GSEB Solutions Class 10 English Chapter 1 Against the Odds

Gujarat Board GSEB Solutions Class 10 English Second Language Chapter 1 Against the Odds Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.

GSEB Class 10 English Textbook Solutions Chapter 1 Against the Odds (Second Language)

GSEB Class 10 English Against the Odds Text Book Questions and Answers

1. Read about Dashrath Manjhi and answer the questions.

Dashrath Manjhi ran away from his home at a young age and worked at Dhanbad’s coal mines. He returned to his village, took up work and married Falguni Devi. While crossing Gehlour hills to bring him lunch, Falguni slipped and seriously injured herself.

They could not reach her to the nearby hospital because there was no straight access to the town and which eventually led to her death. Manjhi was deeply disturbed and that very night decided to carve a path through the Gehlour hills so that his village could have easier access to medical services.

He carved a path 360 feet long, 25 feet deep in places and 30 feet wide to form a road through the rocks;in Gehlour hill. He quoted, “When I started hammering the hill, people called me a lunatic but that steeled determination.” He completed; the work in 22 years (1960-1983).

This path reduced the distance between the Atri and Wazirganj sectors of the Gaya district from 55 km to 15 km. Later, Manjhi said, “Though most villagers taunted me at first, there were quite a few who lent me support later by giving me food and helping me buy my tools.” For his s achievement, Manjhi became popularly known as the ‘Mountain Man’. His name was also proposed by the Bihar government for the Padma Shri award in 2006.

When a movie on his life was announced, Manjhi was on his death bed. He put his thumb impression on an agreement and gave away ‘exclusive rights’ to make a film on his life. The mountain man was given a state funeral by the Government of Bihar.

1. Dashrath lost his wife. He was terribly disturbed.What would Manjhi have told himself that night

A. Cruel God took away my wife. Now I hate God.
B. I must do dharna against the government for pressing them to build a good road from Atri to Wazirgunj.
C. I myself will start making a road through hills, whatever odds I have to face.
D. I will unite the people of Atri and lead a procession to the authorities. Our demand will be : Give us road, give us life.
Answer:
Manjhi must have told himself: I myself will start making a road through hills, whatever odds I have to face.

Question 2.
Are you moved and impressed by Dashrath’s great deed ? Write a message (30 words) in memory of this Mountain Man. You can begin like this :
Answer:
Dear Dashrath! We salute you because even in a personal tragedy, you could think about the problems of people. Your great achievement has helped the others. What a selfless service for the society.

Question 3.
What inspiration do we get from people like Manjhi ?
Answer:
We should not wait for others to do some good work, instead we should do whatever our heart tells us to do.

2. How would you solve these problems with minimum help from others ?

Question 1.
crossing a river
Answer:
Swim across the river or find a wooden log and float across on it.

Question 2.
carrying your heavy friend to a hospital
Answer:
Call an ambulance.

Question 3.
staying for one rainy night in the forest
Answer:
Look for a shady tree or a hollow of a tree or a cave.

Question 4.
creating support for a very poor student
Answer:
Use my pocket money first and then ask my friends for help in the form of books, uniform, etc.

Vocabulary

1. In the group of four words, two words are either synonyms or antonyms. Circle these words, then circle S if they are synonyms and A if they are antonyms.

2. Fill in the blanks with the correct forms of the words in the bold print.

Example : decide
A. We must come to a decision very soon as we are running short of time.
B. We beat them decisively. We won 7 :0.
C. Manan can never make up his mind. He is very indecisive.

1. reside
A. Mr P. G. Pathak is a resident of Shastrinagar area.
B. The police inquired of his residency in Delhi.
C. You can’t have a ration card of this city as you are a non-resident of this city.

2. strong
A. You must strengthen your body to face such hardships as you are going to join our army next month.
B. The inner strength of our father of the nation, Gandhiji, made the British quit India.
C. Bhim gave such a strong blow of his mace on Duryodhan’s thigh that he was injured.

3. construct
A. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar is one of the constructors of the constitution of our country.
B. Students should be given constructive education rather than theoretical.
C. The construction of the Taj Mahal began in 1632 by Shah Jahan at Agra.

4. power
A. Our government is trying its best for women empowerment in every walk of life.
B. Don’t you think that India needs some powerful leaders like Sardar Patel nowadays ?
C. The new law of RTI empowers us to get any information.

Now make different forms of the words and use them in your own sentences. You may take help of a dictionary or your teacher.

(1) inform
A. Do you have any information about the exam dates ?
B. There are very few informative channels on TV.
C. Have you informed your parents of the picnic ?

(2) direct
A. In which direction is the wind blowing ?
B. The principal has written all the directives in the book.
C. Can you help me to change this sentence into the indirect speech ?

(3) beauty
A. This is a beautiful picture.
B. How can you beautify this house ?
C. Neha sings so beautifully!

3. Complete the sentences selecting the proper words from the brackets.

(1) Aarzu wanted a job of an officer. So she applied for the job. (applied / worked)
(2) Our society pooled in ₹ 3,50,000 for the relief fund, (pooled in /gave)
(3) Aanandnagar has no electricity, so the GEB is going to establish mini grids there. (mini greed/mini grids)
(4) The Loksansar launched a new scheme of flats, (declared /launched)

4. Make meaningful sentences placing the proper words at the proper places.

(1) The people of Bhavnagar have raised the demand for Bhavnagar – Tarapur railway line for many years, (increased / raised)
(2) Our government has started a scheme of giving LED bulbs to the needy people. (CFL/LED)
(3) Very soon the Gujarat Government will recruit about 45,000 persons in various administrative departments. (will give/will recruit)
(4) In Gujarat, we face the scorching heat of the sun during May and June. (scorching heat of/strong heat of)

5. Write True [T] or False [F] If false, correct them.

Example : Aarzu won the election of the village. She was elected as a Talati. [False]
Aarzu won the election of the village. She was elected as the sarpanch.

(1) We visited Ghogha last week because we
wanted to launch a new project. [True]

(2) There are lunar panels in our village. [False]
There are solar panels in our village.

(3) Solar Power is a smokefull source of light. [False]
Solar Power is a smokeless source of light,

(4) In recent times most people use florescent lamps to save electricity. [False]
In recent times most people use LED lamps to save electricity.

(5) Most of our women squander their time in watching TV serials or family drama. [True]

6. Rearrange the order of the letters of the words in the brackets to make the sentences meaningful.

word anagrams: same letters different words
silent – listen
Example: Your knowledge of computer is a big seats (asset).
(1) The (metalic) climate of this region is humid, so being an asthma patient you can’t stay here.
(2) Dr Batra’s (unclose) counsel to Astha for her choosing a career proved fruitful.
(3) It was Dashrath’s (density) destiny that he would die when none of his sons was present there.
(4) Mr Khan is a (inserted) resident of this society, so he must pay the maintenance charges.
(5) Brinda’s (reside) desire to educate her daughter in an English medium school was fulfilled as they shifted to Vadodara from a small village.
(6) They have (design) signed the contract, so it’s a bit late to change their minds now.

7. Select the proper words and fill in the blanks to make meaningful -ar,

(contribute, brilliant, pooled in, dispute, finally, empowering, issue, lobbied, provide, formulate, poverty)

Sudha Murthy found that Hanumanthppa was a brilliant boy. But unfortunately, he was not able to study further because of his poverty. She wanted to contribute in his study. She talked about this issue in her staff and they pooled in one lakh rupees. They had a little dispute over the course of his choice. Finally, the issue was resolved by empowering a senior colleague to take decision.

Comprehension

1. Say whether the statements are True or False. If false, correct them.

(1) The Government funded twenty-one lakh rupees to build the railway station – False
The people of the village pooled in twenty one lakh rupees to build a railway station on their own.

(2) Majority of people living in Taj Nagar are businessmen – False
Majority of people living in Taj Nagar are farmers.

(3) Ranjit Singh is the sarpanch of Taj Nagar village – False
Ranjit Singh is the former sarpanch of Taj Nagar village.

(4) Azaz, an electrician, was given the job of a technician – True’

(5) Out of thousand members of the library, three hundred are women.- True

(6) The library arranged seminars to solve the family problems of women.- False
The library arranged workshops in home economics, gardening, child care, arts, and to help women to manage family conflicts, legal disputes and professional problems.

(7) Separate reading room for women was set up to give them safe space. – True

2. Tick mark the most appropriate option.

Question 1.
The wish of the villagers was to…
A. collect fund for a railway station.
B. renovate the railway station.
C. build a railway station.
D. ask the authority for a railway station.
Answer:
C. build a railway station.

Question 2.
The railway authorities refused for a railway station because there was …
A. lack of funds.
B. no tracks.
C. no need.
D. no staff.
Answer:
A. lack of funds.

Question 3.
What is the source of smokeless light ?
A. kerosene
B. electricity
C. solar power
D. thermal power
Answer:
C. solar power

Question 4.
Palakkad’s library is unique for its …
A. women members.
B. cultural activities.
C. strength and unity of members.
D. social reforms.
Answer:
A. women members.

Question 5.
The library set up a separate reading room for women because …
A. there were only male members.
B. the women could feel safe.
C. the women could not waste time.
D. the women could come at night.
Answer:
B. the women could feel safe.

Question 6.
The solar panels are installed …
A. on the tall buildings of the village,
B. on the roof of a strong-walled house.
C. on the top of every house in the village.
D. on the tall towers raised in the villages.
Answer:
B. on the roof of a strong-walled house.

3. Correct the text by replacing the underlined words with the words from the brackets.

(farmers, capacity, construction, burning, donated, living, contributed, funded, demanded)

Most of the three thousand people leaving in the village are merchants. But such was the willing desire to have a station in the village, everybody contributed according to their limitation. Ranging from three thousand l rupees to seventy-five thousand rupees, they – borrowed money for the station and we started the renovation in January 2008.” said Ranjit Singh, a former village sarpanch.
Answer:
Most of the three thousand people living in the village are farmers. But such was the burning desire to have a station in the village, everybody contributed according to their capacity. Ranging from three thousand rupees to seventy-five thousand rupees, they I donated money for the station and we started the construction in January 2008.” said Ranjit Singh, a former village sarpanch.

4. Match the sentences from the text with the paraphrased sentences. Write the number in the brackets.

Paraphrased sentences

Original sentences

(1) The villagers collected 21 lakh rupees to build a railway station – after the rejection of their demand (2) The villagers had to go six kilometres to catch a train to Gurugram, Delhi and Rewar. (3) A place in Sitapur got transformed with the help of a plan for electrifying it with solar energy (4) An organization arranged for power at a low cost. (5) Villagers watched (with surprise) the setting up of grids at a proper place as if it were I a festival. (6) The library started to settle all kinds of disputes of women. (7) The library provides the women the strength to empower them.

A. Palakkad’s district library ….. these opportunities. [7] B. Installing a micro-grid … proceeding wide eyed. [5] C. Village by village,… twenty-five rupees per week. [4] D. For twenty-five … on their own. [1] E. The library was also … professional problems. [6] F. There are a large … from the Taj Nagar. [2] G. In Sitapur district,… at a village level. [3]

5. Read the sentences in A and relate them with the questions in B. One is done for you.

A	B
1. They pooled in twenty-one lakh rupees, [c]	a. What is that ?
2. We had to either go to Halimandi or Patli to catch a train, [e]	b. How did they do it ?
3. In Sitapur district, one such place with no power, a small social enterprise is trying to change things, [d]	c. Who gave the money?
4. But it has recently been in the news for different reasons, [a]	d. What are they doing ?
5. The unit got together to discuss methods of empowering women, [b]	e. What was the problem in that ?

6. Answer these questions.

Question 1.
How long did the people of Taj Nagar; try to persuade the railway authorities for a railway station ?
Answer:
The people of Taj Nagar tried to persuade s the railway authorities for twenty-five years; for a railway station.

Question 2.
Where did the villagers have to go to board a train ?
Answer:
The villagers had to go to Gurugram, Delhi and Rewar to board a train.

Question 3.
What is the main problem in rural Uttar Pradesh ? :
Answer:
The main problem in Uttar Pradesh is that more than 60 % of the houses are without power.

Question 4.
In just one year’s time, what has MGP achieved in Sitapur district ?
Answer:
In just one year’s time, the MGP has connected more than 3,500 customers to s solar power mini-grids at the village level.

Question 5.
What is the main advantage of the solar light, according to a village farmer?
Answer:
According to a village farmer, the main advantage of solar light is that it saves the environment because there is no pollution.

Question 6.
For what can people use Palakkad’s District Library ?
Answer:
People can use Palakkad’s District Library for information, knowledge, wisdom, cultural activities, research and reference.

Question 7.
Why did the women unit get together ?
Answer:
The women unit got together to discuss methods of empowering women.

Question 8.
What did the Library open its halls for ?
Answer:
The library opened its halls for film screening, workshops in home economics or gardening, child care or the arts, and for women to get help in managing family conflicts, legal disputes and professional problems.

Question 9.
What does the Palakkad’s Library stand as ?
Answer:
Palakkad’s district library stands tall as a beacon to encourage women’s empowerment through classes, clubs, workshops and reading rooms.

7. Answer these questions in two or three sentences each.

Question 1.
What was the burning desire of the people of Taj Nagar ? What did they do for it?
Answer:
The burning desire of the people of Taj Nagar was to have a railway station in their village. And to do this, everyone in the village contributed according to their capacity and collected twenty-one lakh rupees.

Question 2.
Why did people raise their demand for a railway station in their village ? How did the authorities respond?
Answer:
The people of the village had to either go to Halimandi or Patli to catch a train. Both the stations were six kilometres away from Taj Nagar. The railway lines also passed through the village and so the people demanded a station there. The authorities said that they did not have funds.

Question 3.
What is MGP, an NGO, doing in Sitapur district ? Why ?
Answer:
An NGO called MGP is building a network of low cost solar micro-grids that provide two LED lights and a mobile charging point to all paying households at a cost of twenty-five rupees per week.

Question 4.
How were the panels installed ?
Answer:
The roof of a sturdy, brick-walled house in each village was chosen to install the panels and the battery. The panels are installed in a southerly direction to capture as much sunlight as possible.

Question 5.
How have solar micro-grids helped the village people ?
Answer:
Due to solar micro-grids, there is no pollution and so the environment is also saved. Besides this, new businesses have also emerged in the villages. Children study more and women enjoy cooking in light.

Question 6.
What did the secretary of the library point out ?
Answer:
The secretary of the library pointed out that through reading, women would realize their own strength and forge a unity.

Question 7.
What did the library do for women ?
Answer:
The library launched a women’s unit in February, 2014. The unit formulated plans on opening separate reading rooms for women. It encouraged women’s empowerment through classes, clubs, workshops and reading rooms.

8. Write short notes using the points given in the brackets.

Question 1.
Palakkad’s District Library
(established – a centre for various activities -women’s unit – hall – safe venue for women – a beacon of women’s empowerment)
Answer:
The Palakkad District Public Library was established in September, 2013. It is a library, a centre for information, knowledge, wisdom, cultural activities, research and reference. A third of its thousand members are women. So the library launched a women’s unit in February, 2014. The unit got together to discuss methods of empowering women.

The library opened its halls for film screening, workshops in home economics or gardening, child care or the arts, and for women to get help in managing family conflicts, legal s disputes and professional problems. The unit formulated plans for opening separate reading rooms for women. It encourages women’s empowerment through classes, clubs, workshops and reading rooms.

Question 2.
Dream of railway station come true
(need for a railway station – efforts of village people of Taj Nagar – funds collected – determination – struggle – dream came true)
Answer:
There were a large number of people and students in Taj Nagar who had to go to Gurugram, Delhi and Rewar. They had to either go to Halimandi or Patli to catch a train. Both the stations are six kilometres away.

The railway lines passed through the village and so the people demanded a railway station there in 1982, but the railways refused saying that they did not have any funds. So the villagers decided to build a station themselves.

Everybody contributed according to their capacity, ranging from three thousand rupees to seventy-five thousand rupees. They pooled in twenty-one lakh rupees and built a railway station on their own. Their dream came true on 7 January, 2010.

Question 3.
MGP’s drive for solar power in Sitapur
(district more than 3,500 customers – set up solar micro-grids – light – beneficial – opportunities for development – business growth)
Answer:
Mera Gao Power (MGP) has connected more than 3,500 customers to solar power mini- grids at the village level. Village by village, MGP is building a network of low cost solar micro-grids that provide two LED lights and a mobile charging point to all paying households at a cost of twenty-five rupees per week.

The MGP team maps the village, house by house, working out where to place each wire so as to connect customer to the power source. Due to solar micro-grids, there is no pollution and so the environment is also saved. Besides this,new businesses have also emerged in the villages. Children study more and women enjoy cooking in light.

9. Reflect on these questions / points. (Classroom / Individual Activity).

(1) How would you encourage your village people to overcome their local problem ? Discuss.
(2) Visit any NGO working in Gujarat. Collect information about the activities of the NGO and share it in the classroom.
(3) Invite a social worker in the school and arrange a talk with him / her about the scope of rural development. (You may use your mother tongue.)
(4) Collect information about the work of a co-operative society in Gujarat. (Work in group of four or five.)
(5) Arrange a visit to a nearby village. Prepare a report on it and present the report in the class.

Language Practice

1. Read the paragraph about Saputara and answer the questions.

Saputara, which is on a plateau of Western Ghats (Sahyadri range), is a famous hill station in the Dang district of Gujarat. It is situated at an altitude of about 900 metres above the sea level. It is 156 km. from Surat and 248 km. from Mumbai.

The hill station is near Gujarat-Maharashtra border which is only 4 km. from the town. It is surrounded by rocky terrains and thick forests that house precious bio-diversity. Saputara is amazingly different in monsoon from summer. The monsoon season offers a different experience with fog and clouds dispersed all over the hills.

The waterfalls become mighty and everything becomes soothing green. Mornings and evenings become more beautiful. A walk in the morning or in the evening is a rewarding experience.To attract more tourists, Gujarat Tourism Corporation organizes Monsoon Festival every year in the month of August.

Different programmes are organized during the monsoon festival. One can enjoy water sports, heritage walk and other rides in the evening. The cultural programmes that start in the evening last till midnight.

Questions :

Question 1.
Where is Saputara located ? (Location)
Answer:
Saputara is located in the Dang district of Gujarat.

Question 2.
What is the altitude of the hill station ? (Location)
Answer:
It is situated at an altitude of about 900 (metres above the sea level).

Question 3.
How far is the hill station from Surat ? (Location)
Answer:
The hills station is 156 km. from Surat

Question 4.
What is the atmosphere in monsoon like ? (Describing)
Answer:
In monsoon, fog and clouds disperse all over the hills. The waterfalls become mighty and everything becomes soothing green.

Question 5.
When is the Monsoon Festival organized ? (Time)
Answer:
The Monsoon Festival is organized every year in the month of August.

Question 6.
What are the main attractions of the Monsoon Festival ? (Describing)
Answer:
There are different programmes like water sports, heritage walk and other rides in the evening. The cultural programmes that start in the evening last till midnight.

2. Read the passage about a robbery carefully. The underlined words are misplaced. Put them in the right places and read it s again. 

There was a phone call in the morning from (at) 9.30 informing about robbery on (in) a bank situated in (on) the S. P. Road. The robbers took away  ₹ 5 lakh at (from) the box which was kept between (in) the strong room of the bank. When we were trying to figure out who would have done it, there was one more call in (between) 9:30 and 10:00 that informed s about a robbery in a jewellery shop towards (beside) the bank.

The jeweller informed that the robbers escaped in a small white car. This was the first clue that we got at 1:00 p.m. All police stations around the town were informed to look for the white car. Meanwhile, a traveller who listened to the news on the radio, called 101 (Police) and informed that he saw a white car going beside (towards) Ahmedabad on NH-8 at a speed of more than 100 km/h.

Once again, highway patrol and police stations at (on) NH-8 were informed. At 4:30 p.m. in the late afternoon, Vadodara police found an abandoned white car at (near) a circle on the airport road. Robbers were very fast but the police could V- link the clues. The security was tightened in (at) the airport and the railway station. It took time, but at midnight, the robbers were held near Vadodara railway station and the valuables were recovered.

Answer the questions :
Question 1.
What happened in the morning ?
Answer:
There was a phone call in the morning at 9:30 informing about a robbery.

Question 2.
Where did the robbery take place ?
Answer:
The robbery took place in a bank on the S. P. Road.

Question 3.
Where was the money kept?
Answer:
The money was kept in a box in the strong room.

Question 4.
When did the police get the first clue ?
Answer:
The police got the first clue at 1 p.m.

Question 5.
What did Vadodara police find ? When ? Where ?
Answer:
The Vadodara police found an abandoned white car at 4 p.m. near a circle on the airport road.

3. Read the excerpts from the Reads of the textbook. Identify the words / phrases indicating time and location / place. Underline them and write T = Time and L = Location / Place.

(1) The good Lord was extremely busy that day [T]. He was into his sixth day [T] of overtime. When he was working with full concentration, an angel appeared and commented, “You are taking so much care for creating this creature.” (A Wonderful Creation)

(2) For twenty-five years [T], the residents of Taj Nagar village [L] near Gurugram [L]. lobbied for a railway station [L] in their village [L]. (Against the Odds)

(3) I still remember that morning [T] of the year 1887 [T]. I was just seven years of age then. My teacher Anne Sullivan came to our house [L] that day [T]. Next day [T] she led me into her room [L] and gave me a doll. (I Love You, Teacher)

(4) In 1890 [T], at the age of about ten, I moved to the Perkins Institution [L] (I Love You, Teacher)

(5 ) One of our favourite festivals in India [L] is Deepavali, or Diwali as it is known in the North [L] There is nothing to match the excitement when crackers go off in the night sky [L] with a loud bang and a brilliant shower of colours. (Playing with Fire)

(6) Six minutes to six m, said the clock above the information desk [L] in New York’s Grand Central Station [L]. A tall, young lieutenant lifted his face, narrowed his eyes, and noted the time. His heart was beating fast. In six minutes [T] he was going to see the woman who had been in his thoughts for the past thirteen months [T]. (Test of True Love)

4. Read the clever answers and guess what could be the real answers.

Example : What is your name ?
My name means ‘lotus’ in Gujarati.
Answer:
Kamal

Question 1.
Where were you born ?
I was born where Mahatma Gandhi was born.
Answer:
At Porbandar

Question 2.
What is your date of birth ?
I was born when Dr Sarvapalli Radha- krishnan was born.
Answer:
On 5th September

Question 3.
At what time where you born ?
I was born when Lord Krishna was born.
Answer:
At 12 a.m.

Question 4.
When do you get up every day ?
When I get up, the hands of the clock are 180°.
Answer:
At 6 a.m.

Question 5.
Where exactly is your house ?
The world’s most beautiful marble monument is only two minutes’ walk from my home.
Answer:
In Agra

Question 6.
Where do you live ?
I belong to the city of Sabarmati Ashram.
Answer:
In Ahmadabad

Question 7.
Where exactly is the book ?
It is where I take my meals every day.
Answer:
On the dining table

Question 8.
When do you learn photography ?
I learn it once in a week when Bollywood movies are released.
Answer:
On Friday

Question 9.
Where have you kept the TV ?
It is where I sleep every night.
Answer:
In bedroom

Question 10.
Where is the photograph?
I need to turn 180° to see it.
Answer:
Behind me

5. Take turns to ask questions to get the given answers.

Question 1.
Where is your shop ?
Answer:
On M. G. Road

Question 2.
When will you go to school ?
Answer:
At 12.30 p.m.

Question 3.
Where are your books ?
Answer:
In the room

Question 4.
Where is your office ?
Answer:
Near Gandhinagar

Question 5.
Where is the ashram ?
Answer:
On the banks of the Narmada.

Question 6.
Where is your village ?
Answer:
Between Vadodara and Surat.

Question 7.
Where did Gandhiji begin the salt satyagraha ?
Answer:
At Dandi

Question 8.
When will we go for a movie ?
Answer:
In the evening

Question 9.
When was Lord Krishna born ?
Answer:
At midnight

Question 10.
When will you go for a picnic ?
Answer:
On Sunday

6. Read about Sharmin’s travel plan of India. Fill in the blanks using words from the brackets to complete the plan.

(at, on, towards, in, to, from, of)

Sharmin will take a flight to Mumbai on Friday, 5th November from the Heathrow Airport, London. She arrives in Mumbai on 6th November, sometime in the afternoon. She has booked an overnight stay in a hotel. Next day, she will visit the Gateway of India and Haji Ali Dargah in Mumbai.

She has marked 8th November for the Elephanta Caves, which is a network of sculpted caves located on the Elephanta Island, 10 km. to the east of the city of Mumbai. She is travelling to Ajanta Caves on the 9th. The Ajanta Caves, in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra state, are 30 rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments.

The caves include some finest examples of Indian art. From the Ajanta caves, she is heading towards the North¬West and arrives in Ahmedabad on Wednesday morning. Following her hectic schedule, she will rest and visit the Sabarmati Ashram and the .S’ Sabarmati River Front in the evening. She leaves for Lothal at 6 a.m. on Thursday.

She has also hired a travel guide who will accompany her to Lothal, one of the most prominent cities of the ancient Indus Valley Civilisation, located in the Bhaal region. Sharmin is staying in Gujarat from 11th to 13th November. During her stay, she will also visit Rani ki Vaav in Patan and Lakshmi Vilas Palace in Vadodara. She is flying back to London on 14th from the Sardar Patel International Airport, Ahmedabad.

7. Here is a map of a school and the – X key to the alphabets. Describe the school using them.

Key	You may frame sentences like
m = main Entrance	The main entrance of the school is in the South.
n = side Entrance	The side entrance of the school is in the North-East.
b = administrative office	The administrative office of the school is in the East.
o = science Block	The Science block of the school is in the West.
j = security cabin	The security cabin of the school is in the South-West.
k = Physics Lab	The Physics Lab. of the school is in the West.
1 = Botany Lab	The Botany Lab. of the school is in the North-West.
a = Library	The library of the school is in the North.
g = playground	The playground of the school is in the middle.
c = Boy’s washroom	The boys’ washroom of the school is in the North-East.
d = Girl’s washroom	The girls’ washroom of the school is in the North-West.
e, h = classrooms	The classrooms of the school are in the South and West.
i = Computer Lab	The Computer Lab. of the school is in the North.
s = staff room	The staff room of the school is in the South-East.
z = Canteen	The canteen of the school is in the East.

8. Study the table carefully. Add five more sentences to it using different words/ phrases indicating time or location / place.

Time	Subject	Verb	Object	Place	Time
	I	have	breakfast	in the kitchen	every morning.
	They	play	kho-kho	on the playground	every Saturday.
	My friend	is swimming		in the river.
Every Sunday	Robert	attends	prayer	in the church near the town hall.
In 1890, at the age of about ten,	I	moved		to the Perkins Institution.
On 28th June, 1904,	Helen Keller	graduated		from the Red Cliff college.

Answer:

Time	Subject	Verb	Object	Place	Time
	Soham	learns	Sanskrit	in the pathshala	every Sunday.
Every evening,	we	sit		in our garden.
Last year,	Kiran	visited	his house	in his native village.
	The children	are running		in the corridor.
Every Monday,	grandfather	visits		the Shiva temple.

Writing

Question 1.
Jeet, who has recently moved to a hostel, writes a letter to his mother about his roommate, food and warden. Complete the letter by filling in the blanks using the alternatives from the brackets.
Answer:
(provision of both outdoor and indoor sports – I don’t like here at all-each other in our study and live like brothers – will end your worries about my stay away from you and home – variety if there is any special occasion – I hate the food provided here-please don’t worry about the quality of food.]
Room No. 27,
Pragna Hostel,
Ahmadabad.
25th June, 2016
Dear Mamma,
I hope this letter will end your worries about my stay away from you and home. There are no difficulties in the hostel. Introduction with one another is over. Everyone is having a 5 fine time here. I am lucky to have a very fine boy as my roommate. His name is Mantra. We s help each other in our study and live like ? brothers. The food served here is good and i nutritive. It is not very different from what I got ? at home. You needn’t worry about the quality of food. The dining hall is clean and spacious. There is greater variety if there is any special occasion. Our warden takes good care of each of us. Not only this, there is provision of both outdoor and indoor sports, Iparticipate in them regularly. I am doing fine here. Please don’t t worry about my study and my health. Convey my humble regards to Dear Papa and love to Aatmaja. Reply as early as possible.
With love,
Your loving son,
Jeet.

Question 2
Study the information about the Best village of Gujarat – Punsari.
– District: Sabarkantha
– System : Panchayati Raj
– Population : 6,000 (2012)
– Facilities: mineral water supply, Health Care Centre, banking services, toll-free complaint centre, minibusses for transportation, 120 speakers for announcements, five primary schools with CC-TV cameras, underground drainage system, toilet in each home, school dropout ratio is zero, 25 CC-TV cameras at the village junction
– Best Village Panchayat of Gujarat Award,Best Gram Sabha Award at national level -Future plans (2014)-Wi-Fi connectivity,setting up a library .Now write a paragraph on it.
Answer:
Punsari village, in the Sabarkantha district of Gujarat, has won the award for the Best Village Panchayat of Gujarat. It was also awarded as the Best Gram Sabha at the national level. What is so special about Punsari  Well, Punsari is a small village with a population of about 6000 (in 2012). It has the Panchayati Raj system.

Punsari is the first village to supply mineral water for drinking. It has a well-maintained Health Care Centre. It also provides good banking services to the villagers. Most of the villagers have a bank account. It is the only village panchayat to have a toll-free complaint centre.

There are good roads in the village and so the panchayat was able to start mini buses for transportation. Punsari, being a small village, the panchayat has installed 120 speakers for public announcement across the village. There are 25 CC-TV cameras at the village junction. There are five primary schools, which also have installed CC-TV cameras in their premises.

The school dropout ratio in this village is zero! This is the only village in the district which has an underground drainage system. Each house has a toilet, too.In future, Punsari Gram Panchayat is also thinking of providing Wi-Fi facilities to all the villagers. They are also planning to set up a public library for the students and all the villagers.

Question 3.
Read the following bar graph showing details of solar power generation capacity of some states. Try to find out which state was a leader in solar power production in the past. Which one leads now? Which state is in stiff competition with the leading state? Which state is lagging behind? Explain the details in simple sentences.
Answer:

You can start like this : This bar graph shows the information of solar power generation capacity of some of the states of India. Gujarat was ahead of all in production of solar power till 2015. But today Rajasthan leads in the generation of solar power.

However, Tamil Nadu is giving a tough competition to Rajasthan. Uttar Pradesh is the only state that was never in competition. It was lagging behind in the past and it still lags behind all the states. In short, in the past, Gujarat led in the generation of solar power. It was followed by Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh. Today, Rajasthan leads in the generation of solar power. It is followed by Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh.

Question 4.
Write your Ideas on ‘Making My Village / City Better’. You may use these clues.
(present facilities – facilities required – your ideas to motivate people Model People’s Participation Programme of improving at least two facilities – its possible effects on the village life – give a new name to the campaign)
Answer:
Making My Village Better
I live in a small village in Saurashtra. In the past few years, my village has developed a lot. There are good roads, transport facilities, Primary Health Centre and a post office. There are two primary schools and one high school in my village. But I feel a lot can be still done. And this can be done with the help and cooperation of the people of the village.

I would like to implement the PPP (People’s Participation Programme) model to implement my ideas. First, I would like to see some changes in education. I would like to have a college in my village. Today, many students do not get college education, because the nearest college is almost 25 km. away in a town. I would also like to open a night school for adults, especially the women. Women’s empowerment is a must today.

Secondly, I would like to have a good library in the village. There should be a bank, too. And every household in the village should have at least one account in the bank. There are good irrigation facilities. But I would like the farmers to use better seeds and latest techniques and equipment for farming.

The most important improvement that I would like to make is – electricity. I will educate the people about the benefits of solar energy. I would encourage them to make most of this natural source of energy. All these facilities would make my village an ideal place to live in. People would have a better life. I would like to name my campaign ‘Maru Gaam, Aadarsh Gaam’.

Exam-Oriented Study Material

1. Read the extracts and answer the questions.

(1) For twenty-five years, residents of Taj Nagar village near Gurugram lobbied for, a railway station in their village. When their demand was not met, the villagers decided to take matters into their own hands. They pooled in twenty-one lakh rupees and built a railway station on their own.

Question 1.
For what did the residents of Taj Nagar lobby ? How long ?
Answer:
The residents of Taj Nagar lobbied for a railway station in their village for twenty-five years.

Question 2.
What did the villagers decide? Why?
Answer:
The villagers decided to take matters into their own hands because their demand for a railway station was not met.

Question 3.
How much money did they collect ?
Answer:
They collected twenty-one lakh rupees.

(2) Most of the three thousand people living in the village are farmers. But such was the burning desire to have a station in the village, everybody contributed according to their capacity. Ranging from three thousand rupees to seventy-five thousand rupees. “They donated money for the station and we started the construction in January 2008,” said Ranjit Singh, a former village sarpanch.

Question 1.
What are most of the people living in the village ?
Answer:
Most of the people living in the village are farmers.

Question 2.
What shows the burning desire of the people to have a station in the village ?
Answer:
The people were so keen to have a railway station in the village that everybody contributed according to their capacity – from three thousand rupees to seventy-five thousand rupees.

Question 3.
What was the burning desire of the people ?
Answer:
The burning desire of the people was to have a railway station in their village.

Question 4.
When did the construction of the station begin ?
Answer:
The construction of the station began in January 2008.

(3)“There are a large number of people in the village who need to go to Gurugram, Delhi and Rewar. There are students who go to colleges. Till now, we had to either go to Halimandi or Patli to catch a train. Both the stations are six kilometres away from Taj Nagar.

We thought when the railway lines passed through the village we would have a station here. But that didn’t happen. So we raised the demand in 1982 and have been continuously asking for it, but the railways told us that they did not have funds. So, finally we decided to craft our own destiny,” said Hukamchand, a member of the committee.

Question 1.
Where did the villagers have to go to catch a train?
Answer:
The villagers had to go to Halimandi or Patli to catch a train.

Question 2.
How far are Halimandi and Patli from Taj Nagar?
Answer:
Halimandi and Patli are six kilometres from Taj Nagar.

Question 3.
Why did the villagers think that they should have a station in their village ?
Answer:
The villagers thought that they should have a station in their village because the railway lines passed through the village.

Question 4.
What was the response of the railways to the villagers’ demand?
Answer:
The railways told the villagers that they did not have funds to build a railway station in their village.

(4) As a result, the panchayat passed a resolution in 2008, saying that since the railway was not able to build a station for them, they would do it for themselves and with their own money! Soon, an eleven member team was formed and the team started collecting money from villagers. On 7 January 2010, as a result of j their efforts, the first railway station in s ‘ the country, on which the railway did not have to spend a single rupee, started operations.

Question 1.
What resolution did the panchayat pass ?
Answer:
The panchayat passed a resolution that since the railways was not able s to build a station for them they would do it for themselves and with their own money.

Question 2.
What did the eleven member team do?
Answer:
The eleven member team started (collecting money from the villagers to build a railway station).

Question 3.
What is special about the Taj Nagar railway station ?
Answer:
The Taj Nagar railway station is the first station in the country on which the railway did not spend a single rupee as it was build with the people’s money.

(5) In rural Uttar Pradesh, over sixty percent of households are without power. Sitapur district is one such place with no power. A small social enterprise called Mera Gao Power (MGP) is trying to change things. They are putting two solar panels 5 at a time. In just over a year, MGP has connected more than 3,500 customers to solar power mini-grids at a village level.

Question 1.
What is the main problem in rural Uttar Pradesh ?
Answer:
The main problem in rural Uttar Pradesh is that over sixty percent of households are without power.

Question 2.
How is MGP trying to change things?
Answer:
MGP are trying to change things by putting two solar panels at a time.

Question 3.
What is the result of MGP’s efforts?
Answer:
As a result of MGP’s effort, more than 3,500 customers are connected to solar power mini-grids at the village level.

(6) Village by village, MGP is building a network of low cost solar micro-grids that provide two LED lights and a mobile charging point to all paying households at a cost of twenty-five rupees per week. That is cheaper than kerosene, which can cost almost double across a month. Solar power, as a ‘smokeless’ source of light, comes with added benefits to customer health.

Question 1.
What is MGP doing?
Answer:
MGP is building a network of low cost solar micro-grids that provide two LTD lights and a mobile charging point to all paying households at a cost of twenty-five rupees per week.

Question 2.
What are the advantages of solar power ?
Answer:
Solar power is cheaper than kerosene and being a smokeless source of light, it is good for the customer’s health.

Question 3.
What facilities does MGP provide with a network of low cost solar micro¬grids ?
Answer:
MGP provides two LED lights and a mobile charging point with a network of low cost solar microgrids.

(7) Installing a micro-grid is a grand event in the village and everyone gets involved. In the village of Damdampurawa, the team maps the village, house by house, beneath the scorching mid-day sun, working out where to place each wire so as to connect the customer to the power source. Some householders join in, while others look on, calling out orders or watching the curious proceedings wideeyed.

Question 1.
Why does the team map the village ?
Answer:
The team maps the village to work out where to place each wire so as to connect the customer to the power source.

Question 2.
Why is installation of a micro-grid a grand event ?
Answer:
Installation of micro-grid is a grand event because everyone gets involved in it-some join in, while others look on, calling out orders or watching the proceedings with curiosity and surprise.

(8) The roof of a sturdy, brick-walled house in each village is always chosen as the site for the panels and the battery. Azaz, one of the company’s first electrician to be recruited from the local district block of Reusa, installs the panel in a southerly direction to capture as much sunlight as possible.

Question 1.
Where are the panels and the battery installed ?
Answer:
The panels and the battery are installed on the roof of a sturdy, brick-walled house.

Question 2.
Why is the panel installed in a southerly direction? OR How is the panel installed?
Answer:
The panel is installed in a southerly direction to capture as much sunlight as possible.

Question 3.
Who is Azaz ?
Answer:
Azaz is one of the company’s first electrician, who is recruited from the local district block of Reusa.

(9) “We’re saving our environment with these lights, and there’s no pollution in our homes either,” says a farmer from the village. “New businesses are starting to emerge amongst the customers too,” says another. “In one village, customers are using the light to weave saris by night. In another, one man now has a night business making plastic tablecloth,” he says. “It’s nice to have light while we cook and eat. Our children are also studying more now!”

Question 1.
What are the advantages of solar power ?
Answer:
Solar power saves environment, stops pollution and helps to start new businesses.

Question 2.
Why are the people of the village happy ?
Answer:
The people of the village are happy because they have light while they cook and eat and the children are also studying more.

Question 3.
In one village, customers are using the light to….
Answer:
In one village, customers are using the light to weave saris by night.

Question 4.
One man has a night business of….
Answer:
One man has a night business of making plastic tablecloth.

(10) In Kerala, the Palakkad District Public Library has been up and running since ‘ September 2013. It is a fine modern library, a centre for information, knowledge, wisdom, cultural activities, research and reference. But it has recently been in the news for different reasons. A third of its thousand members are women. These women, supported by the shared space the library offered them, launched a women’s unit in February, 2014. The unit got together to discuss methods of empowering women.

Question 1.
When was the Palakkad District Library — started ?
Answer:
The Palakkad District Library was started in September 2013.

Question 2.
What is unique about the library members ?
Answer:
One-third of the thousand members of the library are women.

Question 3.
The library is a centre for…
Answer:
The library is a centre for information, knowledge, wisdom, cultural activities, research and reference.

Question 4.
Why was the library in news ?
Answer:
The library was in news because the women members, supported by the shared space the library offered them, launched a women’s unit in February, 2014.

Question 5.
What did the women’s unit discuss ?
Answer:
The women’s unit discussed methods of empowering women.

(11) The library opened its halls for film screening, workshops in home economics or gardening, child care or the arts, and for women to get help in managing family? conflicts, legal disputes and professional problems.The secretary of the library pointed out that through reading, women would s realize their own strength and forge a unity.

Question 1.
What did the secretary point out ?
Answer:
The secretary pointed out that through reading, women would realize their own strength and forge a unity.

Question 2.
How does the library help women?
Answer:
The library helps women to manage family conflicts, legal disputes and professional problems.

Question 3.
What kind of workshops are conducted in the library ?
Answer:
Workshops in home economics,gardening, child care and arts are conducted in the library.

Question 4.
For what did the library open its halls ? for?
Answer:
The library opened its halls for film screening, workshops in home economics or gardening, child care or the arts, and for women to get help in managing family conflicts, legal disputes and professional problems.

(12) It was noted that the lending libraries of earlier times were disappearing and the present rural reading rooms were too often full of only male readers. The unit discussed that if the once well-read women of Kerala continued to squander their hours in front of television, it would encourage a climate in which women are afraid to go out after dark. So, the unit has formulated plans on opening separate reading rooms for women.

Question 1.
What was the problem of the libraries of earlier times and the present times ?
Answer:
The libraries of the earlier times were disappearing and the libraries of the present times were too full of male readers.

Question 2.
If the women wasted their time in watching TV,… .
Answer:
If the women wasted their time in watching TV, it would encourage a climate in which women are afraid to go out after dark.

Question 3.
What has the women’s unit planned ?
Answer:
The women’s unit has planned to open separate reading rooms for women.

(13) Palakkad’s district library stands tall as a beacon to encourage women’s empowerment through classes, clubs, workshops and reading rooms. And then, there are the books, which will provide the women the strength they need to make good use of these opportunities.

Question 1.
How does the library encourage women empowerment ?
Answer:
The library encourages women empowerment through classes, clubs, workshops and reading rooms.

Question 2.
How will the books help women?
Answer:
The books will give women the strength to make good use of opportunities to empower them-selves.

Question 3.
What does the library stand as?
Answer:
The library stands as a beacon to encourage women’s empowerment through classes, clubs, workshops and reading rooms.

2. Frame sentences using the given set of words. You may change the forms of the words.

(1) demand – take matter into hands
When the students demand was not met, they took the matters into their hands and boycotted the classes.

(2) pool in – build
The children have pooled in money to build a small tree-house.

(3) burning desire – craft destiny
The youth have a burning desire to craft their own destiny.

(4) as a result of – effort
As a result of our efforts, we have been able to force the authorities to reduce the school fees.

(5) squander – encourage
Parents should not encourage children to squander their pocket money on useless things.

3 Fill in the blanks selecting the correct words from the brackets.

(1) (households, to provide, rural, power)
There are no proper roads and other facilities in many rural areas. Many households are without power. But now the government has decided to provide all facilities to them.

(2) (realize, craft, strength, destiny)
The youth should craft their own destiny. They must realize their strength and work for their future.

(3) (resolution, capacity, passed, contributed)
All the students passed a resolution to help the flood victims. Each student contributed according to his or her capacity.

(4) (knowledge, grand, construction, centre)
The construction of the new school was completed last year. The inauguration was s a grand event. The principal said that it would be a centre of knowledge.

(5) (encourage, former, opportunity, support)
The former chief minister of the state has decided to support the young who want s to stand for the elections. He has decided I to encourage the youth by giving them s an opportunity to serve the people.

(6) (launched, cheap, emerged, benefit)
This government will provide cheap power to the villages. This will benefit many poor people. One such scheme was launched by the Prime Minister. As a result of this, many new businesses have emerged in the rural areas.

(7) (environment, source, installed, pollution)
Sun is the major source of energy. Many solar panels are installed in villages and cities. This reduces pollution and helps to save the environment.

(8) (connected, local, offer, discussed)
The local leaders discussed methods to keep the youth connected to their village. \ They have decided to offer better jobs s in and around the village.

(9) (manage, sturdy, recently, reason)
Though this house is old, it is quite sturdy and it is easy to manage it, too. That is the reason why our grandparents still live here. But it was renovated recently.

(10) (well-read, strength, emerging, information)
A lot of new careers are emerging because of globalization. The youth are well-read and they have a lot of information about everything. This is their greatest strength.

(11) (opportunity, curious, wisdom, noted)
Birbal was known for his wit and wisdom. He never missed any opportunity to prove this. He noted that all the ministers were curious to know how he solved problems easily.

(12) (realize, offer, squander, lend)
Do you realize how expensive this dress is? How much discount does the shopkeeper offer for it ? You should not squander your money. And I will not lend you any money.

(13) (formulate, continuously, conflict, effort)
We have been working continuously to formulate a plan overcome the crisis. It’s a team effort. There is no conflict within the team.

(14) (members, workshop, shared, empower)
The workshop was organized to discuss methods to empower women. All the members participated in the discussion and shared their ideas.

4. Write short notes using the given questions /points.

Question 1.
Taj Nagar Railway Station
(What was the need for a railway station ? – Why did the people want a railway station ? -What was the response of the railways ? – What did the villagers then do? -How much money did they pool in ? – When was the railway station built ?)
Answer:
There were a large number of people and students in Taj Nagar who had to go to Gurugram, Delhi and Rewar. They had to either go to Halimandi or Patli to catch a train. Both the stations are six kilometres away. The railway lines passed through the village and so the people demanded a railway station there in 1982. But the railways refused saying that they did not have any funds. So the villagers decided to build a station themselves. Everybody contributed according to their capacity, ranging from three thousand rupees to seventy-five thousand rupees. They pooled in twenty-one lakh rupees and built a railway station on their own. The station started operations on 7 January, 2010.

Question 2.
MGP’s Efforts for Solar Power in Sitapur District
(What has MGP done in the village ? -What do the solar micro-grids provide the customers ? -At what cost ? -Why does the MGP team map the village ? – What are the benefits of solar power ?)
Answer:
Mera Gao Power (MGP) has connected more than 3,500 customers to solar power mini-grids at the village level. MGP is building a network of low cost solar micro-grids that provide two LED lights and a mobile charging point to all paying households at a cost of twenty-five rupees per week. The MGP team maps the village, house by house, working out where to place each wire so as to connect customer to the power source. Due to solar micro-grids, there is no pollution and so the environment is also saved. Besides this, new businesses have also emerged in the villages. Children study more. The people enjoy cooking and eating in light.

Question 3.
Benefits of Solar Power
(cheap – smokeless source of light – customer’s health – saves environment – no pollution – new businesses – enjoy cooking and eating in light – children study more)
Answer:
Solar power is cheaper than kerosene, which can cost almost double in a month, It is a smokeless source of light, which comes with added benefits to customer’s health. Solar power saves environment because there is no pollution. New businesses have also started emerging because of solar power.

In one village, customers are using the light to weave saris by night. In another, one man now has a night business of making plastic tablecloth. The people of the village are happy because they have light while they cook and eat. Besides this, the children are also studying more.

Question 4.
Palakkad’s District Library
(when it was established – centre of knowledge, wisdom, etc. – women members -women’s unit-women’s empowerment -activities like film screening, workshops – women get help in family conflicts, legal disputes and professional problems – separate reading rooms for women – women’s empowerment through classes,clubs, workshops and reading rooms)
Answer:
The Palakkad District Public Library was established in September 2013. It is a centre for information, knowledge, wisdom, cultural activities, research and reference. A third of its thousand members are women. So the library launched a women’s unit in February, 2014. The unit got together to discuss methods of empowering women. The library opened its halls for film screening, workshops in home economics or gardening, child care or the arts.

The women also get help in managing family conflicts, legal disputes and professional problems. The unit formulated plans for opening separate reading rooms for women. It encourages women’s empowerment through classes, clubs, workshops and reading rooms.

5. Select the title of the Read related with each sentence.

(Note: Important sentences of this Read are given here.)

(1) When their demand was not met, the villagers decided to take matters into their own hands.
(2) Such was the burning desire to have a station in the village, everybody contributed according to their capacity.
(3) Till now, we had to either go to Halimandi or Patli to catch a train. Both the stations are six kilometres away from Taj Nagar.
(4) We thought when the railway lines passed through the village we would have a station here.
(5) We raised the demand in 1982 and have been continuously asking for it, but the railways told us that they did not have s funds.
(6) Finally we decided to craft our own destiny
(7) As a result of their efforts, the first railway station in the country, on which the railway did not have to spend a single rupee, started operations.
(8) A small social enterprise called Mera Gao Power (MGP) is trying to change things.
(9) In just over a year, MGP has connected more than 3,500 customers to solar power mini-grids at a village level.
(10) Village by village, MGP is building a network of low cost solar micro-grids that provide two LED lights and a mobile charging point to all paying households at a cost of twenty-five rupees per week.
(11) Solar power, as a ‘smokeless’ source of light, comes with added benefits to customer health.
(12) Installing a micro-grid is a grand event in the village and everyone gets involved.
(13) The roof of a sturdy, brick-walled house in each village is always chosen as the site for the panels and the battery.
(14) We’re saving our environment with these lights, and there’s no pollution in our homes either.
(15) New businesses are starting to emerge amongst the customers too.
(16) It’s nice to have light while we cook and eat. Our children are also studying ? more now!
(17) A third of its thousand members are women.
(18) The unit got together to discuss methods of empowering women.
(19) The library opened its halls for film screening, workshops in home economics or gardening, child care or the arts, and for women to get help in managing family
conflicts, legal disputes and professional problems.
(20) Through reading, women would realize their own strength and forge a unity.
(21) The unit has formulated plans on opening separate reading rooms for women.
(22) There are the books, which will provide the women the strength they need to make good use of these opportunities.

6. Fill in the blanks selecting the correct words from the brackets.

(has informed, beautiful, to, will inaugurate, in)
Mr Das will fly to Mumbai tomorrow. His secretary has informed him about the flight and accommodation in the hotel. Mr Das will inaugurate their new office in Mumbai tomorrow. It is a beautiful office.

7. Complete the sentences using the functions given in the brackets.

(1) The farewell party was held last evening. (specifying time)
(2) Hemantbhai’s shop is located near the station, (specifying location)
(3) I met Vinay in the morning. (specifying time)
(4) Minal has gone to the library. (specifying location)
(5) Ranjan will be in office at 10 a.m. (specifying time)
(6) Mohan has rented a house on M. G. Road, (specifying location)
(7) We celebrate Independence Day on 15th August, (specifying time)
(8) Ramjibhai works in a post office. (specifying location)

8. Complete the dialogue using the functions given in the brackets.

Heena :Where are you going?
Nita : I am going to the library ?
Heena : Where is it ?
Nita : It is opposite the clock tower. (specifying location)
Heena : Oh, I see. When will you come back ?
Nita: I think I will be back at 6 o’clock.

Against the Odds Summary in Gujarati

તાજનગરના પાય છેલ્લાં પચીસ વર્ષોથી, ગુડગાંવ પાસેના તાજનગર ગામનાં નિવાસીઓએ તેમના ગામમાં રેલવે સ્ટેશન માટે પ્રયાસ કર્યો. જ્યારે તેમની માગણી સંતોષવામાં આવી નહીં, ત્યારે ગ્રામજનોએ આ બાબતને પોતાના હાથમાં લેવાનો નિર્ણય કર્યો. તેમણે એકવીસ લાખ રૂપિયાનું ભંડોળ એકઠું કરીને તેમની જાતે રેલવે સ્ટેશન બાંધ્યું. આ ગામમાં વસતાં ત્રણેક હજાર લોકોમાંથી મોટા ભાગના ‘ લોકો ખેડૂતો છે.

પણ ગામમાં રેલવે સ્ટેશન માટેની એવી પ્રબળ ઇચ્છા હતી કે સૌએ પોતાની ક્ષમતા પ્રમાણે ફાળો આપ્યો. ત્રણ હજાર રૂપિયાથી માંડીને પંચોતેર હજાર રૂપિયા સુધી. “તેમણે સ્ટેશન માટે પૈસા આપ્યા અને અમે જાન્યુઆરી 2008માં બાંધકામ શરૂ ક્યું.” એક ભૂતપૂર્વ સરપંચ રણજિત સિંહે કહ્યું.

ગુડગાંવ, દિલ્લી અને રેવાર જનાર લોકોની ઘણી મોટી સંખ્યા આ ગામમાં છે. કૉલેજ જનાર વિદ્યાર્થીઓ (પ) હોય છે. આજ સુધી અમારે ગાડી પકડવા માટે હાલીમી અથવા પાટલી જવું પડતું. બંને સ્ટેશન તાજનગરથી છ કિલોમીટર દૂર છે. અમને લાગ્યું કે જ્યારે રેલવે લાઇન ગામમાંથી જ પસાર થાય છે, તો અમારે અહીં સ્ટેશન હોવું જોઈએ. પણ તેમ થયું નહીં. તેથી 1982માં અમે માગણી કરી હતી અને ત્યારથી સતત માગણી કરતાં રહ્યાં છીએ, પણ રેલવે પાસે ભંડોળ નથી તેવું અમને કહેવામાં આવ્યું. તેથી છેવટે અમે અમારી નિયતિ સ્વયે ઘડી કાઢવાનું નક્કી કર્યું,” સમિતિના સભ્ય હુકમચંદે જણાવ્યું.

પરિણામે 2008માં પંચાયતે ઠરાવ પસાર કર્યો કે રેલવે તેમના માટે સ્ટેશન બાંધી શકતું ન હોવાથી, તેઓ તેમની જાતે જ બાંધશે અને તે પણ તેમના પોતાના પૈસાથી! તરત જ અગિયાર સભ્યોની એક ટીમની રચના કરવામાં આવી અને (આ) ટીમે ગ્રામજનો પાસેથી પૈસા એકઠા કરવાનું શરૂ કર્યું. તેમના અથાગ પ્રયત્નોના પરિણામે, 7 જાન્યુઆરી 2010થી દેશનું એવું એક પહેલું રેલવે સ્ટેશન કાર્યાન્વિત થયું, જેમાં રેલવેનો એક રૂપિયો પણ વપરાયો ન હતો. સીતાપુરની લાઇટ ઉત્તર પ્રદેશના ગ્રામવિસ્તારોમાં સાઠ ટકા ઉપરાંત ઘરોમાં વીજળી નથી. આવી જ એક વીજળી વગરની જગ્યા છે સીતાપુર

જિલ્લો, Mera Gao Power (MSP) નામની એક નાની સામાજિક સંસ્થા પરિસ્થિતિ બદલવાનો પ્રયત્ન કરી રહી છે તેઓ એકી વખતે બે સોલર પૅનલ મૂકી રહ્યા છે, આશરે એક વર્ષમાં MGPએ ગ્રામ કક્ષાએ 3,500થી વધારે ગ્રાહકોને સોલર પાવર મિનિ-ગ્રિડ સાથે જોડ્યાં છે. એક પછી એક ગામમાં, MGP ઓછી કિંમતના સોલર માઇક્રો-ગ્રિડ્ઝનું નેટવર્ક (જાળું) ઊભું કરી રહ્યું છે, જેના દ્વારા ખર્ચ આપતાં ગ્રાહકોને બે LED લાઇટ અને એક મોબાઇલનું ચાર્જિંગ પૉઇન્ટ, અઠવાડિયે પચીસ રૂપિયાના દરે જો આપે છે. તે કેરોસીન કરતાં સસ્તું છે, કારણ કે) એક મહિનામાં તેનો (કેરોસીનનો) ખર્ચ બમણો આવે છે. સૌર-ઊર્જા, પ્રકાશનો એક ધૂમ્રરહિત સ્ત્રોત હોવાથી, ગ્રાહકના સ્વાથ્ય માટે વધારે લાભકારક છે.

ગામડામાં માઇક્રો-ગ્રિડ ઊભી કરવી એ એક ભવ્ય પ્રસંગ હોય છે અને દરેક જણ તેમાં રસ લે છે. દમદમપૂરાવા નામના હું એક ગામમાં, બપોરના બળબળતા તડકામાં એક ટીમ ઘરે ઘરે ફરીને આખાયે ગામની એક નકશો તૈયાર કરે છે, જેથી એ નક્કી કરી શકાય કે ગ્રાહકને પાવરના સ્રોત સાથે જોડવા માટે દરેક તાર ક્યાં મૂકી શકાય. અમુક ગ્રાહકો (આ કામમાં જોડાય છે,

જ્યારે બીજા કેટલાક ઊભા ઊભા આદેશ આપે અથવા આ રસપ્રદ કાર્યને કુતૂહલપૂર્વક જુએ છે.પૈનલ (તકતીઓ) અને બૅટરિ ગોઠવવા માટે દરેક ગામમાં એક મજબૂત, ઈંટની દીવાલવાળા ધરનું છાપરું પસંદ કરવામાં આવે છે. સ્થાનિક જિલ્લાના રેફસા બ્લૉકમાંથી કંપની દ્વારા ભરતી કરવામાં આવેલો સૌથી પહેલો ઈલેક્ટિશન એજાઝ, વધારેમાં વધારે સૂર્યપ્રકાશ પકડી શકાય તે રીતે પૅનલને દક્ષિણ દિશામાં બેસાડે છે.

“આ લાઇટથી અમે અમારા પર્યાવરણની રક્ષા કરીએ છીએ અને અમારા ઘરોમાં પણ પ્રદૂષણ થતું નથી.” ગામનો એક ખેડૂત કહે છે, “ગ્રાહકોમાં પણ નવા વ્યવસાય ઊભા થઈ રહ્યા છે,” એક બીજો (ખેડૂત) કહે છે. “એક ગામમાં ગ્રાહકો રાત્રે સાડી વણવામાં આ લાઇટનો ઉપયોગ કરે છે. બીજા એક ગામમાં એક માણસ માટે પ્લાસ્ટિકના ટેબલક્લૉથ બનાવવાનો રાતનો વ્યવસાય બની ગયો છે,” તે કહે છે.“રસોઈ અને ભોજન દરમિયાન લાઇટ હોય તો સારું લાગે છે. અમારાં બાળકો પણ હવે વધારે અભ્યાસ કરે છે.”

પલક્કડનું સાર્વજનિક ગ્રંથાલય કેરળમાં ધ પલક્કડ ડિસ્ટ્રિક્ટ પબ્લિક લાઇબ્રરિ (પલક્કડ જિલ્લાનું સ્થાનિક ગ્રંથાલય) સપ્ટેમ્બર 2013થી ચાલે છે, તે એક સરસ, આધુનિક ગ્રંથાલય છે – માહિતી, જ્ઞાન, વિદ્વત્તા, સાંસ્કૃતિક પ્રવૃત્તિઓ, સંશોધન અને સંદર્ભગ્રંથોનું એક કેન્દ્ર, પણ હાલમાં કેટલાંક જુદા જ કારણોસર તે સમાચારમાં છે. તેના એક હજાર સભ્યોમાંથી ત્રીજા ભાગના સભ્યો મહિલાઓ છે.

ગ્રંથાલયમાં આપવામાં આવેલી જગ્યામાં આ મહિલાઓએ ફેબ્રુઆરી, 2014માં મહિલા વિભાગ શરૂ કર્યો. આ વિભાગનાં સભ્યોએ એકઠાં મળીને સ્ત્રીસશક્તિકરણની પદ્ધતિઓ વિશે ચર્ચા કરી. ફિલ્મોનું પ્રદર્શન, ગૃહ, આર્થિક વ્યવસ્થા કે બાગાયત વિશે કાર્યશાળાઓ, બાળઉછેર અથવા કલા અને મહિલાઓને કૌટુંબિક ઝઘડા, કાયદાકીય તકરાર અને વ્યાવસાયિક પ્રશ્નોના ઉકેલમાં મદદ મળે તે માટે ગ્રંથાલયે તેના ખંડ ખુલ્લા મૂક્યા.

ગ્રંથાલયના સેક્રટ્રિ(મંત્રી)એ કહ્યું કે વાચન દ્વારા મહિલાઓ પોતાની શક્તિ પારખીને એકતા (સંગઠન) સાધી શકે છે. એ પણ ધ્યાનમાં આવ્યું હતું કે જૂના વખતનાં ગ્રંથાલયોની સંખ્યા ઘટી રહી હતી અને હાલના ગ્રામીણ વાચન ખંડો બહુધા પુરુષ વાચકોથી ભરેલા રહેતા હતા. મહિલા વિભાગે ચર્ચા કરી કે જો કેરળની બહુશ્રુત સ્ત્રીઓ ટેલિવિઝન સામે કલાકો સુધી બેસીને સમયનો દુર્વ્યય કરવાનું ચાલુ રાખશે, તો એક એવું વાતાવરણ ઊભું થશે, જેમાં સ્ત્રીઓ

અંધારું થતાં બહાર જતાં ડરશે. આથી (મહિલા) વિભાગે સ્ત્રીઓ માટે અલાયદા વાચન ખંડો ખોલવાની યોજનાઓ બનાવી છે. વર્ગો, ક્લબ, કાર્યશાળાઓ અને વાચન ખંડો દ્વારા સ્ત્રીસશક્તિકરણને પ્રોત્સાહન આપતી પલક્કડનું જિલ્લા ગ્રંથાલય એક પથદર્શક મશાલ જેવું છે અને વળી અહીં એવાં પુસ્તકો પણ છે, જે મહિલાઓને આવી તકનો સુયોગ્ય ઉપયોગ કરવા માટે જરૂરી શક્તિ આપે છે.

Word Meanings
Tracks to Taj Nagar

Sitapur’s Lights

Palakkad’s Public Library

Idioms And Phrases

Tracks to Taj Nagar

(1) to meet someone’s demand
The principal refused to meet the teachers’ demand of rise in salary.

(2) to take matters into one’s own hands
Instead of waiting for the police, the people took matters into their own hands and caught the thief.

(3) to pool in
How much money have the students pooled in for the function ?

(4) burning desire
It was Jay’s burning desire to own a beautiful new motorcycle.

(5) to raise a demand
The students have raised a demand to have a Sports Day every year.

(6) as a result
All the truck drivers are on strike. As a result, the vegetables have not been transported to the city.

Sitapur’s Light

(1) to get involved
All the villagers have got involved in digging a well in the village.

(2) to work out
We will work out the cost of the trip.

(3) to look on
While most of us were busy decorating the classroom, some students just sat and looked on.

(4) to call out
The commander called out the troops to march.

(5) as much as possible
We are trying to collect as much money as possible for the people affected by floods.

Palakkad’s Public Library

(1) up and running
Hemantbhai’s printing press has been up and running since last two years.

(2) to be in the news
Our school has been in the news for our most up-to-date library.

(3) to point out
The teacher called each student and pointed out his / her mistakes in the answer sheets.

(4) in front of
Please do not scold children in front of their classmates.

(5) to stand tall
Mihir’s good behaviour and manners make him stand tall among all his friends.

I feel… (Classroom / Individual Activity)
(1) What is great about the people of Taj Nagar ?
(2) What will be the qualities of the people of these places ?
(3) Underline the sentences showing the sentiments of these people.
(4) What did you feel when you read the underlined sentences. What would you have done if you had been the resident of that village ?