Social Structure
Socio-Cultural Issues in Contemporary India
Notes
20 SOCIO-CULTURAL ISSUES IN CONTEMPORARY INDIA
I
n the previous lesson you have learnt about the social structure in India. You read about tribal, rural and urban societies, about stratification in terms of caste and class, about family, marriage, and the position of women in Indian society. The Indian society has evolved through the ages and advancements have taken place in diverse fields. You have also read in earlier lessons about social reforms in the Indian society. However, in every society there are socio-cultural issues that need to be addressed and tackled. Security of people, particularly of the vulnerable sections, such as women, children and the elderly people is a major concern in the contemporary Indian society. In this lesson, we will read about the major socio-cultural issues that need our immediate attention, if we have to preserve our social and cultural values. Some of the important socio-cultural issues that need to be addressed today are casteism, dowry, communalism, drinking, drug addiction, etc. The issues discussed here are not comprehensive. There are many other issues faced by the nation in general and regions and communities in particular, that all of us should think about. Can you make a list of other such issues?
OBJECTIVES
After reading this lesson you will be able to 290 list some major issues and problems of contemporary Indian society; discuss issues like caste system, dowry, substance abuse etc.; examine the issues related with vulnerable groups like the children, women and the elderly people; and discuss economic issues like poverty and unemployment.
Indian Culture and Heritage Secondary Course
Socio-Cultural Issues in Contemporary India
MODULE - VIII
Social Structure
20.1 CASTE SYSTEM
As you have already learnt in the previous lesson, there are four castes. Can you remember them? Write them here: 1. ______________; 2.