"Minerals are an indispensable part of …

Minerals are an indispensable part of our lives
(a) Almost everything we use, from a tiny pin to a towering building or a big ship, all are made from minerals.
(b) The railway lines and the tarmac (paving) of the roads, our implements and machinery too are made from minerals.
(c) Cars, buses, trains, aeroplanes are manufactured from minerals and run on power resources derived from the earth.
(iv) Even the food that we eat contains minerals.
(v) In all stages of development, human beings have used minerals for their livelihood, decoration, festivities, religious and ceremonial rites.

 Pressure groups and movements have deepened democracy :

(a) It reminds the government of the needs and concerns of ordinary citizens.

(b) Put pressure on the rulers for the unhealthy activities.

(c) It performs a useful role of countering undue influence of the rich and powerful people.

(d) One single group cannot achieve dominance over society.
(e) The government gets to hear about what different sections of the population want.
(f) This leads to a rough balance of power and accommodation of conflicting interests

 Democracy and the economic outcomes :

(a) Slow economic development and economic growth due to population.
(b) Basic needs of life, such as food clothing, shelter are difficult to achieve.(c) Prevalence of economic inequalities.
(d) Poverty is still a big issue.
(e) Allocation of resources in few hands.
(f) Unjust distribution of goods and opportunities.