Class VI Notes (Contd)

Understanding Diversity / Prejudice, Discrimination and Inequality

Q4. ‘India is a land of diversity’. Explain.

A4. i) Diversity in India exists in the form of culture, traditions, caste, community, religion,
region, language, festivals etc.
ii) The varied topography has influenced the climate and in turn, the diet, dress, customs and
culture of the people.

Q5. How does diversity enrich our lives?

A5. i. Diversity is an integral part of our lives as it teaches us to be tolerant and respect
everyone., irrespective of their caste or creed.
ii. It leads to a strong feeling of oneness and unity which has been proven in the past in our
struggle for freedom from the British rule.
iii. This feeling exists even today and can be seen in international sporting events, eg the
Olympic games.

Q6. (a) Explain the term ‘prejudice’.

(b) Give some negative consequences of being prejudice.
Ans: (a) Prejudice is an unreasonable opinion about a person which is formed without much
thought or knowledge. It is based on false opinions and beliefs that exist in people’s minds.
(b) (i) Prejudice results in dislike or unfair behavior towards others based on unfair opinions.
(ii) It limits our thinking and causes disharmony among people.
(iii) It prevents us from giving due respect to people who deserve and are entitled to it.
Q7. Define Stereotype and state its demerits.
Ans: (i) A stereotype is a fixed idea that people have about someone or something which is
often not there. In many ways it is like a prejudice and results in people discriminating
against each other.
(ii) Stereotype stops us from looking at each person as a unique person and we tend to ignore
all his good qualities.
(iii) It does not let us think about any individual beyond the set image.