Summary of "Glimpses of India"
Part 1: A Baker from Goa
This part describes the traditional role of bakers in Goan culture. The Portuguese brought the art of baking to Goa, and even after their departure, the profession remained. Bakers, known as pader in Goa, were important figures in society.
The narrator recalls his childhood memories of waking up to the sound of the baker’s bamboo stick. The bakers wore a special dress called kabai, a long frock reaching down to their knees. The elders in the village often measured a baker’s prosperity by looking at his physique, as a plump body was considered a sign of good financial status.
Even today, bread-making is an essential profession in Goa. Traditional Goan feasts, marriages, and festivals are incomplete without bread and other baked items.
Part 2: Coorg
Coorg, also known as Kodagu, is a beautiful district in Karnataka, famous for its coffee plantations, lush forests, and rich culture. The chapter describes Coorg as a piece of heaven on Earth, surrounded by misty hills and breathtaking landscapes.
The people of Coorg are known for their bravery and hospitality. Many of them serve in the Indian Army, and their ancestors are believed to be descendants of Greek or Arabic soldiers. The Kodavas (Coorgis) have distinct cultural traditions and are known for their martial skills.
Tourists visit Coorg for adventure activities like river rafting, trekking, and bird-watching. The forests of Coorg are home to a variety of wildlife, including elephants and langurs. The chapter highlights Coorg as an ideal destination for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts.
Part 3: Tea from Assam
This part describes a journey to Assam, one of the largest tea-producing states in India. The narrator and his friend Rajvir travel by train to Assam, enjoying the scenic beauty of endless tea gardens.
Rajvir shares interesting facts about tea, mentioning that it was discovered in China accidentally when tea leaves fell into boiling water. He also explains how tea later spread to different parts of the world, including India.
Upon reaching Assam, the narrator is amazed by the vast tea estates and the hardworking laborers who pluck tea leaves. The chapter provides insights into the history, cultivation, and significance of tea in India.
Important Questions and Answers
A Baker from Goa
Q1. Why were bakers important in old Goan culture?
Ans: Bakers were important in Goan culture because bread was an essential part of every occasion, including feasts, marriages, and religious ceremonies.
Q2. What was the dress of a traditional Goan baker?
Ans: The traditional Goan baker wore a kabai, a long frock reaching down to the knees. Later, they wore a shirt and trousers that were shorter than full-length pants.
Q3. How did the children react to the baker?
Ans: Children eagerly waited for the baker, as he brought delicious bread and sweet buns. They loved to hear the sound of his bamboo stick announcing his arrival.
Coorg
Q4. Why is Coorg compared to ‘a piece of heaven’?
Ans: Coorg is called ‘a piece of heaven’ because of its lush green landscapes, misty hills, coffee plantations, and breathtaking natural beauty.
Q5. What is unique about Coorg’s people?
Ans: The people of Coorg are known for their bravery and hospitality. Many Kodavas serve in the Indian Army, and their culture has distinct traditions linked to Greek or Arabic origins.
Tea from Assam
Q6. Who was Rajvir? What did he tell the narrator about tea?
Ans: Rajvir was the narrator’s friend. He shared facts about the origin of tea, explaining that it was discovered in China and later became a popular drink worldwide.
Q7. How is tea cultivated in Assam?
Ans: Tea is grown in large plantations where laborers pluck fresh tea leaves. The leaves are processed in factories before being sent to markets worldwide.
NCERT Solutions for "Glimpses of India"
Thinking About the Text
A Baker from Goa
Q1. What are the elders in Goa nostalgic about?
Ans: The elders in Goa are nostalgic about the old Portuguese days and the traditional bakers. They remember the sound of the baker’s bamboo stick, the importance of bread in festivals, and how bakers played a vital role in their lives.
Q2. Is bread-making still popular in Goa? How do you know?
Ans: Yes, bread-making is still popular in Goa. The narrator mentions that the sons of traditional bakers continue the profession, and every village still has its bakers.
Q3. What is the baker called in Goa?
Ans: The baker is called a pader in Goa.
Q4. What did the bakers wear in the Portuguese days?
Ans: In the Portuguese days, the bakers wore a traditional dress called kabai, a long frock reaching down to their knees. Later, they wore shirts and trousers shorter than full-length pants.
Q5. When would the baker come every day? Why did the children run to meet him?
Ans: The baker came twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Children ran to meet him because they loved the bread-bangles and sweet bread he carried in his basket.
Coorg
Q1. Where is Coorg located?
Ans: Coorg (Kodagu) is located in Karnataka, between Mysore and Mangalore. It is a beautiful hill station known for coffee plantations and scenic beauty.
Q2. What is Coorg famous for?
Ans: Coorg is famous for its coffee plantations, misty hills, rich culture, and brave Kodava community, who are known for their martial traditions. It is also a major tourist attraction.
Q3. Describe the Kodavas of Coorg.
Ans: The Kodavas are a unique community known for their bravery and hospitality. Many of them serve in the Indian Army. Their culture is believed to have Greek or Arabic origins, and they have distinct customs and traditions.
Q4. What attracts tourists to Coorg?
Ans: Coorg attracts tourists with its coffee estates, dense forests, adventure sports like trekking and river rafting, and beautiful wildlife, including elephants and birds.
Tea from Assam
Q1. What did Rajvir see while traveling to Assam?
Ans: While traveling to Assam, Rajvir saw vast tea plantations, rolling hills covered with tea bushes, and workers plucking tea leaves.
Q2. What legends are associated with tea?
Ans: There are two legends associated with tea:
- Chinese legend: Emperor Shen Nung discovered tea when tea leaves accidentally fell into boiling water.
- Indian legend: Bodhidharma, a Buddhist monk, chewed tea leaves to stay awake during meditation.
Q3. How is tea important in India?
Ans: India is one of the largest producers of tea. It is grown in Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. Tea is an essential part of Indian culture, and millions of people start their day with a cup of tea.
Thinking About Language
Q1. Match the phrases in Column A with their meanings in Column B.
| Column A | Column B |
|---|---|
| i) Nostalgic about | Remembering the past fondly |
| ii) Looked after | Took care of |
| iii) Mourn the loss of | Feel sad about losing something |
| iv) Give up | Stop doing something |
| v) Get rid of | Remove or throw away |
| vi) Come alive | Become lively and active |
Writing Task
Q1. Describe a place you have visited and found interesting.
Ans: (Example Answer)
Last summer, I visited Manali, a beautiful hill station in Himachal Pradesh. The breathtaking mountains, green valleys, and fresh air made it an unforgettable experience. I enjoyed adventure activities like paragliding and trekking. The Beas River added to the scenic beauty, and I also explored the famous Hidimba Temple. Manali’s local markets were full of handmade woolen clothes and delicious Himachali food. It was one of the best trips of my life.