Five ways in which the non-whites were discriminated against are:
(i) Non-whites were not allowed to vote.
(ii) The best land was reserved for the white people and non-whites had to live on the worst available land.
(iii) Hospitals and ambulances were separate for whites and non-whites.
(iv) There were separate trains and buses.
(v) The bus stops were different for them.

In Maya's story, the government did not support the idea that people are equal. Sharp differences were seen between the whites and non-whites. The whites availed all privileges while the non-whites had to face hardships. They had no voting rights like the whites.

People participate in the process of government through following various ways:
(i) By taking interest in the working of the government.
(ii) By criticising the government when it is required.
(iii) By taking out rallies.
(iv) By organising a signature campaign.

When in August 2005, the government increased the money people had to pay for electricity, this is how people reacted:
(i) They were very angry and expressed their disapproval very sharply.
(ii) They took out rallies and also organised a signature campaign.

In India, governments are elected for a fixed term of 5 years. If governments want to continue to be in power, then they have to be re-elected by the people. Thus, this is a moment when people can sense their power in a democracy.

The conflicts and differences are resolved by the government, because the Indian Constitution lays
down the basic rules or laws that have to be followed by everyone. These laws are for both the government and the people.

Cauvery Water Dispute
• River Cauvery flows through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
Two dams have been constructed on this river:
(i) Krishnasagar dam has been constructed on Cauvery in Karnataka.
(a) It stores water which is used in irrigation in several districts of Karnataka.
(b) It also meets the water needs of Bangalore city.
(ii) Mettur dam has been constructed in Tamil Nadu.
(a) Its water is used in crop irrigation in the delta regions of Tamil Nadu.
(iii) Downstream dam of Mettur can be filled up only if water from upstream dam Krishnasagar is released.
(iv) Neither of the two states gets as much water as per their requirement.
(v) Due to these two dams being on the same river, a conflict has arisen.

Approval and disapproval are being expressed here as:
Approval The two persons express approval for presence of water in a tap.
Disapproval The condition of distribution of drinking water is not good. It should be condemned as it may give rise to aversion to the system and governance.