The Bhoodan Movement : Acharya Vinoba Bhave started this movement on 18 April 1951. It aimed at creating a just and equitable social order. It wanted the re-distribution of excess lands from the landlords among the landless poor. It encouraged voluntary surrenders. The Central and State Governments enacted laws to fix ceilings on land holdings due to the awareness created by this movement. This movement focussed on the plight of the landless poor.
The Sarvodaya Movement : This was also started by Vinoba Bhave. It had the blessings of our national leaders. It aimed at the upliftment and welfare of all. Promotion of Cottage Industries and Khadi became the key areas of this movement. It wanted to bring a silent non-violent socio-economic revolution in India.
Development of Women : The position of women in India prior to independence was miserable. Several social legislations were passed since 1947 to improve their position. Our constitution guarantees equality of sexes. The other measures are as follows :
The Marriage Act of 1954 : This Act made inter-caste and interreligious marriages legal. It fixed the marriage age of boys 21 years and girls 18 years. Child marriage is punishable.
The Hindu Code Bill 1955 – 56 : This Bill is the Magna Carta in the history of women development in India. It explains about marriage,divorce, succession, guarandianship and adoption.
The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 : This Act made monogamy legal. It outlaws polygamy among all Hindus. It confers equal rights of divorce on both men and women.
The Hindu Succession Act, 1956 : This Act gave equal right to a daughter and her children to succeed equally with the son and his children to all the property of either parent.
The Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act, 1956 : This Act safeguards the mother’s right to be the natural guardian of her children. It also gives women the right to adopt a son or a daughter as in the case of men.
The Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, (Amended in 1984) : This Act protects women against dowry exploitations. Dowry demand is severely punished.
The Maternity Benefits Act, 1961 : This Act gives the working women the right to maternity leave.
The Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971 : This Act allows women to terminate pregnancy which would risk their physical and mental health.
The Equal Remuneration Act, 1976 : This Act provides for the payment of equal remuneration to women workers along with men. It prevents discrimination on grounds of sex in matters of employment.
Other Socio-Economic Programmes : The Government of India set up the Central Social Welfare Board in 1953. There are State Social Welfare Boards in every state. They promote the welfare of women, children and the poor. Physically handicapped women, widows, orphans and destitutes are taken care of by these bodies.
National Commission for Women Act, 1990 : A National Commission for Women was set up on 31 January 1992 according to this Act. It has a President, Secretary and other members. It hears complaints from women on refusal of rights, cruelties and other
atrocities. It redresses their grievances.
The Rashtriya Mahila Kosh or The National Credit Fund for Women : This was formed on 30 March 1993. Poor and needy women who form Self-Help Groups (SHG) to start an industry or occupation are assisted financially from this fund.
The Balika Samriddhi Yojana : This scheme was started on 2 October 1997. It was modified in 1999. Female children born to poor mother below poverty line benefit by this scheme. Every female child of this category is deposited with Rs.500/- in the post-office or bank. It can be used for educational or marriage purpose when they complete 18 years. Besides they are also given scholarships to study upto X Standard.
Swa – Shakti Project : This scheme came into operation from 16 October 1998. Self-Help Groups, formed by 15 to 20 women to start some productive work, are financially assisted by the Government through this scheme. There are many more steps taken by the Government and Non- Government Organisations (NGOs) aimed at the development of women in India. The U.N.O. announced 1978 as the International Women’s Year. In Tamil Nadu 30 percent jobs are reserved for women. Women are entitled to 33 per cent reservation in the Local Bodies. There are women officers, doctors, engineers, police,
Members of Legislative Assemblies (MLAs) and Members of Parliament (MPs). India has seen a woman Prime Minister, Governors and Chief Ministers. All these speak of the improvements in the position of women and the social progress achieved after independence.
Child Welfare : Child labour in India is a major social problem. Poor children are forced by circumstances to go for work. Our Constitution prevents the employment of children in industrial establishments. TheIndian Factories Act, 1948 prohibits employment of a boy or girl below 14 years in factories. The Plantation Labour Act, 1951 bans the employment of children below 12 years in coffee and rubber plantations. The Mines Act, 1952 restricts the employment of persons below 15 years in mines. Child Welfare Boards have been set up in all states according to the Children’s Act, 1960. The Female
Infanticide Act, 1961 prevents the killing of female children. It punishes the offenders. Many steps have been taken to eradicate child labour and educate them. Yet the problem exists in one part or other in the country due to several reasons.
Welfare of Depressed Classes : Social imbalance due to the caste system is another challenge to India. Our Constitution prevents discrimination in any form. The Untouchability Offences Act, 1955 awards punishment to those who practise untouchability. The Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities)
Act, 1989 provides severe punishment against atrocities to the S.C. and S.Ts. Apart from the legal measures the Central and State Governments follow the policy of reservation of posts in jobs and seats in educational institutions for the Scheduled castes, Scheduled Tribes and other Backward Classes. Educational scholarships, fee concessions, special and vocational training and hostels meant forthese classes have helped to bring harmonious social progress in India.
Welfare of the Minorities : The Indian Constitution gives right to the Minorities to establish educational institutions to promote their social and cultural rights. The National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992 provided for the set up of National and State Minorities Commissions. These measures have instilled a sense of security among the minority people in the country.
Welfare of the Disabled : The Government and Non-Government bodies work for the removal of physiscal disabilities. The Disabilities Act, 1955 was passed to take care of rehabilitating the disabled people. The Artificial Limb Manufacturing Corporation of India was set up at Kanpur in 1976. It produces artificial human parts for the handicapped. The National Handicapped Finance and Development Corporation was set up on 24 January 1997. It extends loans to the handicapped persons for education and employment.
Welfare of the Aged : There are Government and voluntary efforts to take care of the welfare of the aged people. Old Age Homes have been set up for their stay and comfort. The Government renders assistance to several of them.
Progress of Education : Education is the powerful means to bring social progress. Education helps to bring harmonious social development. The literacy rate in India stood at 16.1 per cent in 1951. Women education was badly neglected. Education received
good attention after independence. Both the Central and State Governments are responsible for the development of education in India. The Government of India appointed the University Education Commission in 1948 under the Chairmanship of Dr. S. Radhakrishnan. His birthday September 5 is celebrated as the Teacher’s Day every year. His report of 1949 led to the reorganization of our country’s educational system. Another Commission under Dr. A. Lakshmana Swamy Mudaliar was appointed in 1953. It made the school learning teaching – cum – activity based one. It wanted to make the aim of Secondary Education to produce ideal democratic citizens of India and the world. It emphasized the all round development of the child at the secondary level. The Kothari Commission or the National Education Commission was appointed in 1964. Its report of 1966 wanted to make the educational structure uniform in India. It gave importance to vocational, technical, engineering, agricultural and science education. The New Education Policy (NEP) of 1986 and the Programme of Action 1992 aimed to provide education of a satisfactory quality to all children upto 14 years of age before the start
of the 21 Century. Elementary education was given much importance in the post-independent years. Therefore the enrolment in elementary education increased form 42.6 per cent in 1951 to 94.9 per cent in 1999. Secondary education, Higher Education and University Education also received equal importance. There are more than 1.1lakh Secondary and Senior Secondary Institutions in India. There are more than 12,350 Colleges for General, Technical, Medical and Agricultural Education. More than 250 Universities exist in India. It isdue to the increase in enrolment and the number of institutions the literacy rate has gone up to more than 65 per cent by 2000 A.D. As a result of the social and educational progress in India after 1947, there has been a tremendous social change. The caste hierarchy has been dismantled. Social mobility has become possible. The benefits of modernization reach all sections of the society. An
egalitarian society is emerging in India.
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