Pillars of Democracy is a speech delivered by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar has laid emphasis on the values of liberty, equality, and fraternity. According to him, these principles will make India a strong nation. He is of the view that hero-worship is a sure road to degradation and to eventual dictatorship and the collapse of a nation.
ICE BREAKERS on Pillars of Democracy
(i) Discuss with your partner and choose the correct alternative.
‘Government of the people, by the people and for the people, shall not perish from the earth’. This famous statement is made by –
(a) Mahatma Gandhi (b) Nelson Mandela
(c) Abraham Lincoln (d) Dalai Lama
(ii) A system where the government is elected and ruled by people is called-
(a) Bureaucracy (b) Aristocracy (c) Democracy (d) Autocracy
(iii) A democratic country is governed by, its-
(a) Military (b) Police (c) Politicians (d) Constitution
(i) The trinity of democracy comprises three principles. Complete the web to show the trinity of democracy.
(ii) Match the following.
| Sr. No. | Column A. | Column B. |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Constitution | a. It is the freedom to go where you want, do what you want etc. |
| 2. | Liberty | b. It is the state of being equal, especially in status, rights or opportunities. |
| 3. | Equality | c. It is the sense of common brotherhood. |
| 4. | Fraternity | d. It is an aggregate of fundamental principles or established precedents that constitute the legal basis of a polity, organization or other type of entity and commonly determine how that entity is to be governed. |
Ans : 1.Constitution ___ d. It is an aggregate of fundamental principles or established precedents that constitute the legal basis of a polity, organization or other type of entity and commonly determine how that entity is to be governed.
2.Liberty ____ a. It is the freedom to go where you want,do what you want etc.
3.Equality ____ b. It is the state of being equal, especially in status, rights or opportunities.
4.Fraternity ____ c. It is the sense of common brotherhood.
(iii) Pillars form a support for concrete buildings. Metaphorically speaking a strong nation too depends on strong pillars. Discuss with your partner and explain the pillars of a democratic nation. Make a list of obstacles that are a threat to the progress of a nation.
Ans.
Democratic nation rests on four pillars. These are legislation, administration, judiciary and press. For the smooth running of democracy laws are made. It is done by legislative body. The implementation of laws and government policies is taken care of by administration. To assure people about justice there is judiciary department. When these three pillars tremors , the press keeps watch on them.A list of obstacles1. Corruption2. Population Explosion3. Environment degradation
Glossary and Notes from Pillars of Democracy
Brainstorming on Pillars of Democracy
(A1) (i) Form groups and use the following topics for discussion. Take the help of your college library and your teacher.
• Need for democracy
• Features of the Constitution of India
• Freedom of speech
• Dictatorship Vs Democracy
• Qualities of an ideal politician
• Equality before law
(ii) Read the prose Pillars of Democracy and state whether the following statements are true or false. Correct the false statements.
(a) There is nothing wrong in being grateful to great men. True
(b) Hero-worship leads to dictatorship. True
(c) Liberty cannot be divorced from equality.True
(d) One man one vote and one vote one value. True
(e) Fraternity means common sense. False Correct : Fraternity means common brotherhood.
(iii) In his speech, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar has expressed his deep concern over the absence of two things in the then Indian society. Discuss with your partner and complete the web.
(A2) (i) Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar has cited the quotes by John Stuart Mill and Daniel O’Connel. Go through the lesson and write down 4 to 5 lines for each of them.
Ans: John Stuart Mill advocates not to loose liberty at any cost, not for anybody else. Liberty is a precious gift got with a strenuous struggle and assured with constitution. According to Irish Patriot Daniel O’Connel chastity is important for woman, honour for man and freedom for nation. Nothing is greater than these three principles in the life .
(ii) Discuss with your partner and make a list of steps that you feel are essential to unite the people of different castes, race, religions and languages in India.
Ans: Social equality as well as economic equality must be brought at the earliest possible. Secondly liberty for all to learn, to speak, to earn is one more step to unite people. A sense of common brotherhood over the language, caste, creed , race, region and religion.
(iii) Write your views/opinions in brief on the following topics.
(a) We must always cast our vote.
(b) Liberty, equality and fraternity lead to an ideal nation.
(c) Steps to be taken to eradicate inequality.
(d) Role of youth in creating social awareness.
(A3) (i) Let’s use the Thesaurus.
Along with your partner, go to library or search the internet for a standard Thesaurus to complete the following table. One is done for you.
| Sr. No. | Word | Type. | Synonym | Antonym |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | observe | verb | notice, discern, detect, mark | overlook, ignore |
| 2. | abandoned | adj | forsaken, left | adopted, cherished |
| 3. | grateful | adj | indebted, obliged | ungrateful, thankless |
| 4. | initiative | noun | leadership, | lethargy, apathy, idleness |
| 5. | peril | noun | danger, destruction, hazard | safety, protection, security |
| 6. | separation | noun | partition, split, break, rupture | union, connection, attachment |
(ii) Homograph : Homograph is a word spelt and pronounced like another word but with a different meaning. For example: the word ‘fast’ has two meanings.
The different meanings are-
fast- hold firmly
fast- to abstain from food
fast- opposite of slow.
Go through the text again and make a list of meanings of all the homographs that are found in the text. Also make a list of such words that you know, heard or read somewhere.
Examples of Homograph
Bat – a type of sports equipment
Bat – an animal.
Bass – a type of fish
Bass – a genre for music.
Bow – a weapon for shooting arrows
Bow – a formal way of greeting or showing respect.
Close – to be near something
Close – to shut.
Crane – a bird
Crane – a machine used at construction sites
Minute – small
Minute – a unit of time.
Park – a public play area
Park – to bring a vehicle to a stop and leave it temporarily.
Pen – an object which is used for writing
Pen – a small area in which animals are kept.
Tear – to rip something
Tear – the liquid that flows from the eyes when crying.
Saw – a sharp tool used
Saw – cutting hard materials or past tense for the word “see
(A4) (i) Go through the statement taken from the text –
‘The social democracy means a way of life which recognises liberty, equality and fraternity’.
The italic part of the statement provides us some fact/information about social democracy. The remaining part or the sentence which is not italicized can be converted into a wh-question.
What does social democracy mean?
Now go through the italicized part of the statements/sentences given below and change them into questions by using the appropriate Wh-forms.
(a) In Politics we will be recognizing the principle of ‘one man one vote’ and ‘one vote one value’.
Ans : Which principle will we be recognizing in politics?
(b) The politically minded Indians preferred the expression ‘the Indian nation’.
Ans: Which expression did the politically minded Indians prefer?
(c) Fraternity means a sense of common brotherhood of all Indians.
Ans: What does fraternity mean?
More Activities on Pillars of Democracy Set 1
A1. Complete the table about a life of contradiction .
| ……. | In Social & Economic Life |
|---|---|
| … | … |
| one vote one value | … |
Ans;
| In politics | In social & Economic Life |
|---|---|
| equality | inequality |
| one vote one value | Deny one man one value |
A2. Fraternity leads to the social stability. Explain the statement.
A3. Mention two things to save democracy.
A4. Write antonyms of the following words :
1. deny 2. peril 3. common 4. unity 5. bless 6. importing 7. social 8. national
A5. Give your opinion about the need of democracy.
A6. Rewrite as instructed
1. Identify the type of questions.
a. How long shall we continue to live this life of contradiction ?
b. What does fraternity mean?
2. We must remove this contradiction at the earliest possible moment. ( Begin with – This contradiction …..)
Activity Set 2 on Pillars of Democracy
A1. Complete the following statements.
a) We must hold fast to ……………. to achieve our social and economic objectives.
b) …………………. are the Grammar of Anarchy.
c) John Stuart Mill has given caution regarding the maintenance of ………………..
d) No man can be grateful at the cost of his ………………..
A2 Give reason: The caution by the Irish Patriot Daniel is more necessary in India.
A3 Complete :
Bhakti in religion —————-
Bhakti in politics —————-
A4 Write two different meanings of following homophones.
1. form. a. ……….. b …………..
2. left a. ………… b …………..
A5. Suggest ways to make India strong nation.
A6. Language Study
Rewrite as instructed
1. There is nothing wrong in being grateful to great men. ( Rewrite as rhetorical question)
2. The sooner they are abandoned, the better for us. ( Explain the use of definite article ‘the’ )
Activity Set 3
Activity 1: True or False
Read the statements carefully and write True or False.
1. Dr. Ambedkar supports unconstitutional methods to achieve social and economic objectives.
2. According to the extract, Bhakti in politics can lead to dictatorship.
3. John Stuart Mill advised people to trust great men blindly with powers.
4. The extract suggests that political equality will be accompanied by social and economic equality.
5. The speaker warns against the dangers of hero-worship in Indian politics.
1. False Dr. Ambedkar supports constitutional methods, not unconstitutional ones.
2. He warns that Bhakti in politics can lead to dictatorship.True
3. False – Mill advises against blindly trusting great men with power.
4. False – The extract states that political equality will exist, but social and economic inequality will remain.
5. He warns against excessive hero-worship in Indian politics. True
Activity 2: Choose the Correct statements
a) The extract emphasizes following constitutional methods to achieve social and economic objectives.
b) John Stuart Mill advised against surrendering liberties to great leaders.
c) The extract warns that Bhakti or hero-worship in politics can lead to dictatorship.
d) Political equality in India does not necessarily mean social and economic equality.
correct Statements:
✅ a) The extract emphasizes following constitutional methods to achieve social and economic objectives.
✅ d) Political equality in India does not necessarily mean social and economic equality.
Activity 3: Flowchart Completion
Complete the flowchart based on the ideas presented in the extract.
Step 1:
↓
Step 2: Avoid unconstitutional methods as they lead to anarchy.
↓
Step 3:
↓
Step 4: .
↓
Step 5:
1. Follow constitutional methods to achieve objectives.
2. Avoid unconstitutional methods, as they lead to anarchy.
3. Be cautious of blind devotion to great leaders.
4. Excessive hero-worship can lead to dictatorship and degradation.
5. India will experience political equality but social and economic inequality.
Activity 4: Do as Directed
1. “No nation can be grateful at the cost of its liberty.” (Rewrite as Interrogative Sentence or rhetorical question.)
Can any nation be grateful at the cost of its liberty?
2. “We must do is to hold fast to constitutional methods.” (Replace the modal auxiliary with another indicating advice. )
We should hold fast to constitutional methods.
Activity 5: Vocabulary
1. A system of government by a dictator – Dictatorship
2. A state of disorder due to the absence of authority – Anarchy
3. The ability to act freely without restrictions – Liberty
4. Showing deep respect and admiration – Devotion
Activity 6: Personal Response
(Answers may vary. Here are model responses.)
1. Why do you think Dr. Ambedkar warns against hero-worship in politics? Do you agree with his views?
Dr. Ambedkar warns against hero-worship because it leads to blind faith in leaders, allowing them to misuse power and weaken democracy. I agree because history has shown that excessive admiration for leaders can lead to dictatorship and corruption.
2. How do you relate the concept of political equality and social inequality in today’s India?
In India, democracy ensures political equality through voting rights, but social and economic inequalities still exist due to poverty, caste discrimination, and gender bias. Many people do not have equal access to education, healthcare, and job opportunities.
3. Do you think following constitutional methods is always the right approach to bring social change? Why or why not?
Yes, constitutional methods ensure stability and fairness, but sometimes reforms take too long. Non-violent protests, like Gandhi’s movements, have been effective in bringing change when legal methods were slow. However, violence or unconstitutional methods can harm society.
4. Can a nation progress without great leaders? Justify your answer.
While great leaders inspire and guide a nation, true progress depends on the participation of all citizens. A nation with strong institutions, educated citizens, and democratic values can progress even without relying on a single leader.
Test on Vocabulary from Pillars of Democracy
- Other Sources for Std.11
- Upon Westminster Bridge
FAQ
Which are the four pillars of democracy?
Ans. The four pillars of democracy are legislative, executive, judiciary and media.
Which is the theme of pillars of democracy?
Ans. Importance of liberty, equality and fraternity. They are interdependent.
Who has written pillars of democracy’?
Ans. Pillars of Democracy is a script of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar’s speech.
What does 4 pillars mean?
Ans. As 4 pillars are needed to support the building, the nation also needs supporting pillars. In Indian democracy executive system, legislative system and judiciary system are the three strong pillars. The media is the fourth pillar.
What is the definition of democracy?
Ans : A system in which the government of a country is elected by the people
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