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Trip Theme
100
Why was the publication of the Radcliffe Line delayed until 2 days after independence from Britain?
The British wanted to deflect blame for the accompanying riots and violence from themselves
100
What event catalyzed India's Americanization?
In the early 1990's, India liberalized its economy
100
What is the normal role of the President?
This is normally a ceremonial role, originally modelled on the British monarch to "advise, encourage and warn" the elected government on constitutional matters
100
How has access to infrastructure like gas power and amenities like brick and cement affected the rural economy?
Instead of spending time on survival tasks, people can turn their energy to starting businesses and escaping subsistence farming
100
Why are migrants in the informal sector often overlooked in the planning and vision of urban development?
There is an unsaid understanding about an ideal city dweller as belonging to a certain social and economic class, who is conceived as the resident around whom the bulk of urban planning and development is focused. Migrants are labeled by goverments and middle class urbanites as “outsiders,” “encroachers,” “illegal occupants,” and “criminals.”
200
Why did Kashmir not decide to join Pakistan despite having a Muslim majority and being contiguous with Pakistan?
Kashmir's ruler, a Hindu, wanted to keep Kashmir neutral and independent from both
200
What are 3 tangible signs of India's Americanization?
(1) An increase in the availability of American brands, (2) a noticeable surge in the population of American businessmen (and their booming voices) in the corridors of five-star hotels, and (3) a striking use of American idiom and American accents
200
What was the original philosophy of the most dominant political party, the Indian National Congress (INC), and what is the philosophy of its successor, Congress (I)?
Original: moderate socialism and a planned, mixed economy. Successor: deregulation, privatisation and foreign investment.
200
According to the author, what is the best way for India to speed up the formalization of its economy?
Extend the reach of the financial system. In return for coming into the formal economy and paying taxes, firms would get access to capital
200
Why are migrants often unable to access basic goods and services in the cities, and how do they access them instead?
This access requires a host of official documents, such as property lease or ownership papers, PAN cards, bank statements, bills, and voter IDs, which migrants lack. Bereft of these, the paperless migrant accesses basic goods and services at a premium in the black market economy.
300
What event in May 1998 raised tensions between India and Pakistan?
India, then Pakistan, conducted successful test explosions of atomic bombs, raising the specter of fratricide by nuclear war.
300
What are 3 intangible signs of India's Americanization?
(1) An energy, (2) a can-do ambition, and (3) an entrepreneurial spirit
300
How is conflict between the two houses of the legislative branch settled?
A joint sitting of the two houses is held. If there is a conflict which cannot be resolved even by the joint committee of the two houses, it is solved in the joint session of the Parliament, where the will of the Lok Sabha almost always prevails, since the Lok Sabha is more than twice as large as the Rajya Sabha.
300
What are the costs of having a large informal sector?
Fewer people paying taxes, low central bank control over the economy and inflation, limited economies of scale
300
What are the 4 parts of the solution to more inclusive urban development cited by the author?
(1) Inclusive policies, (2) proper execution & enforcement of policies, (3) acceptance of the permanence of the poor migrant population, and (4) creating a collective identity among migrants.
400
How did Radcliffe create the Radcliffe line?
Following existing religious subdivisions and generally following rivers
400
What does the author of the article describe as 4 downsides of Americanization?
(1) Abandoned agriculture, (2) weakened social bonds, (3) loss of traditional positions of authority, and (4) the resulting lawlessness and violence
400
What is the trend in state versus national politics?
Over the years, India has evolved from a highly centralised state dominated by one political party to an increasingly fragmented nation, more and more influenced by regional parties and more and more governed locally by unstable multi-party alliances.
400
What proportion of output and jobs does the informal sector represent?
50% of output and over 90% of jobs
400
How has traditional social structure been changed in urban areas?
While cities may be melting pots that have arguably helped mitigate traditional caste-based discrimination, urban spaces are generating newer forms of inequalities and exclusions that go beyond caste. In urban India, one’s social and economic class has become the new caste.
500
What does the line of actual control represent?
It divides territory held by India but claimed by Pakistan from territory held by China but claimed by India
500
How did the writer R. K. Narayan compare India and America in his travels more than 50 years ago?
India emphasizes austerity and simple day-to-day living, while America emphasizes material acquisition and the limitless pursuit of prosperity
500
What is one reason given for why India's consitution is one of the most amended in the world with more than 80 changes?
A long-running dispute between the Parliament and the Supreme Court over parliamentary sovereignty vs judicial review of laws and constitutional amendments
500
What do urban skeptics say of the rural economic boom, and what data contradicts the skeptics?
The rural boom is due to unsustainable handouts, in particular a government scheme to guarantee work for the rural poor. However, this scheme only costs 0.3% of GDP.
500
What is one example of inclusive policy the author cites as proof of progress and beneficial to migrants in the informal sector?
The Right to Education Act has been a landmark intervention which has opened up private educational establishments to other economically weaker sections.