Chapter 5 Glimpses of India

The elders in Goa are nostalgic about the good old Portuguese days. They also reminisced about the loaves of bread famous from the Portuguese times which they were immensely fond of.

Yes, bread-making is still popular in Goa. The author can say so as one can still find mixers, the moulders, the bakers and the old age furnaces. The main festivals and occasions are also still not celebrated without loaves, bol or bread-bangles.

The baker in Goa is known as pader.

Note*: Pader in general sense is a wall made of stone.

When the author was a young child, the baker would come twice a day, once when he set out in the morning and the second time when he returned after emptying his basket. When the baker arrived at their houses, they ran to meet him as they loved bread bangles. They gathered around him and when they were asked to get aside with a mild rebuke, they used to peep into the basket and climb on the railings and benches.

Three things that cannot happen in a treeless forest are as follows -

(i) The birds cannot sit on the trees.

(ii) The insects cannot hide in the trees.

(iii) The sun rays cannot be seen burying their feet in the shadow of the forest.

The Sun’s feet here refer to the rays of the sun that reach the earth’s surface. Since the sun radiates heat, the words “Sun bury its feet in shadow” show the image of the radiating sun cooling its feet in the shadow of the forest’s trees.

In the poem, the trees are in the poet’s house. The roots are working all night to disengage themselves from the cracks in the veranda’s floor. The leaves are straining towards the glass while the twigs are becoming stiff with exertion.

The poet compares the long-cramped branches that have been shuffling under the roof to newly discharged patients who seem to be half-dazed as the step forward towards the hospital doors after recovering from long illnesses. In a similar condition, the branches also have been confined under the roof and want to get out into the open to spread themselves in the fresh air.

In the beginning of the third stanza, the poet describes the moon saying that it is full and shining in the night sky. However, at the end of the stanza, she describes the moon as broken into many pieces that are similar to a shattered mirror. Since the trees have changed their place and made their way outside the poet’s house, their branches have risen high, blocking the moon which is responsible for changing its appearance (that of a shattered mirror.)In the end, these pieces can be seen flashing in the crown of the tallest oak tree.

When the trees move out of the house, the glass gets broken and the winds rush to meet the trees which are stumbling forward in the night. However, the poet feels that the smell of the leaves of the trees and lichens still reaches the rooms of her house.

The poet does not mention the departure of the trees in her letters because till now they were imprisoned and their departure from the house was like a hard-won freedom for the poet. It seems that the poet herself was willing that the trees go out and had been preparing for the same. By writing a long letter and letting them go, the poet is trying to free herself of her feelings which were earlier suppressed.

Yes, the poem, ‘The trees’ presents a conflict between man and nature. Man often uses nature recklessly for his own comforts and needs curbing their freedom. Plants and trees are used for interior decoration in homes, trees are cut down for wood, forests cleared for commercial and residential purposes and animals are put in cages. They seemed to be imprisoned and struggle to come out. In many such ways, man becomes a hindrance in the freedom of plants and animals. The poem shows their struggle as they strive to move out. To compare it with the poem ‘A Tiger in Zoo’, it can be said that the tiger also longs for freedom. The poet thus presents the fact that animals should not be bound in cages because it restricts their freedom to move around. Their condition, in the prison, is pitiable and they want to break out from this imprisonment.

If trees are symbolic of human beings, then it can be said that humans also want to break away from the handcuffs of their hectic and self-centered lives they lead. They work hard all through the days and nights to achieve their selfish goals and keep striving hard as they are confined under the roofs of their homes and offices. Even they wish to live freely and go out and enjoy the tranquil nature.

The poem ‘The Trees’ describes the internal feelings of trees and narrates their struggle of escaping the confines of man’s cages. However, the poem ‘On Killing a Tree’ describes the ways of killing a tree completely, highlighting the cruelty of man towards the environment. The poet sarcastically explains how a tree should not just be cut with an axe but should be destroyed completely from its roots. In the poem ‘The Trees’ the poetess throws light on the freedom of plants and animals which are curbed by man’s reckless actions. Thus, both the poems in different ways show the deteriorating condition of nature and its elements and try to convey a hidden message to the audience.

Note* - The following answers have been given according to the traditions and practices of the Portuguese in Goa during the good old days.

(i) During the Portuguese days, the bakers had a specific dress known as the Kabai. It was a single-piece-long frock till the knees.

(ii) When the author was young, he saw the bakers in shirts and trousers which were shorter than full-length ones and longer than half pants.

Any person who would be seen dressed in half pants which were short and reached just below the knees-invited the comment that “he is dressed like a pader.” This was because bakers (known as pader) wore such an uncommon dress which gave them a different look all together.

The monthly accounts of the baker were recorded on the walls with a pencil. It was done in this manner because at that time there were no proper systems of maintaining records in notebooks.

A jackfruit is considered strong and healthy and a jackfruit-like appearance is indicated of having a plump physique. According to the text, such a physique was linked to the bakers as their profession was considered a profitable one. The text also mentions that the baker’s family and his servants always looked happy and prosperous with a jackfruit-like appearance.

(i) Correct.

Because the Portuguese people reminisced about the loaves of bread famous from the bakers.

(ii) Correct.

Because the bakers were known as Paders and they still exist in the Goan villages.

(iii) Incorrect

Because paders still exist in Goan villages.

(iv) Incorrect

Because paders wear shirts and trousers which are shorter than full-length ones and longer than half pants.

(v) Incorrect

Because breads and cakes are still an integral part of Goan life.

(vi) Correct.

Because people love eating loaves of bread.

(vii) Incorrect

Because baking is still a very profitable business in Goa.

Yes, bread is an important part of goan life. One can say so because their main festivals can never be celebrated without the famous loaves of bread. Marriage ceremonies were incomplete without the sweet bread known as the bol. Bread was also a must at parties, and cakes and bolinhas for Christmas. The tradition of making sandwiches by the lady of the house on her daughter’s engagement was also meaningless without loaves of bread. Thus, in other words, the fact that the profession of baking is a profitable business in Goa, it clearly exhibits the love of Goans for bread.

(i) nostalgic

Meaning: Feeling of nostalgia/remembrance

(ii) hopeful, nostalgic

(iii) nostalgic

(iv) funny

(v) matter-of-fact

(vi) matter-of-fact.

Baking and Bakery products have always been a part of the popular culture of the Goan society. When the author was a young child, he often heard his elders reminiscing nostalgically the famous loaves of bread. Although, the eaters of those loaves might have disappeared, the makers (paders) were still making those loaves in the same furnace following the similar processes. During his childhood, he and his family members were woken-up by the jingling thud of his bamboo and the children used to run to him after hearing the jhang-jhang sound. They loved to eat bread-bangles although his main servants used to take loaves. The baker was seen in a special dress (known as the Kabai) in which he moved around the entire village selling his bread. He had a monthly account and was paid at the end of every month. Thus, baking was a profitable profession and the baker’s family and his servants were often said to be having a jackfruit-like appearance.

The topic of both the given texts are same i.e. they talk about paders in Goa and art of baking bread. But the patterns of describing it are different and also at different times i.e. the text on the left side talks about the memories of the elders who recollect the past nostalgically whereas the text on the right-side talks about the period after Goa’s liberation talking about the realities of Portuguese bread that now seem to be faded with the passage of time.

Our School announced an Educational Tour to Amritsar, Punjab in February 2017 for 4 days. It was during our winter vacation. Each student had to pay Rs. 6000 for all the expenditure including hotel and meals for each day. We began our journey on the night of 15 February 2017 and enjoyed the company of our teachers on our way to Amritsar. Next morning, we reached there without any difficulty. We checked into the hotel after reaching and took some rest and left to see the Jallianwala Bagh and the Golden Temple in the afternoon. We saw the bullet marks and were made familiar with the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. We also visited a small museum which gave us a deep insight into the same. All lit up with lights, we could see the beautiful reflection of the Golden Temple in the crystal-clear water of the Sarovar in the evening. Late night, we came back to our hotel. Early morning, next day, we began our drive towards Wagah Border. There we witnessed a spectacular combined drill of Indian and Pakistani soldiers and the evening ceremony. It was among the most memorable experiences we ever had and we returned in the evening. Next morning, we visited the Gobindgarh Fort and became aware of the historical context in which it was built, significant changes over time and the 7D show on the life of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. On the last day, we had some fun and frolic in our hotel itself and enjoyed amongst ourselves. Above all, we had an unforgettable experience during our visit and enjoyed their famous sweets and food items as well.

Note*– This is purely based on a person’s experience. Students can write their own descriptions as well.

Students can do this activity in groups. They can visit a factory of any bakery and watch the process of baking and note it down. Then this process can be compared with the one given in the chapter.

Yes, it is quite right that today there are number of craft-based professions which are dying out, approximately, including all the given. The reason is very clear since all of them are based on old techniques. They take much time, labor and hard work.

While on the other hand, factories have new technologies and advanced patterns of working.

However, it depends on our government and its policies which can revive these craft-based works and professions. Loans on low-interest rate can help in providing an incentives to people in order to work and establish a market for their products. Various other economic policies can also contribute towards the betterment of the artisans and producers of such goods.

Coorg (or Kodagu) is the smallest district situated midway between Mysore and Mangalore in Karnataka. It is believed to be heaven on earth which must have been drifted from the kingdom of God.

The people of Coorg are believed to be of Greek or Arabic descent. It is said that a part of Alexander’s army moved towards the south and had to settle there when their return became impractical. They married amongst the locals and their culture is manifested in marriage and religious rites and martial traditions. The long, black coats with embroidered waist belts worn by Kodavus, known as Kuppia resembles the Kuffia worn by the Arabs and the Kurds also throw light on the Arabic origins of Kodavu people.

(i) The author has described the people of Coorg as a proud race of martial men and beautiful women who are of Greek or Arabic descent. They have a tradition of hospitality and enjoy telling the stories of bravery about their sons and forefathers. In addition, Kodavus are the only people in India who are permitted to carry firearms without a license.

(ii) The main crop of Coorg is coffee. After monsoons, the air breathes of invigorating coffee with coffee estates and bungalows tucked under tree canopies.

(iii) Coorg offers adventurous sports to its tourists including river rafting, canoeing, rock climbing, elephant riding, rappelling and mountain biking and trekking.

(iv) The animals one can see in Coorg include birds, bees, butterflies, macaques, wild elephants, Malabar squirrels, langurs, and loris.

(v) The distance between Coorg and Bangalore is about 260kms. One can reach there via train, air or road transport.

(i) Keep away many visitors away.

Meaning- stay away to avoid a certain situation.

(ii) As the story goes.

Meaning- As a situation is told or rumored to be so

(iii) Are more than willing to recount.

Meaning -Happily ready to tell or describe people about a story or incident

(iv) The most laid-back individuals become converts.

Meaning – even the slow ones become high spirited.

(v) Draws support from.

Meaning – to take support from a fact or instance to prove something.

(vi) Keep a watchful eye.

Meaning – to observe something or someone very carefully.

(ii) monks: serious monks

(iii) surprise: sudden surprise, terrible surprise, unforgettable surprise

(iv) experience: unique experience, terrible experience, unforgettable experience

(iv) weather: terrible weather

(vi) tradition: ancient tradition, unique tradition

(i)interesting
(Meaning/synonym – to catch attention or arouse curiosity/ fascinating, compelling)

(ii)exciting
(Meaning/synonym – to cause great enthusiasm or eagerness/gripping, startling)

(iii)bored
(Meaning/synonym – feeling impatient due to lack of interest in a certain activity/lacking interest, monotonous)

(iv)excited
(Meaning - It is the past tense of excite)

(v)excited/interested
(Meaning - It is the past tense of excite/ interest)

(vi)tired
(Meaning/synonym – in need of rest due to much hectic schedule or activities/weary, exhausted)

(vii)thrilled
(Meaning/synonym – to have a sudden feeling of excitement/delighted, high spirited)

(viii)boring
(Meaning - It is the present participle of bore)

The description that we got from the chapter is very interesting and exciting. It gives an account of natural and scenic beauty. The running sights of description about Kodavus are also quite thrilling. The wildlife and beautiful view of the entire landscape enthralls us. We can feel the internal beauty of nature in the company of birds, langurs, and wild-beasts along with the revitalizing plantations of coffee. The adventurous sports of Rafting, Rappelling and Canoeing and Trekking sports are of much attraction to the readers.

NOTE – This is only a small overview about Coorg. Students can use more adjectives (apart from those given) in the paragraph to make it more enriching.

Views About Tea - Tea has become a very important part of our life. It is significant to know that tea can be found in every Indian household which is also a must in all functions. Tea plantation is the main occupation in Assam. Tea is a beverage as well as possesses medicinal qualities. It reduces blood pressure and provides instant relief from tiredness. Thus one can see that tea has become a necessity for all.

NOTE – Students can attempt it and put in various additional details about tea.