Question

Find pictures of towns/villages in your vicinity of the pre-independence period and compare these with their present scenario. What changes can you mark? Are such changes for better or for worse? Discuss.

Answer 1

Earlier Towns/Villages	Present-Day Towns/Villages
Roads were mostly narrow and unpaved.	Roads are wider and mostly paved.
Houses were mainly made of mud, wood or stone.	More pucca houses and apartment buildings are seen.
Transport depended on bullock carts, bicycles and walking.	Buses, cars, motorcycles and other vehicles are common.
Electricity was limited or absent in many villages.	Electricity is available in most areas.
Schools and hospitals were few.	More schools, colleges, clinics and hospitals are available.
Markets were small and mainly sold local goods.	Markets are larger and offer many different products.
Communication was mainly through letters.	Mobile phones and the internet are widely used.
The surroundings had more open land and fewer buildings.	There are more buildings, roads and commercial areas.

1. Changes for the Better:
   • Transport and communication have improved.
   • Education and healthcare facilities have increased.
   • Electricity, water supply and other basic services are more widely available.
   • People have more employment and business opportunities.
2. Changes for the Worse:
   • Open spaces and greenery have been reduced in many places.
   • Traffic, pollution and waste have increased.
   • Some old buildings and traditional features have disappeared.

Most changes have improved people’s comfort, education, healthcare and connectivity. However, development has also caused problems such as pollution, traffic and loss of greenery, so development should be planned carefully.