economics chapter 1 Vikas : Answers to Important Long Questions for

      long answer question?

Question 1. Briefly explain the comparative economic condition of Kerala, Punjab and Bihar.

Answer – The comparative economic condition of Kerala, Punjab and Bihar is explained by the following steps –

(i) Sex Ratio - The sex ratio per thousand males in Punjab, Bihar and Kerala is 793, 938 and 963 respectively. The sex ratio has decreased in Bihar and Punjab, but the sex ratio has increased in Kerala.

(ii) Position: Compared to Kerala and Bihar, Punjab is the best state to live in, while Kerala is on the second position and Bihar's position is not satisfactory from the point of view of living.

(iii) Primary education - Kerala ranks first in primary education, while Punjab is at 7th and Bihar at 20th position.

(iv) Death rate – Bihar has the highest death rate i.e. 7.9, while Punjab has 7.0 and Kerala has lower death rate than the national average.

(v) Infant Mortality Rate – Bihar has the highest infant mortality rate, while Kerala has the lowest mortality rate. Apart from this, Punjab is better than Bihar but not Kerala.

(vi) Primary health status – Kerala has secured the first position in primary health, while Punjab is at 7th and Bihar at 20th position. 

(vii) Index of poverty - Bihar is a poor state as compared to Punjab and Kerala .

(viii) Structure- In terms of structure, Punjab ranks first as compared to Kerala and Bihar, while Kerala and Bihar are at 7th and 20th position respectively. 

Question 2 Give the reasons for environmental degradation.

Answer – Causes of environmental degradation – The following are the reasons for environmental degradation –

1. Population explosion- One of the main reasons for environmental degradation is the tendency of population explosion in India. As a result of this, the pressure of population on the land has increased a lot and the land has started to be over-exploited. Due to population explosion, there has been a lot of deforestation to get land under forests.

2. Poverty of the people - The number of people below the poverty line in India is very high. These people cut down forests for their livelihood and exploit various types of natural resources.

3. Increasing Urbanization As a result of increasing urbanization, there has been a considerable increase in the number of houses and public facilities. As a result, land and other natural resources are being over-exploited.

4. Rapid industrialization - Rapid and rapid industrialization also promotes air, water and noise pollution. Smoke in particular is a dangerous pollutant. 

Question 3. What is the significance of Human Development Index?

Answer – Importance of Human Development Index – The following points show the importance of Human Development Index:

1. Helpful in increasing the development level of the country- Human Development Index increases the level of development of a country.

2. Helpful in getting higher ranking-It tells a country how far it has to go ahead to get higher ranking.

3. Helpful in economic welfare - Through this, it gives us information about the main elements of economic welfare like life expectancy, adult education rate, level of education, per capita income etc.

4. Helpful in measuring the development level of both the countries - With the help of this, the development level of two or more countries can be compared. 

Question 4. Explain the role of health in development.

Answer – Health is a social structure, which indirectly helps in economic development by making available a healthy, fit and active workforce. Physically and mentally healthy manpower is a valuable asset, in which the entire production process is functional. Man is an important element of the production process. Economic growth can be achieved more easily, faster, if we are healthy and skilled. As an old saying goes, “A healthy mind resides in a healthy body.” Therefore physical health means mental health. The combination of these two increases the productivity and efficiency of human resources.

Question 5. What is Human Development Index? Describe the basic components used to measure human development.

Answer – Human Development Index is such a parameter by which the place of different countries of the world is determined on the basis of achievements in the socio-economic field. Through this criterion, the United Nations succeeded in gaining knowledge of the comparative progress of different countries. This was done so that some such countries could be helped which is necessary for their development. In its first Human Development Report in 1990, the United Nations Development Program used the 'Human Development Index' to assess the achievements of various countries in the socio-economic field of the world.

Basic components of measuring human development – ​​Human development is a broad concept. It includes the development of economic, social, political life of man. The United Nations has made three main components the basis for measuring human development-

1. Long life - According to the Human Development Index, the countries which have higher life expectancy will be considered as developed countries. It does not only involve longevity but living a good and healthy life is also necessary for development. A physically and mentally healthy person can work for the development of the country.

2. Education or knowledge – The more people are literate in a country, the higher the level of development of that country. A literate person can play an important role in the development of the country.

3. Standard of living - The country whose per capita income is high, that country will be counted at a higher level in the category of development, because people in such a country will not only fulfill their needs but also create a good standard of living which is essential for development. .

The United Nations Development Program evaluated 173 countries of the world on the basis of Human Development Index. On this basis, 53 countries were placed in the category of high human development, 84 countries in the medium category and 26 countries in the low category. India ranks 126th in this list.

Question 6. UNDP's method of measuring development. In what aspects is the criteria of the World Bank different from the criteria?

OR What are the characteristics of a developed country? Explain.

OR Describe any three characteristics of developed countries.

Answer – The World Bank's criteria for measuring development is based on 'income' only. There are several limitations of this parameter. Apart from income, there are many other parameters which are necessary to measure development, because human beings do not think only about sufficient income, but they also think about other goals like their security, getting respect and equal treatment from others, freedom etc. contemplates.

UNDP The following criteria were adopted for development in the Human Development Report published by:

1. Health of the people- The main parameter of human development is health or longevity. The higher the life expectancy of the people of different countries, the more developed the country will be considered from the point of view of human development.

2. Educational Level – Another important parameter of human development is the educational level. The higher the literacy rate in a country, the more developed it will be considered, and if this rate is less, then that country will be called underdeveloped.

 3. Per Capita Income - Per capita income is the third parameter of human development. In a country where the per capita income is high, the standard of living of the people in that country will also be good and a good standard of living is the hallmark of development. In countries where the per capita income of the people is low, the standard of living of the people will also not be good. Such a country cannot be considered as a developed country.

Question 7. Which sources of energy are used by the people of India? Find out What could be the possibilities 50 years from now?

Answer – The details of the current sources of energy being used by the people of India   are as follows-

1. Natural gas- Natural gas is also now being used a lot as a source of power. Gas is transported to distant places with the help of pipes. Due to this many industrial units are running.

2. Hydropower-It is a renewable resource of energy. It is by far the cheapest of all resources. It is used extensively in homes, offices and industrial units.

3. Coal – Coal is used as a fuel and as a raw material in industries. Steam engines that use coal are used in railways and industries.

4. Mineral oil- Mineral oil is used in road transport, ships, aircraft etc. Diesel, kerosene, petrol etc. are obtained by refining the oil.

5. Other sources of energy - There are some sources of energy which have been used since some time ago. All these sources are renewable. Such as wind energy, solar energy, biogas, geothermal energy etc.

Most of the traditional sources of energy have been in use for a long time. All these sources are non-renewable, that is, they get exhausted once used. It is not possible to replenish them. In the coming 50 years, if these resources continue to be used like this, they will be exhausted. If we have to save these resources, then we have to find new and renewable sources of energy and use them more and more.

Question 8. Why is the issue of sustainability important for development? 

Answer-Sustainability means sustainable sustainable development, that is, such a development which is not limited to the present generation, but also to the generations to come. Scientists say that the way we are using the resources, it seems that the resources will get exhausted soon and will not be left for future generations. If we have to make development sustainable, that is to continue, we have to use resources in such a way that the process of development continues and resources are left for future generations.

The concept of sustainability is important for development because of the following reasons: 

(1) It takes into account the future requirements.

 (2) It encourages judicious use of natural resources.

 (3) It gives importance to quality life.