All questions of National Integration for BPSC (Bihar) Exam

The role of elite-mass linkage in national integration is essential for fostering a sense of unity and cohesion within a nation. It refers to the relationship and interaction between the political elites (such as government officials, leaders of political parties, and influential figures in society) and the general public.

1. Promotes Shared Goals and Values:
Elite-mass linkage plays a crucial role in national integration by promoting shared goals and values among the citizens. Through their interactions and communication, political elites can articulate and disseminate a common vision for the nation, emphasizing the importance of unity, social harmony, and national identity.

2. Mediates Between Government and Citizens:
Elite-mass linkage serves as a bridge between the government and the citizens. It enables the political elites to understand and address the concerns, aspirations, and needs of the general public. By actively engaging with the masses, the elites can act as representatives, advocates, and mediators, fostering a sense of inclusivity and ensuring that the government's policies and decisions align with the interests of the people.

3. Facilitates Political Participation and Representation:
Elite-mass linkage also facilitates political participation and representation. By establishing channels of communication, political elites can encourage the active involvement of the masses in political processes, such as voting, participating in public debates, and joining political organizations. This inclusion of diverse voices and perspectives enhances democratic governance and strengthens the bonds between different sections of society.

4. Builds Trust and Legitimacy:
Effective elite-mass linkage helps build trust and legitimacy in the government and its institutions. When political elites are responsive to the concerns of the masses, it enhances the credibility and acceptance of the government's authority. This, in turn, promotes national integration by fostering a sense of shared ownership and confidence in the collective future of the nation.

5. Counters Regionalism and Linguism:
Elite-mass linkage plays a crucial role in countering regionalism and linguism, which can be divisive forces within a country. By promoting a national identity and emphasizing the importance of unity, political elites can mitigate the tendencies towards regional or linguistic identities. They can highlight the shared history, cultural heritage, and common interests that bind the nation together, thereby fostering national integration.

In conclusion, elite-mass linkage is an essential factor in promoting national integration. It helps establish shared goals and values, facilitates political participation and representation, builds trust and legitimacy, and counters regional and linguistic divisions. By actively engaging with the masses and articulating a common vision, political elites play a vital role in fostering a sense of unity and cohesion within a nation.

The correct answer is option C, 1961.

- The National Integration Council (NIC) is a non-statutory advisory body that was constituted to address issues related to national integration in India. It acts as a forum for dialogue and deliberation on matters of national importance and aims to promote unity, harmony, and social cohesion in the country.

- The NIC was first constituted in the year 1961 by the Government of India. It was established in response to the need for a platform where leaders from various political, social, and religious backgrounds could come together to discuss and resolve issues related to national integration.

- The formation of the NIC was prompted by the growing concerns about communal tensions and regional conflicts that were prevalent in the country during that time. The government recognized the importance of fostering a sense of national unity and inclusiveness among the diverse population of India.

- The NIC is chaired by the Prime Minister of India and consists of members from different political parties, religious groups, social organizations, and other stakeholders. It provides a platform for open and constructive discussions on issues such as communal harmony, linguistic and regional integration, social justice, and equal opportunities for all citizens.

- The NIC meets periodically to deliberate on various matters and make recommendations to the government. It plays a crucial role in promoting mutual understanding, tolerance, and cooperation among different sections of society. The council also helps in formulating policies and programs aimed at promoting national integration and strengthening the fabric of the nation.

In conclusion, the National Integration Council was first constituted in the year 1961 to address issues related to national integration in India. It serves as a platform for dialogue and deliberation among leaders from various backgrounds and plays a crucial role in promoting unity, harmony, and social cohesion in the country.

Objective of the National Integration Council in India

The main objective of the National Integration Council (NIC) in India is:

Promote guiding principles of the idea of India:
- The NIC aims to promote the guiding principles of the idea of India, which include unity in diversity, inclusiveness, equal rights for all, and the philosophy of coexistence and tolerance.
- It works towards fostering national integration by emphasizing the importance of respecting and celebrating the diverse cultures, languages, religions, and traditions that exist within the country.
- By promoting these principles, the NIC strives to strengthen the unity and cohesion of the nation and prevent any divisive forces from creating societal rifts.

Importance of promoting these principles:
- In a country as diverse as India, where people from various backgrounds coexist, promoting unity in diversity is crucial for maintaining peace and harmony.
- Embracing inclusiveness and equal rights for all citizens helps in ensuring that every individual feels valued and respected, regardless of their differences.
- The philosophy of coexistence and tolerance is essential for fostering a spirit of mutual understanding and acceptance among different communities, contributing to the overall well-being of the nation.

Conclusion
The National Integration Council plays a vital role in upholding the core principles that define the idea of India. By promoting unity in diversity, inclusiveness, equal rights, and the philosophy of coexistence and tolerance, the NIC contributes to the nation's unity and strength, ensuring a harmonious and cohesive society.

What is Linguism?
Linguism refers to both efforts to promote one's mother tongue and efforts to destroy the basis of a multilingual society. It encompasses a range of attitudes and behaviors towards language diversity.

Efforts to Promote One's Mother Tongue
- Linguism includes initiatives aimed at preserving and promoting one's mother tongue.
- This can involve advocating for the inclusion of the language in education, media, and public discourse.
- Promoting one's mother tongue can help maintain cultural identity and foster a sense of belonging within a community.

Efforts to Destroy the Basis of a Multilingual Society
- On the other hand, linguism also encompasses actions that seek to undermine linguistic diversity.
- This may involve discrimination against speakers of certain languages, policies that favor one language over others, or attempts to suppress minority languages.
- Such efforts can lead to the marginalization of linguistic minorities and the erosion of cultural heritage.

Both A and B
- It is important to recognize that linguism can involve both efforts to promote one's mother tongue and efforts to undermine linguistic diversity.
- Balancing the promotion of linguistic diversity with the preservation of cultural heritage is key to creating inclusive and equitable societies.
In conclusion, linguism is a complex phenomenon that encompasses both efforts to promote one's mother tongue and efforts to undermine linguistic diversity. By recognizing and addressing linguism, societies can work towards creating environments that celebrate and respect linguistic diversity.

The correct answer is option 'C', which states that cyber-security threat is not considered or confronted by the National Integration Council. The National Integration Council (NIC) is a government body in India that aims to address and resolve issues related to the integration of diverse communities and regions of the country. It was established in 1961 and consists of representatives from political parties, religious groups, academia, and civil society.

Linguism:
Linguism refers to discrimination or prejudice based on language. In a country as linguistically diverse as India, where multiple languages are spoken, language-based discrimination can be a significant challenge to national integration. The National Integration Council recognizes the importance of addressing linguism and works towards promoting harmony and equality among different linguistic communities.

Casteism:
Casteism is a social issue deeply rooted in the Indian society, where individuals are discriminated against based on their caste. The caste system has been a long-standing challenge to national integration, as it creates social divisions and hinders the progress and unity of the country. The National Integration Council recognizes the importance of eradicating casteism and works towards creating a more inclusive and equal society.

Threat of Regional Violence:
The threat of regional violence refers to conflicts and tensions between different regions or states within the country. Regionalism can sometimes lead to violence and disruption of peace, which poses a challenge to national integration. The National Integration Council aims to address and resolve such regional tensions through dialogue, negotiation, and policy interventions.

Cyber-security Threat:
Cyber-security threats, on the other hand, are not directly related to national integration. While cyber-security is an important issue for the overall security and well-being of the nation, it is not specifically within the purview of the National Integration Council. Cyber-security threats are typically addressed by specialized agencies and departments, such as the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, and various law enforcement agencies.

In conclusion, the National Integration Council primarily focuses on addressing issues related to linguism, casteism, and the threat of regional violence. While cyber-security is an important concern, it falls under the domain of specialized agencies and departments rather than the National Integration Council.

Explanation:

Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are individually true, but R is not the correct explanation of A. Let's break down the statement and analyze each part:

Assertion (A): Regionalism in Indian politics reflects the cultural diversity of the country.

This statement is true. India is a culturally diverse country with a rich heritage and a diverse population comprising various ethnic, linguistic, and religious groups. This diversity is reflected in the regional politics of India, where political parties and leaders often align themselves with specific regional identities and issues. Regionalism in Indian politics is a manifestation of the cultural diversity and distinct identities present within the country.

Reason (R): Political leaders whip up ethnic identities.

This statement is also true. In Indian politics, political leaders often try to mobilize support by appealing to ethnic identities and regional aspirations. They may use language, symbols, and cultural references associated with specific regions or communities to establish a connection with the electorate. By emphasizing regional identities, political leaders can gain support and consolidate their vote bank within a particular region. However, this reason alone does not fully explain why regionalism exists in Indian politics.

Analysis:

While it is true that political leaders whip up ethnic identities to gain support, it is not the only reason for the existence of regionalism in Indian politics. Regionalism is deeply rooted in the diverse cultural, linguistic, and historical backgrounds of different regions in India. It is a reflection of the aspirations, grievances, and demands of the people belonging to specific regions. Factors such as economic disparities, historical grievances, linguistic differences, and cultural distinctiveness also contribute to the rise of regionalism in Indian politics.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Assertion (A) is true as regionalism in Indian politics reflects the cultural diversity of the country. Reason (R) is also true as political leaders do whip up ethnic identities to gain support. However, Reason (R) alone does not provide a comprehensive explanation for the existence of regionalism in Indian politics. Therefore, the correct answer is option 'B' - Both A and R are individually true but R is not the correct explanation of A.