Defining Community
A community is a group of connected people living together or sharing common interests/values. Families are not isolated; they connect to form communities.
Rural vs. Urban Communities
| Feature | Rural / Tribal Communities | Urban Communities |
|---|---|---|
| Shared Resources | Water, grazing lands, forest produce. | Parks, roads, community halls. |
| Cooperation | Agricultural help (sowing, harvesting together). | Residents’ Welfare Associations (RWAs). |
| Rules | Often unwritten customs for resource use. | Written rules on waste, parking, pets. |
Types of Communities
A person can belong to multiple communities simultaneously:
- Residential: Your neighbourhood or village.
- School: Your class, sports team, NCC, NSS, or drama club.
- Cultural/Religious: Groups based on shared religion or region (e.g., “Mumbai’s Parsi community”).
- Professional: A community of scientists, farmers, or artists.
Interdependence
Communities rely on each other. An RWA (Residential Community) depends on:
- The Trading Community (for supplies).
- Municipal Workers (for waste handling).
No community can survive in isolation.