Q1.
Do you remember this picture from your Grade 6 textbook?
Answer
Yes — Fig. 9.2 is the picture of government at work from the Grade 6 book. It is a grid of ten small scenes, and each scene stands for one role of government. Look at them one by one and the whole list on page 186 falls into place.
| What the panel shows | The role of government it stands for |
|---|---|
| A modern train on the tracks | Transport — an essential public service |
| A road roller laying a highway | Building infrastructure |
| A health worker attending to a family | Delivering healthcare |
| Soldiers patrolling a border | National defence |
| A traffic policeman at a signal | Maintaining law and order |
| Rescue workers in helmets at a damaged site | Disaster relief — security and safety of the people |
| A classroom full of children | Providing education |
| The Supreme Court building | Justice — the judicial function |
| People at counters in an office or bank | Managing the economy and public administration |
| A postman with his bicycle and a letter box | Communication and postal services |
Why the book repeats the picture: Grade 6 asked what a government is. Grade 7 asks what kinds of government exist. Starting from the same familiar picture makes the point that every one of these tasks has to be done in any country — what differs is who decides how they are done, and to whom that person answers.