An analysis of the powers of the Prime Minister proves that “he is the pivot of the whole system of government.” He occupies a position of exceptional authority. K.T. Shah observed in the Constituent Assembly, “This Constitution concentrates so much power and influence in the hands of the Prime Minister that there is every danger to apprehend that the Prime Minister may become a dictator if he chooses to do so.” N.V. Gadgil, former Governor of Punjab said, “The Prime Minister is invested with formidable power and influence unless he be a genuine democrat by nature, he is very likely to become a dictator.”

In the words of Nehru, ‘The Prime Minister is the linchpin of the government.” While the President is the nominal head, the Prime Minister is the real head. The powers of the President are in reality exercised by the Council of Ministers, But the Prime Minister is the head of the Council of Ministers. Without him, the ministers have no entity. To quote Laski, ‘The Prime Minister is central to the formation of the Council of Ministes, central to its birth and central to its death.” For his appointment, he is not dependent upon the favour of the President.

It is his right to form the Council of Ministers because he commands the confidence of the Lok Sabha. In the words of A.C. Dash, “The Indian Prime Minister like the German Chancellor is superior to the entire Cabinet, for under the Constitution he is declared to be the head of Council of Ministers and all other Ministers are appointed and probably will be dismissed on his advice.” The Prime Minister forms the Cabinet and he is its life breath.

He is the leader of the Parliament and the nation and the principal adviser of the President. The decisions of the Cabinet are virtually the decisions of the Prime Minister. There is hardly any elected functionary in the world comparable to the Prime Minister of India. Backed by a stable and substantial majority in the Lok Sabha, he is more powerful than even the President of the United States of America.

However, the Prime Minister’s supremacy is not due entirely to the powers which belong to his office. Much depends upon his personality. If he is a man of dynamic prsonality he will be able to dominate the political scene. A fickle minded person will never be able to impress. Ideally, the Prime Minister should have a personality which earns him not only the loyalty of his own party but also a measure of considerable respect from the opposition.

Mr. Nehru who held the office of the Prime Minister nearly eighteen years, possessed an unparalleld personality. He was an institution. In the words of Norman D. Palmer, “Important and able men have held ministerial posts but with the exception of Vallabhbhai Patel, who served as Deputy Prime Minister until his death in 1950, no one has really shared Nehru’s authority.” Prime Minister Lai Bahadur Shastri gave his country brilliant leadership in terms of war and peace and gave up his life in quest for peace. He served his country with his life.

He did not possess the external symbols of greatness yet he rose to great heights. Though short in stature there was more iron in his soul than appeared on the surface. The manner in which Morarji Desai was relieved of the Finance Department by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, highlights the fact that not even the ‘tallest’ among the Prime Minister’s colleagues can measure upto the stature of the Prime Minister. After the election of 1971 and 1980, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was considered the source of all power. According to Ashok Mehta, “Our Cabinet form of Government has come to a near Presidential regime.”

According to Frank Morris, “Mrs. Gandhi was not only the undisputed leader of the Congress Party, but it was her party and she could dominate it in a way which none else had done. She was free to choose her colleagues who were her agents or assistants and in her presence trembled and obeyed.” In the words of Greame C. Moodie, “For many the Prime Minister is the part of the government and at times, may become the personification of the political nation.” Mr. Rajiv Gandhi was very powerful because like Mrs. Indira Gandhi he was also the president of the Congress (I).

The position of the Prime Minister also depends upon the support of his party. Without his party he is nothing. He must maintain close contact with party opinion. His aloofness, reserve and indifference militates against sound leadership. He must rely on co-operation, not coercion. He is to lead the party and not drive it. The manner in which Pt. Nehru had to bow before the party demand on the removal of Mr. Krishna Menon in 1962 proves that there are limits beyond which the Prime Minister cannot carry the party.

To conclude, powerful as he may be, no particular Prime Minister is indispensable, irremovable, or omnipotent. “He is not Caesar, he is not an unchangeable oracle, his views are not dooms; he is always on suffrance and its germs are whether he can render indubitably useful services. At any time a rival may supplant him.” The essence of the powers of the Prime Minister lies in a united Cabinet, a united Parliament and united people.

PSEB 11th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 24 The Union Executive-President, Vice-President, Council of Ministers and Prime Minister

Short Answer Type Questions 

Question 1.
How is the President of India elected?
Answer:
The President is the head of the state. He is elected indirectly by an electoral college. Elected members of both the Houses of Parliament and elected members of legislative assemblies of the States constitute the electoral college. The nominated members of the Parliament and the assemblies do not take part in the election. The voting is held on’ the basis of proportional representation by the single transferable vote system. Only an Indian citizen, who has attained the age of 35 years, and whose name has been proposed and seconded by a definite number of the electors, can contest election.

Question 2.
Explain in brief the composition of the Electoral College constituted for the election of the President.
Answer:
According to Article 54 of Indian Constitution, the President shall be elected indirectly by an electoral college consisting of the elected members of the union and state legislatures in accordance with the principle of proportional representation with single transferable vote system.

Question 3.
Describe the formula by which the value of the vote of the members of State Legislative Assembly is determined.
Answer:
Article 55 (4) of the Constitution lays down the procedure of determining the votes of the members of the State Assembly, which is as follows:
PSEB 11th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 24 The Union Executive-President, Vice-President, Council of Ministers and Prime Minister 7
If the remainder is less than 500, it is ignored.
If it is more than 500, then the vote of each member shall be further increased by one.

PSEB 11th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 24 The Union Executive-President, Vice-President, Council of Ministers and Prime Minister

Question 4.
Describe the procedure of determining the value of votes of the members of the Parliament.
Answer:
The constitution lays down the following procedure of determining the votes of the members of Parliament.
PSEB 11th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 24 The Union Executive-President, Vice-President, Council of Ministers and Prime Minister 8
Fraction exceeding one-half being counted as one.

Question 5.
Describe the tenure of the President.
Or
Discuss in brief the removal of the President.
Answer:
The President is elected for a period of five years. But he can be removed from his office before the expiry date. The President can be removed from office by impeachment only. The Constitution lays down a detailed procedure for the impeachment of the President. He can be impeached “for violation of the Constitution.” When a President is to be impeached for the violation of the Constitution, the charges can be prepared by either House of the Parliament.

But no such charge is to be preferred unless the proposal to prefer such a charge is contained in a resolution which has been moved after at least 14 days notice in writing signed by not less than one-fourth of the total number of members of the House. The resolution must be passed by a two-thirds majority of the total number of members of the House. If passed by the requisite majority in one house, it is sent to the other House for investigation. If the other House also passes the resolution by a two- thirds majority of the total membership of this House, then it means the charge is proved and the President is removed from his office.

Question 6.
Describe the method of fixing the quota for the election of the President.
Answer:
Under the system of Proportional Representation, a candidate to be elected must secure the necessary quota of votes. The quota is determined by the following formula:
PSEB 11th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 24 The Union Executive-President, Vice-President, Council of Ministers and Prime Minister 9
Suppose the total number of valid votes polled at the Presidential election is 8,00,000. Applying the above-mentioned formula, the quota shall be
\(\frac {8,00,000}{1+1}\) +1 = 4,00,001

PSEB 11th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 24 The Union Executive-President, Vice-President, Council of Ministers and Prime Minister

Question 7.
Describe the salary and allowances of the President.
Answer:
The President of India gets a salary of Rs. 5,00,000 per month and an official residence (called Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi) free of rent. In addition to the salary, the President also gets handsome allowances of various kinds as determined by Parliament. According to the President’s Pension Act, a person who ceases to hold office as President, either by expiration of his term of office or by resignation, is entitled to a monthly pension of Rs. 2,50,000. The Government may also allow him a free medical aid as was done in the case of Dr. Rajendra Prasad.

The salary and other allowances of the President are charged on the Consolidated Fund of India. According to Art. 59 (4), the emoluments and allowances of the President shall not be diminished during his term of office.

Question 8.
Describe any four executive powers of the President.
Answer:
Following are the executive powers of the President:

  1. All executive functions of the Union (central) government are performed in the name of the President.
  2. He appoints the Governors, Chief Justice and other judges of the Supreme Court and the High Courts.
  3. He appoints the Attorney General of India and the members and Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission.
  4. He is the supreme commander of the armed forces.

Question 9.
Mention four legislative powers of the President.
Answer:
Following are the legislative powers of the President:

  1. He can address both the Houses of the Parliament and can send messages to either house at any time.
  2. He can summon any House of the Parliament at any time.
  3. He can dissolve the Lok Sabha.
  4. He nominates two members of the Anglo-Indian community to the Lok Sabha.

PSEB 11th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 24 The Union Executive-President, Vice-President, Council of Ministers and Prime Minister

Question 10.
Describe financial powers of the President.
Answer:

  1. It is the duty of the President to place the Budget for the current year before the Parliament. It is to be presented before the beginning of the financial year. Normally the budget is presented to the Parliament by the
  2. Finance Minister on behalf of the President.
  3. Money Bill can only be introduced in the Parliament on the recommendation of the President.
  4. The President has full control over the contingency fund and he can spend it according to his sweet will. He distributes the share of income tax among the States.

Question 11.
Describe judicial powers of the President.
Answer:
The President has some judicial powers also. It is provided by Article 122 of the Constitution.

  • The President appoints the judges and the chief justices to the Supreme Court and the State High Courts.
  • The President cannot be sued in any court of India in connection with any matter concerning his office.
  • He has power to pardon, reprieve and commute punishment.
  • The President can seek the advice of the supreme court of India over any legal matter or a bill of Republic Importance.

Question 12.
What do you know about the emergency powers of the President?
Ans.
The President can declare emergency in three special circumstances :
1. If the President thinks that the security of the country is threatened by a war or external aggression or armed rebellion threatening the integrity of India, he can declare an emergency for the whole of India or any part of it. But the advice should come from the Council of Ministers in writing.

2. In case of the failure of the constitutional machinery in a state or states, the President can take over the entire work of the executive and dissolve or suspend the state assembly.

3. If the President thinks that there is an economic situation in which the financial stability or the credit of India is threatened, he can declare a financial emergency.

PSEB 11th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 24 The Union Executive-President, Vice-President, Council of Ministers and Prime Minister

Question 13.
Discuss about the power of the President to issue an ordinance.
Answer:
During the intervals of the sessions of the Parliament he can issue ordinance. These ordinances have the force of laws. The ordinance is put before the Parliament as soon as it meets. The Parliament has the authority to reject the ordinance. It can be withdrawn by the President also. If it is neither rejected by the Parliament nor withdrawn by the President, it will automatically end six weeks after the first meeting of the Parliament.

Question 14.
Discuss in brief about various emergencies provided in the Constitution of India.
Answer:
There are three types of emergencies provided into the Constitution of India. These are:

  • National Emergency (Article 352) or Emergency arising out of external aggression or armed rebellion.
  • Emergency arising out of the failure of constitutional machinery in a state (Art. 356).
  • Financial Emergency (Art. 360).

Question 15.
What do you understand by National Emergency?
Answer:
According to Art. 352, if the President is satisfied that a grave emergency exists whereby the security of India or any part of India is threatened by war, external aggression or armed rebellion, he may proclaim a state of emergency. But the President can declare such type of emergency if the cabinet decision that such a proclamation may be made has been communicated to him in writing.

PSEB 11th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 24 The Union Executive-President, Vice-President, Council of Ministers and Prime Minister

Question 16.
Under which condition the Constitutional Emergency is imposed?
Answer:
According to article 356, if the President, either on the receipt of a report from the Governor of a State or otherwise, is satisfied that a situation has arisen in which the Government of the State cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, the President can proclaim emergency in that state.

Question 17.
What is the Financial Emergency?
Answer:
According to Article 360, if the President is satisfied that a situation has arisen whereby the financial stability or credit of India or any part of it is threatened, he may declare a Financial Emergency under Article 360 of the constitution. Such a Proclamation may be revoked by a subsequent Proclamation. The Proclamation has to be laid before each House of-Parliament.

It ceases to operate at the expiration of two months unless it is approved earlier by a resolution of both the Houses of Parliament. The Proclamation in this cases should also be approved by Parliament as in the other two cases of emergency. Like the Proclamation of war-emergency, Financial Emergency also continues for an indefinite period. Fortunately, this kind of Emergency has not been declared, so far.

Question 18.
Describe any four points of criticism against the emergency powers of the President.
Answer:
Different persons criticised the emergency powers of the President on different grounds. Following are the points of criticisms against the emergency powers of the President:’

  • Possibility of misuse of emergency powers.
  • Emergency powers are undemocratic.
  • Emergency proclamation is beyond judicial control.
  • Emergency powers can crush the rights and liberties of the individuals.

Question 19.
Describe the justification of emergency powers.
Answer:

  • Historical experiences reveal that emergency powers are necessary to face national crisis.
  • National security is more important than that of the individual liberty.
  • It is the responsibility of the centre to maintain the unity and integrity of the nation.
  • President is a constitutional head.

PSEB 11th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 24 The Union Executive-President, Vice-President, Council of Ministers and Prime Minister

Question 20.
Is it possible for the President of India to be a dictator?
Answer:
Emergency powers of the President indicate that he can be a dictator. But it is not possible for the President to become a dictator because:

  1. In India there exists a Parliamentary form of Government. In this system the President is a constitutional head and his role is nominal.
  2. According to 44th Amendment an Emergency can be proclaimed only on the basis of written advice tendered by the cabinet and the advice of the council of ministers is binding on the President.
  3. If President tries to misuse his powers, he can be removed by impeachment.
  4. President’s rule can’t be imposed at the Centre level.

Question 21.
Describe the election method of the Vice-President of India.
Answer:
The Vice-President of India is elected by an electoral college consisting of the members of both Houses of Parliament in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote and the voting at such election shall be by secret ballot. The two Houses need not sit together for this purpose.

It is significant to note that in the election of the Vice-President the nominated members of both the Houses have the right to vote while in the election of the President only the elected members of Parliament are eligible to vote.

PSEB 11th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 24 The Union Executive-President, Vice-President, Council of Ministers and Prime Minister

Question 22.
Describe in brief the functions of the Vice-President.
Answer:
The duties of the Vice-President are two-fold:1. He is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and 2. he acts for the President when the office of the President is vacant. Even when the President is ill or otherwise unable to perform the duties of his office, the Vice-President acts for him.

As Vice-President. In the absence of the President or during casual vacancy in the office of the President, the Vice-President shall perform all the functions of the President. If the President is unable to discharge his functions owing to absence, illness or any other cause, the Vice-President will discharge his functions until the date on which the President resumes his duties.

As Chairman of Rajya Sabha. The Vice-president is the ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha, that means that by being the Vice-President of the country, he is the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. He is to perform various functions in his capacity as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and they are given as follows:

  • He presides over the meetings of the Rajya Sabha.
  • He maintains decorum and decency in the House.
  • He allots time to the members to speak.

Question 23.
Describe any four qualifications to become a member of Union Council of Ministers.
Answer:

  • He must be a citizen of India.
  • He must not hold any office of profit under the Government of India or the Government of any State.
  • He must possess such other qualifications as may be prescribed by the Parliament.
  • No person can be a member of both Houses of Parliament. In case he becomes, he must vacate one of the two seats. Likewise, one person cannot be a member of a House of Parliament and of a State Legislature simultaneously.

Question 24.
How is the Council of Ministers at the centre formed?
Answer:
After the general elections the various parties in the Parliament elect their leaders. The President invites the leader of the majority party and appoints him the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister selects other ministers and sends their names to the President. The President appoints them as ministers. He cannot make any change in the list given to him by the Prime Minister. It might happen that no party has a majority in the Lok Sabha. In such a situation the President invites the leader of the coalition of many parties and appoints him Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister and other ministers have to take oath of loyalty to the Constitution before they assume office.

PSEB 11th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 24 The Union Executive-President, Vice-President, Council of Ministers and Prime Minister

Question 25.
Give four features of the Cabinet System in India.
Ans.
1. Nominal Head of the State:
The first important feature of the Cabinet system in India is that the President enjoys only nominal powers. The President is a constitutional head of the State.

2. Close Relations Between the Executive and the Legislature:
There is a close relationship between the Cabinet and the Parliament. All the ministers are members of one or the other house of Parliament. They attend the meetings of Parliament, participate in debates and move the bills in the Parliament.

3. Leadership of the Prime Minister:
The Cabinet works under the control and guidance of the Prime Minister. He is the head of the Council of Ministers. He presides over the meetings of the Cabinet and determines the agenda of the meetings.

4. Collective Responsibility:
The Indian Cabinet is responsible to the Lok Sabha. It remains in office so long as it enjoys the confidence of the Lok Sabha. The moment it loses the majority of the members in the house, it has to quit office.

Question 26.
Distinguish between the Cabinet and the Council of Ministers.
Ans.

  1. In the Constitution the words ‘Council of Ministers’ are used and not the word ‘Cabinet’.
  2. The Cabinet is a part of the Council of Ministers. The Council of Ministers consist of all types of ministers. Their number is about 70. But the cabinet consists of only the cabinet ministers. The cabinet consists of about 25 members.
  3. Cabinet is more important than the Council of Ministers. All decisions of the cabinet are to be carried out by the members of the Council of Ministers.
  4. The cabinet ministers get higher salaries than other ministers.

Question 27.
Discuss various types of Ministers in Union Council of Ministers.
Answer:
The Council of Ministers consists of all the ministers. There are four categories of ministers in-India :
1. Cabinet Ministers:
These are the most important ministers. They control the important departments of administration. They frame policies and decide all other important matters. They are generally 20 to 25 in number. It is these ministers who form the Cabinet. All the powers of the Council of Ministers are exercised according to the wishes of the Cabinet.

2. State Ministers:
The state ministers are also head of some departments. But they are not entitled to participate in the meetings of the Cabinet. They can be invited to attend the meetings of the Cabinet when some special issue or the issue concerning their departments is to be discussed.

3. Deputy Ministers:
The Deputy Ministers are appointed to assist the Cabinet ministers and the State ministers in the performance of their functions. A Deputy Minister is not the head of any department. The Deputy Ministers are appointed almost in each department.

4. Parliament Secretaries: Parliament Secretaries are appointed to assist the ministers in the Parliament. They are not the ministers.

PSEB 11th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 24 The Union Executive-President, Vice-President, Council of Ministers and Prime Minister

Question 28.
Discuss any four functions of Council of Ministers.
Ans.
1. Determination of National Policy:
The policy of the Nation is formulated by the Cabinet. After taking office, the Cabinet is to formulate its internal and external policy according to which it is to run the administration of the State.

2. Control over Administration:
The administration of the country is to be run by the ministers. Every member of the Council of Ministers has one or more departments under his charge and he has to look after its working and administration.

3. Foreign Relations:
It is the function of the Cabinet to maintain relations with other countries. These relations are established according to the policies laid down by the Cabinet.

4. Cabinet give a decision in administrative matters.

Question 29.
How is the Prime Minister of India appointed?
Answer:
The President appoints the Prime Minister. He invites the leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha and appoints him the Prime Minister. If no single party has a majority, many parties may form a coalition to make a majority and elect a leader. Then the leader of the coalition will be appointed as the Prime Minister. After 17th Lok Sabha election in April-May 2019, President appointed Sh. Narender Modi, leader of the National Democratic Alliance as Prime Minister.

Question 30.
What are the functions of Prime Minister?
Answer:
The Prime Minister enjoys vast powers which have made his office very important and powerful. His powers and functions are as ahead:

  1. The first function of the Prime Minister is the formation of Council of Ministers. He has a free hand in the selection of ministers. Number of Council of Ministers depends upon him.
  2. The Prime Minister distributes portfolios among the ministers.
  3. The ministers remain in office during the pleasure of the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister can make changes in the Council of Ministers whenever he likes.
  4. Prime Minister is the leader of the Cabinet. The Cabinet functions under the control of the Prime Minister.

Question 31.
Write down the names of present President, Vice-President and Prime Minister of India.
Answer:
Name of Post – Name of Person

  • President – Sh. Ram Nath Kovind
  • Vice President – Sh. Venkaiah Naidu
  • Prime Minister – Sh. Narendra Modi

PSEB 11th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 24 The Union Executive-President, Vice-President, Council of Ministers and Prime Minister

Question 32.
Write down the salary of President and Vice-President.
Answer:
Name of Post – Salary (Monthly)

  • President – Rs. 5,00,000
  • Vice-President – Rs. 4,00,000

Very Short Type Questions

Question 1.
How is the President of India elected?
Answer:
The President is elected indirectly by an electoral college. Elected members of both the Houses of Parliament and elected members of legislative assemblies of the States constitute the electoral college. The voting is held on the basis of proportional representation by the single transferable vote system.

Question 2.
Describe the tenure of the President.
Answer:
The President is elected for a period of five years. But he can be removed from his office before the expiry date. The President can be removed from office by impeachment only. The Constitution lays down a detailed procedure for the impeachment of the President. He can be impeached “for violation of the Constitution.”

Question 3.
Describe the salary and allowances of the President.
Answer:
The President of India gets a salary of Rs. 5,00,000 per month. According to the President’s Pension Act, a person who ceases to hold office as President, either by expiration of his term of office or by resignation, is entitled to a monthly pension of Rs. 2,50,000.

PSEB 11th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 24 The Union Executive-President, Vice-President, Council of Ministers and Prime Minister

Question 4.
Write any two privileges of the President.
Answer:

  • The President of India is not answerable to any court for the exercise of his constitutional rights and powers.
  • No criminal proceeding can be launched against him during his term.

Question 5.
Describe any two executive powers of the President.
Answer:
Following are the executive powers of the President:

  • All executive functions of the Union (central) government are performed in the name of the President.
  • He appoints the Governors, Chief Justice and other judges of the Supreme Court and the High Courts.

Question 6.
Mention two legislative powers of the President.
Answer:
Following are the legislative powers of the President:

  • He can address both the Houses of the Parliament and can send messages to either house at any time.
  • He can summon any House of the Parliament at any time.

Question 7.
Explain financial powers of the President.
Answer:

  • It is the duty of the President to place the Budget for the current year before the Parliament. It is to be presented before the beginning of the financial year. Normally the budget is presented to the Parliament by the
  • Finance Minister on behalf of the President.
  • Money Bill can only be introduced in the Parliament on the recommendation of the President.

Question 8.
Describe judicial powers of the President.
Answer:
The President has some judicial powers also. It is provided by Article 122 of the Constitution.

  • The President appoints the judges and . the chief justices to the Supreme Court and the State High Courts.
  • The President cannot be sued in any court of India in connection with any matter concerning his office.

PSEB 11th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 24 The Union Executive-President, Vice-President, Council of Ministers and Prime Minister

Question 9.
Discuss in brief about various emergencies provided in the Constitution of India.
Answer:
There are three types of emergencies provided into the Constitution of India. These are:

  • National Emergency (Article 352) or Emergency arising out of external aggression or armed rebellion.
  • Emergency arising out of the failure of constitutional machinery in a state (Art. 356).
  • Financial Emergency (Art. 360).

Question 10.
What do you understand by National Emergency?
Answer:
According to Art. 352, if the President is satisfied that a grave emergency exists whereby the security of India or any part of India is threatened by war, external aggression or armed rebellion, he may proclaim a state of emergency.

Question 11.
Under which condition the Constitutional Emergency is imposed?
Answer:
According to article 356, if the President, either on the receipt of a report from the Governor of a State or otherwise, is satisfied that a situation has arisen in which the Government of the State cannot b,e carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, the President can proclaim emergency in that state.

Question 12.
What is the Financial Emergency?
Answer:
According to Article 360, if the President is satisfied that a situation has arisen whereby the financial stability or credit of India or any part of it is threatened, he may declare a Financial Emergency under Article 360 of the constitution. Such a Proclamation may be revoked by a subsequent Proclamation.

PSEB 11th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 24 The Union Executive-President, Vice-President, Council of Ministers and Prime Minister

Question 13.
Explain any two points of criticism against the emergency powers of the President.
Answer:
Different persons criticised the emergency powers of the President on different grounds. Following are the points of criticisms against the emergency powers of the President:

  • Possibility of misuse of emergency powers.
  • Emergency powers are undemocratic.

Question 14.
Describe the justification of emergency powers.
Answer:

  • Historical experiences reveal that emergency powers are necessary to face national crisis.
  • National security is more important than that of the individual liberty.

Question 15.
Is it possible for the President of India to be a dictator?
Answer:
It is not possible for the President to become a dictator because:

  1. In India there exists a Parliamentary form of Government. In this system the President is a constitutional head and his role is nominal.
  2. According to 44th Amendment an Emergency can be proclaimed only on the basis of written advice tendered by the cabinet and the advice of the council of ministers is binding on the President.

Question 16.
Describe the election method of the Vice-President of India.
Answer:
The Vice-President of India is elected by an electoral college consisting of the members of both Houses of Parliament in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote and the voting at such election shall be by secret ballot. The two Houses need not sit together for this purpose.

PSEB 11th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 24 The Union Executive-President, Vice-President, Council of Ministers and Prime Minister

Question 17.
Describe the term of the Vice-President.
Answer:
The Vice-President is elected for a term of five years. The period of five years starts from the date on which he enters his office. He is eligible for re-election. The Vice¬President may resign his office by writing to the President before the expiry of five years. Vice-President can be removed from office by impeachment.

Question 18.
Describe about the salary of the Vice-President.
Answer:
The Vice-President is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and he receives a salary of Rs. 4,00,000 per month. When the Vice-President acts as President, he has all the privileges, powers and immunities of the President. After retirement Vice-President is entitled to a monthly pension of Rs. 2,00,000.

Question 19.
Describe in brief the functions of the Vice-President.
Answer:
The duties of the Vice-President are two-fold:

  1. He is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and
  2. he acts for the President when the office of the President is vacant. Even when the President is ill or otherwise unable to perform the duties of his office, the Vice-President acts for him.

Question 20.
Discuss any two qualifications to become a member of Union Council of Ministers.
Answer:

  • He must be a citizen of India.
  • He must not hold any office of profit under the Government of India or the Government of any State.

PSEB 11th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 24 The Union Executive-President, Vice-President, Council of Ministers and Prime Minister

Question 21.
How is the Council of Ministers at the centre formed?
Answer:
After the general elections the various parties in the Parliament elect their leaders. The President invites the leader of the majority party and appoints him the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister selects other ministers and sends their names to the President. The President appoints them as ministers.

Question 22.
Give two features of the Cabinet System in India.
Answer:

  1. Nominal Head of the State: The first important feature of the Cabinet system in India is that the President enjoys only nominal powers. The President is a constitutional head of the State.
  2. Close Relations Between the Executive and the Legislature: There is a close relationship between the Cabinet and the Parliament.

Question 23.
Distinguish between the Cabinet and the Council of Ministers.
Answer:

  • In the Constitution the words ‘Council of Ministers’ are used and not the word ‘Cabinet’.
  • The Cabinet is a part of the Council of Ministers. The Council of Ministers consist of all types of ministers. Their number is about 70. But the cabinet consists of only the cabinet ministers. The cabinet consists of about 25 members.

Question 24.
Mention any two functions of Council of Ministers.
Answer:

  1. Determination of National Policy: The pohcy of the Nation is formulated by the Cabinet. After taking office, the Cabinet is to formulate its internal and external pohcy according to which it is to run the administration of the State.
  2. Control over Administration: The administration of the country is to be run by the ministers. Every member of the Council of Ministers has one or more departments under his charge and he has to look after its working and administration.

Question 25.
How is the Prime Minister of India appointed?
Answer:
The President appoints the Prime Minister. He invites the leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha and appoints him the Prime Minister. If no single party has a majority, many parties may form a coalition to make a majority and elect a leader. Then the leader of the coalition will be appointed as the Prime Minister.

Question 26.
What are the functions of Prime Minister?
Answer:
The Prime Minister enjoys vast powers which have made his office very important and powerful. His powers and functions are as follows:

  • The first function of the Prime Minister is the formation of Council of Ministers. He has a free hand in the selection of ministers. Number of Council of Ministers depends upon him.
  • The Prime Minister distributes portfolios among the ministers.

PSEB 11th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 24 The Union Executive-President, Vice-President, Council of Ministers and Prime Minister

One Word to One Sentence Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
What is the term of the Prime Minister?
Answer:
The Prime Minister does not have a fixed tenure of office. He remains in office so long as he enjoys .the support of the majority party.

Question 2.
Mention any one power of the Prime Minister.
Answer:
The first and significant duty o$ the Prime Minister is the formation of the Council of Ministers.

Question 3.
Who is the leader of the Cabinet?
Answer:
The Prime Minister is the leader of the Cabinet.

Question 4.
Who was the first Prime Minister of India?
Answer:
Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru was the first Prime Minister of India.

Question 5.
Who is the link between the Council of Ministers and the President? Answer:The Prime Minister is the link between the Council of Ministers and the President.

PSEB 11th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 24 The Union Executive-President, Vice-President, Council of Ministers and Prime Minister

Fill in the blanks

1. The …………… of India is head of the state.
Answer:
President

2. Minimum age needed for the President is …………… .
Answer:
35 years

3. The term of office of the Indian President is …………… .
Answer:
Five years

4. Sh …………… appointed Prime Minister after 17th Lok Sabha.
Answer:
Narendra Modi.

PSEB 11th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 24 The Union Executive-President, Vice-President, Council of Ministers and Prime Minister

True or False statement

1. President is the head of the state.
Answer:
True.

2. Prime Minister is the head of the state.
Answer:
False

3. The tenure of the Cabinet is 10 years.
Answer:
False

4. Prime Minister form the Council of Minsters.
Answer:
True.

5. Prime Minister is the Chief Co-ordinator in the Cabinet.
Answer:
True.

PSEB 11th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 24 The Union Executive-President, Vice-President, Council of Ministers and Prime Minister

Choose The Correct Answer

Question 1.
Who will administer the oath of office to the person who is to take over as President?
(A) Chief Justice of High Court
(B) Vice-President
(C) Chief Justice of India
(D) Speaker.
Answer:
(C) Chief Justice of India

Question 2.
The Cabinet is responsible to the
(A) Prime Minister
(B) President
(C) Parliament
(D) Speaker.
Answer:
(C) Parliament

Question 3.
The Prime Minister is appointed by the:
(A) President
(B) Parliament
(C) Cabinet
(D) Supreme Court.
Answer:
(A) President

PSEB 11th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 24 The Union Executive-President, Vice-President, Council of Ministers and Prime Minister

Question 4.
The President of India is elected by:
(A) The Parliament
(B) The Assemblies
(C) The People
(D) The Electoral College.
Answer:
(D) The Electoral College.

Question 5.
The term of office of the Indian President is:
(A) 3 years
(B) 5 years
(C) 2 years
(D) 4 years.
Answer:
(B) 5 years

Question 6.
Minimum age needed for president is:
(A) 25 years
(B) 30 years
(C) 21 years
(D) 35 years.
Answer:
(D) 35 years.

PSEB 11th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 24 The Union Executive-President, Vice-President, Council of Ministers and Prime Minister

Question 7.
The tenure of the Prime Minister is:
(A) 5 yeafrs
(B) 6 years
(C) 4 years
(D) Not fixed.
Answer:
(D) Not fixed.

Question 8.
The Prime Minister presides over:
(A) Lok Sabha
(B) Rajya Sabha
(C) Cabinet
(D) Parliament.
Answer:
(C) Cabinet