Q.1 How does urbanisation influence the quality of life and social dynamics in cities?

Ans.
Urbanisation refers to the population shift from rural to urban areas, the corresponding decrease in the proportion of people living in rural areas, and how societies adapt to this change.

• In 2023, approximately a third of the total population in India lived in cities.
• The trend shows an increase in urbanization by more than 4 per cent in the last decade.

The Various Significance of Urbanisation Are:

• Easier Access to Facilities
  Urban living is linked with higher levels of literacy and education, better health, longer life expectancy, greater access to social services and enhanced opportunities for cultural and political participation.
• Economic Opportunities
  Urban area provides more economic opportunities for skilled, semi-skilled or unskilled workers.
• Social Mobility
  The opportunities for upward social mobility offered by urban settings are an appealing prospect for many.
• Gender Equality
  Encourage the creation of women-centric jobs and ensure gender equality in urban planning and employment opportunities.
  ▪ Provide support services such as childcare and safe transportation to facilitate women’s participation in the workforce
• Cultural Harmony
  Urban areas harbour people from diverse castes, religions or regions, and promote culture or regional harmony.
• Enhance Quality of Life
  More economic opportunities and availability of basic amenities promote higher quality of life.

Challenges of Urbanisation:

• Slums and Health Issues
  The saturation of people in cities has led to the development of slum areas, which has subsequently increased pollution, spread diseases, and burden on the health sector.
• Unplanned Development
  The model of building a developed city comprises unplanned development, which only bolsters the dichotomy prevailing in urban cities between the rich and the poor.
• Social Tensions and Discrimination
  Migrants from rural to urban areas often face discrimination and marginalization in urban areas, leading to social tensions
  ▪ Competition for limited resources and opportunities can exacerbate divisions between migrants and long-term residents.
  ▪ E.g., increasing tension in Mumbai among locals and migrants from UP and Bihar over job opportunities.
  ▪ The Haryana State Legislative Assembly has passed the Haryana State Employment of Local Candidates Act, 2020, to provide 75% reservation in employment to local candidates.
• Policy and Governance Challenges
  Governments often struggle to effectively manage and integrate large influxes of migrants into urban areas. Policy gaps in areas such as housing, healthcare, and social welfare can leave migrants vulnerable and underserved.
  ▪ E.g., According to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, India’s urban housing shortage is ~19 million homes and is projected to reach 38 million by 2030 due to population growth and urbanization.
• Distort the Sex Ratio
  Male selective migration to the urban areas distorts the sex ratio in these cities.
• Difficult to Provide Basic Amenities
  Many cities in developing countries even find it extremely difficult to provide the minimum required quantity of potable water and water for domestic and industrial uses.
  ▪ E.g., the water crisis in Bengaluru

Way Forward:

• Comprehensive Urban Planning
  Develop and implement comprehensive urban planning strategies that ensure balanced development.
• Enhancing Public Services
  Strengthen public services such as healthcare, education, and sanitation to improve the quality of life for all urban residents, including migrants.
• Inclusive Policies
  Implement inclusive policies that address the needs of migrants and reduce social tensions.
• Policy and Governance
  Develop policies that address housing shortages, healthcare, and social welfare comprehensively. Encourage collaboration between government, private sector, and civil society.

Urban centres drive the Indian economy, and for their sustainable development, it is essential to comprehensively address all challenges by adopting the “Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas” policy.

Q.2 How can community-based programs help improve language and literacy skills in India’s villages and towns?

Ans.
A community-based program is an initiative designed to address the needs of a specific community and delivered within that community setting.

• It bridges the gap between traditional top-down approaches and the needs of the community.

Here are some effective ways these programs can make an impact:

• Increasing Accessibility
  Community programs bring learning closer to home by setting up classes in convenient locations within villages and towns.
  ▪ This makes learning more accessible, especially for those with irregular school attendance.
• Leveraging Local Resources
  Community programs can recruit local volunteers who can teach in the local language or dialect, making learning more relatable and fostering a more comfortable environment for students.
• Provide Flexibility in Learning
  Unlike traditional schooling, community programs provide flexible schedules that fit working individuals’ busy lives.
• Focusing on Practical Application
  These programs can move beyond rote learning and emphasize the practical application of language skills.
  ▪ This could involve activities like storytelling, role-playing, or group discussions on topics relevant to the community.
• Addressing Specific Needs
  These programs can be tailored to address the specific needs of the community.
  ▪ For instance, a program might focus on teaching functional literacy skills to adults or early childhood literacy skills for mothers.
• Monitoring and Evaluation
  Regularly assessing the progress of learners to identify areas needing improvement and to measure the impact of the program.

Examples of Some Community-Based Programs in India:

• Sikshaa (CRY) – Playful learning programs for young children in underprivileged communities.
• Vikramshila (Reliance Foundation) – Improves rural education in language and math through teacher training and resources.
• Centre for Learning Resources (CLR) – Uses storytelling and theatre for literacy programs in tribal areas.
• National Literacy Mission (NLM) – Supports community-based adult literacy and vocational training programs.
• ULLAS Scheme – It aims to empower those adults aged 15 years and above from all backgrounds who could not get due schooling and mainstream them with society to be able to contribute more to the growth story of the country.

Community-based programs tackle village literacy & language gaps through accessible learning, local resources, and practical skills. This empowers residents, improves education, and unlocks opportunities for all.

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