Read the following passage and answer the questions below:
"In the history of nation-building only the Soviet experiment bears
comparison with the Indian. There too, a sense of unity had to be forged
between many diverse ethnic groups, religious, linguistic communities
and social classes. The scale – geographic as well as demographic
– was comparably massive. The raw material the state had to work with
was equally unpropitious: a people divided by faith and driven by debt
and disease." — RAMACHANDRA GUHA
(a) List the commonalities that the author mentions between India
and Soviet Union and give one example for each of these from
India.
(b) The author does not talk about dissimilarities between the two
experiments. Can you mention two dissimilarities?
(c) In retrospect which of these two experiments worked better and
why?
Answers
Answer:
commonalities between India and Soviet Union:
1. (a) Commonalities between India and Soviet Union:
(i) Both the nations were shaped on the basis of religion majority. Example formation of India and Pakistan
(ii) To work for the welfare of the nation many technological and economic reforms were brought in both nations.
2. (b) Dissimilarities:
(i) Soviet Union was divided into 15 independent republics/countries to be disintegrated. (ii) India maintained its unity and integrity even among diversified nature of states and peoples without any more division.
(c) The Indian experiment worked better to promote linguistic and cultural plurality without affecting unity and integrity of the nation though India adopted some diplomatic measures to make country united.
Explanation:
Answer:
(a) The states in both the countries were based on the grounds of geaographical boundaries as well as language. Also, Economic and technological developments took place oin both the countries.
(b) India remained united inspite of diversity of religions, cultures and languages whereas Soviet Union disintegrated into 15 independent countries.
(c) Out of the two experiments, Indian experiment worked better in making India a democratic country with unity in diversity although it had to adopt some diplomatic measures.