the Spirit of National Integration and International Understanding
INTRODUCTION Social Science is an academic discipline concerned with the society and the relationship among the individuals within the society. Social Science is a subject of study which offers a systematic study of man in relation to his society. In a democratic country like India, every citizen has to play a pivotal role in the uplift of the nation. The term may however be used in the specific context of referring to the original science of society. Social science education has a role to develop the national integration and international Understanding. One of the goals of social studies education is to produce citizens who are socially responsible. This is important because the possession of social and economic needs of the citizens is a collective responsibility. These social opportunities, shelter, nutritious food and better income all responsibly involve the provision of economic needs that include employment opportunities, shelter, nutritious foods and better income. Through the education of the society, the people get a national development. This is because the education is aimed at realization, better human relationship: individual and national efficiency. In addition, education is expected to promote effective citizenship, national consciousness and development. The achievement of these targets is relevant to the achievement of national integration through value re-organization that is embedded in social studies education. This is because social studies education has the capacity to provide the kind of value re-orientation that promotes that acquisition of right types of citizen for national integration and international understanding.
COLLECTION OF DATA National integration means the sense of the basic oneness of the nation. It is the sense of identity and solidarity among all citizen of the nation. National integration is the cementing force that binds the citizens of a country into a unified entity. Unity is not uniformity. Differences in language, race, religion etc are likely to be reflected, but even then it should not be social disruption and chaos. National integration has got two aspects, Political unity and emotional unity. With the achievement of independence and with the declaration of India as republic, we have achieved political unity. Emotional integration is to be reflected in the attitude of the people. It depends upon how people belonging to different areas and groups interact among themselves. All the people belonging to different areas and groups interact among themselves. There are so many factors affecting national integration. Those are hampering integration of Indian society. This may be enumerated as linguism, regionalism, communalism, castism, parochialism, social- economic inequalities. In spite of the factors hampering integration, there are a large number of factors which unify all people as members of the same nation. The factors are territorial compactness, civilization and culture, feeling toward the sacredness of the motherland, creating common values, strengthening secularism, crusade against inequalities, impact of science and technology. National integration cannot be achieved through mere legislation. Social Science education must play an important role in fostering national integration. It has to take the responsibility for inculcating a sense of national unity and foster a feeling of solidarity. A complete programe of education catering to the same needs. They are curricular programme, co-curricular activity, training in democracy, training in secularism role of teacher. Social studies as a subject has the principal aim of inculcating into the learners, the virtues of nationalism, patriotism, belief in self and encapsulating the ethics and values of society rthat will make the learners a Total Man. A Total man, sociologically speaking, using social studies as a plank, means a man that is very proud of the cultures of his/her country and is also desirous of defending and protecting it from internal and external enemies. Social studies is the study of people in relation to each other and their world. It is an interdisciplinary subject that draws up history, geography, economics, political science and other disciplines. Social studies focus on peoples relationship with their social, physical, spiritual, cultural, economic, political and technological environment. The national integration conference put forth their suggestions for realizing national and emotional integration. Education should develop students national feelings and sense of belongings and through proper teaching of history among students a sense of Indianness should be created. Internationalism is the feeling is the individual is not only a member of his country, but also a citizen of the world. Internationalism inspires the people all over the world, to take effective measures for bridging the gaps created mutually conflicting issues, with a view to develop friendly relations among nations and thus to live in harmony and peace as good neighbors. International understanding is the ability to critically and objectively observe and appraise the conduct of people everywhere and thus make valid judgment leading to healthy interaction. To do this, one must be able to detach oneself from ones own narrow cultural and national prejudices and to view people of all nationalities, cultures and races with a spirit of equity and equality. Internationalism is the feeling is the individual is not only a member of his country, but also a citizen of the world. Internationalism inspires the people all over the world, to take effective measures for bridging the gaps created mutually conflicting issues, with a view to develop friendly relations among nations and thus to live in harmony and peace as good neighbors. International understanding is the ability to critically and objectively observe and appraise the conduct of people everywhere and thus make valid judgment leading to healthy interaction. To do this, one must be able to detach oneself from ones own narrow cultural and national prejudices and to view people of all nationalities, cultures and races with a spirit of equity and equality. There are some reasons are essential for getting international awareness, they are; Know and understand how people in other land live Recognize the common humanity reflected in all cultures Work for a fair and just world order with security, freedom and fair play for all people Maintain interest in world affairs Recognize world problems and assist for solving those with a democratic outlook Link love of ones own country with a broad social consciousness of problems all over the world Understand the interdependence of countries and people Take world as a single entity Believe in common values and goals for the world, community etc
Due to the study of the subject Social Science, the above knowledge will get in a clear manner. Social Science as a subject of study has the maximum scope for creating a sense of international understanding. Through an in depth study of history, the students should be made to understand and appreciate the different culture of the world. They should understand how great men have contributed to the welfare of humanity in general. Geography should familiarize students with different regions. Through civics and economics also independence of people can be stressed. Students must understand that modern political ideas are the result of the cumulative effort of many countries and people.
CONCLUSION Social science plays an important role in promoting national integration and international understanding. The content methodology and the text book of social science must be thoroughly overhauled to enable them to play the most important role. It is therefore; considered essential that learning of current events should not be an incidental affair. They should be taught to the pupil systematically.