1. How did the baker become synonymous with celebrations and occasional in Goa?
The village baker was very important for festive occasions. Marriage gifts were meaningless without the sweet bread known as ‘bol’. Sandwiches, cakes and bolin has were a must for Christmas as well as other festivals. These were made with the bread.
2. Inspired by the diversity in the chapter, ‘Glimpses of India’, you wrote an article for your school magazine on the topic, ‘Diversity-the Uniqueness of India’. Write a paragraph, sharing two key opinions from the article.
Diversity makes India unique. India is unique country in every possible way and is colourful too. Festivals and dressing are two of them. Every culture, religion and custom has its own unique colour, which shows the diversity in one. In India, different people have different culture, speak different languages have different customs, castes, history, religions, which make India unique.
3. How is bread an important part of life in Goa?
Bread is an important part of the Goa’s life because it is needed for all sorts of functions whether they are birthdays, marriages or festivals like Christmas. These occasions are incomplete without a special preparation which is made from bread for each event.
4. What do you learn about the financial condition of the bakers of Goa?
The Bakers of Goa led a prosperous life. Baking was a profitable profession. They never starved. His family and servants always looked happy and prosperous. Their plump physique was an open testimony to this.
Part 2: Coorg
1. Why does the author in ‘Coorg’ say that the visitors’ search for the heart and soul of India would be found in Coorg?
Coorgis are famous for hospitality, valor which is the heart and soul of India. Apart from it, Coorg is a beautiful region of rolling hills and lush green rainforests. It is also famous for coffee and spices.
2. Do adventure sports like river rafting and rock climbing require a person to possess just physical strength? Why/Why not?
Apart from physical strength, a person does require many other skills. The person must be zealous, confident courageous and flexible. He should have excellent public speaking skills. He should not only have a good memory but also good destination knowledge.
3. Coorgis belong to a valorous and hospitable race. Comment on this statement with reference to the text.
Coorgis are a proud race of martial men and beautiful women. They are very hospitable and entertain their guests by relating stories of bravery of their sons and fathers. Coorgis soldiers are brave. Coorgis are the only people who are permitted to carry firearms without a license.
4. The culture, lifestyle and traditions of a place are influenced by the people who lived or settled there at some point of time. Cultural assimilation adds flavour to the existing structure of a society. Summarise your opinion on the given idea.
The brave and independent people of Coorg are of Greek or Arabic descent. According to a story, a part of Alexander’s army did not return and was settled here. They married among the locals. This culture assimilation can be seen in the martial tradition, marriage and religious customs.
5. Why is Coorg called the land of rolling hills?
Coorg is called the land of rolling hills because the city is situated on the gentle sloping hills. The entire area is covered with these hills. Brahmagiri hills have a panoramic view.
6. The people of Coorg have a tradition of courage and bravery. How has it been recognised in modern India? OR How is the Coorgi tradition of courage and bravery recognised in modern India?
‘The season of joy that commences from September and continues till March is the best to visit Coorg as some showers make the weather perfect and the air becomes fragrant with the aroma of coffee’.
Part 3: Tea from Assam
1. What excited Rajvir? Why did Pranjol not share his excitement?
The sight of the vast sea of lush green tea bushes coupled with tall sturdy trees excited Rajvir. Pranjol did not share Rajvir’s excitement as he had been born and brought up on a tea plantation.
2. What legends are associated with the origin of tea?
a. There was one Chinese emperor who always boiled water before drinking it. One day a few leaves of the twigs burning under the pot fell into the water which gave it a delicious flavour. It is said that they were tree leaves.
b. Bohhidharma, an ancient ‘Buddhist ascetic, cut off his eyelids because he felt sleepy during meditation. Ten plants grew out of the eyelids. The leaves of these plants when put in hot water and drunk vanished sleep.
3. Why did Rajvir feel that the view outside the window was magnificent?
Rajvir had never seen such beautiful greenery in his life. He was fascinated to see the tea gardens and the wooded hills so he called it a magnificent view. The tea pluckers looked like dolls to him.
4. Why does Rajvir call the workers doll-like figures?
The tea pluckers were the local women. They had covered themselves with clothes from top to bottom. They looked like moving dolls. Rajvir called them doll-like figures. They really looked very pretty.
5. Why was Pranjol not excited on seeing the tea garden?
Pranjol was born and brought up in Assam. He had been watching the tea gardens since his childhood. There was nothing new for him. So he was not excited on seeing the tea gardens.
6. What is the Chinese legend about the discovery of tea?
According to the Chinese legend, a Chinese emperor discovered tea accidentally. He used to boil water before drinking it. One day a few leaves of some twigs burning under the pot fell into the water giving it a delicious flavour. It is said that they were tea leaves.
7. What is the Indian legend about the discovery of tea?
According to Indian legend, Bodhidharma, an ancient Buddhist ascetic, cut off his eyelids because he felt very sleepy during meditation. Ten tea plants grew out of the eyelids. The leaves of these plants when put into hot water and drunk vanished sleep.
8. How are tea pluckers different from other farmers or labourers on the farms?
The tea pluckers were different from other workers on the farm. They had bamboo baskets on their back. They were wearing plastic clothes. They looked like moving dolls.
9. Which tea is considered the best tea? Why?
The tea prepared from the second flush on sprouting period which begins in the month of May and lasts till the end of July is considered the best tea. It is the best one because it is prepared from the new leaves.