Page 124 - SST Class 08

movement demanding an independent state. INDIA ON THE MOVE
This powerful separatist The Challenges Ahead
movement is led by the India has progressed a lot during the last few
Liberation Tigers of Tamil decades. There is, however, much more to be
Eelam (LTTE). done. Removing poverty is the biggest challenge.

India, on the request of Crores of Indians are still below the poverty line.
the Government of Sri They do not get even two meals in a day. There
Lanka sent a peace- is also a lot of caste inequality in our society. The
keeping force there to untouchables continue to be discriminated
restore normalcy. The against in some places. They are still not allowed
Indian forces were with- to draw water from public wells or to enter
drawn after three years temples. There is also a lot of gender inequality.
(1990) without restoring Rajiv Gandhi So, while we have been able to achieve political
peace. equality, economic and social equality is still a
India wants Sri Lanka to find a solution to her distant dream.
conflict with the Tamils who are fighting for Making education available to all is another
independence. Rajiv Gandhi himself became a challenge for the decades ahead. So far, educa-
victim of this unresolved crisis when he was tional progress has been very uneven. Some
assassinated in 1991. Cordial relations have been states have fared better than the others. The
restored between the two countries. As member ‘Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan’ needs to be pursued
states of the SAARC, both countries are working more aggressively. An accompanying challenge is
together on developmental issues. to create jobs for the millions of youth passing
India and the Maldives out from schools, colleges and technical insti-
The republic of Maldives is a group of islands tutes.
located south of India’s Lakshadweep Islands in So, the challenges for India are many. And, those
the Indian Ocean. India shares a close and govern here are only the tip of the iceberg. But,
cordial relationship with Maldives. Trade and the goods thing is that we are in a position to
tourism are being developed between the two tackle these challenges because the attitude of
countries. Both nations established deplomatic the people is changing. Indians today are much
relations after the independence of Maldives more aware and responsible. They want a
from British rule in 1966. change and are willing to work for it.

Terminology

Perspective : a point of view
Diplomacy : the art of dealing with people in a sensitive and tactful way
Rehabilitate : return to its former condition
Provision : the action of providing or supplying something for use
Imperialist : a person who supports
Deteriorated : become progressively worse
Assassinated : murder (an important person) for political or religious reasons

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