This chapter consists of a few extracts from the diary of Ruskin Bond. The chapter describes the author’s experiences in Mussoorie during the monsoons. On the first day of monsoon, the mist covered the hills. Bijju was calling his sister but the author could not see him due to mist. The next day the rain was warm and humid. Due to the monsoon, one can see leeches, leopard, and birds.
After a few days, rain stops and the Sun shines. Animals, birds, and people are out once again. It rained non-stop for more than a week which made everything damp. One can see the monsoon growth everywhere. The author says that this year monsoon continued for longer than usual. In January, Ruskin Bond wrote a poem on winter rain. He feels lonely now. In March, the winter ends and one can see a rainbow.
A Short Monsoon Diary Summary in English
In this chapter are the extracts from the diary of the famous author and nature lover Ruskin Bond. The author describes the flora and fauna during the monsoon in Mussoorie. He wrote these experiences day-wise.
June 24: It was the first day of the monsoon mist. It was a saddening mist. It concealed the hills and spread silence everywhere. The chirping of birds stopped suddenly.
June 25: It brings early monsoon rain. Due to this, the environment became humid and warm. The mist brings privacy and quietness. A boy asked him to describe hill station & valley in one sentence. Ruskin only said that it could have been a paradise.
June 27: Arrival of animals like a leopard and thousands of leeches marked by rain. The leopard lifted a dog from the servant quarter below the school. Due to rains, insect-eating birds had no dearth of food.
August 2: All night rain drummed on the tin roof. But there was no shower, no thunder.
August 3: Songs of whistling thrust appear, the rain stopped and clouds start to break up.
August 12: The atmosphere is surrounded by mist and endless rain. The writer cannot go anywhere. He looked outside through the window.
August 31: Snakes and rodents rushed out of their flooded homes. They went under the shelter of roof and godowns. The grandmother stopped children to kill ‘chuchundar’ because they are a symbol of luck and money.
October 3: Snowfalls appear at high altitudes & monsoon rain now becomes the winter rain. A hailstorm in the evening hit the place. He was alone in the house and listened to the rhythm of rain enveloped the house.
By the end of March, winter also ceased. Mussorie surrounded by black clouds over it. It hailed for half an hour. Sky becomes clear, and the rainbow was formed across it.
A Short Monsoon Diary Summary in Hindi
लेखक रस्किन बांड इस डायरी में प्रकृति के चमत्कारों, तथा जीवन की छोटी-छोटी खुशियों एवं दुखों का जिक्र करता है।
24 जून को पहली बार मानसून का कोहरा छाया था। कोहरा उदासी भरा था। उसने पहाड़ियों को ढंक लिया तथा शांति फैला दी। अचानक पक्षियों का कलरव थम गया।
25 जून को मानसून की पहली वर्षा हुई। मौसम कुछ गर्म तथा नमी वाला था। एक बालक ने उन्हें हिल स्टेशन तथा घाटी के बारे में जानकारी देने के लिए कहा। रस्किन ने केवल यही कहा कि यह हिल-स्टेशन स्वर्ग हो सकता था।
वर्षा के साथ तेंदुआ और हजारों जोक निकल आये। तेंदुआ नीचे स्कूल में बने नौकरों के घर से एक कुत्ता उठा ले गया। चूंकि वर्षा हो रही थी, कीड़े खाने वाले पक्षियों को भोजन की कमी नहीं रही।
2 अगस्त को सारी रात बारिश होती रही और ऊपर टीन की छत पर शोर करती रही। पर कोई बौछार या मेघ गर्जन नहीं हुआ। 3 अगस्त को वर्षा थम गई। बादल छंटने लगे। सीटी जैसी आवाज निकालने वाला पक्षी गाने लगा।
12 अगस्त को निरन्तर वर्षा होती रही और कोहरा छाया रहा। लेखक कहीं नहीं जा सकता था। वह केवल खिड़की से बाहर निहारता रहा।
31 अगस्त को साँप तथा चूहे अपने पानी भरे बिलों से बाहर आ गये। वे छतों तथा गोदामों में छिप गये। दादी ने बच्चों से कहा कि छछूदर को मत मारना क्योंकि वह भाग्यशाली होता है और समृद्धि लाता है।
3 अक्टूबर तक मानसून खत्म हो गया तथा ऊँचे पर्वत शिखरों पर जाड़े वाली वर्षा तथा हिमपात शुरु हो गए। ओलों वाला तूफान शाम को आ गया। लेखक अपने घर में बिल्कुल अकेला तथा शांत था। उसे केवल वर्षा की लय सुनाई दे रही थी। धुंध ने घर को ढंक लिया था। वृक्ष हरे-भरे नहीं वरन डरावने दिख रहे थे।
मार्च अंत तक शीत ऋतु भी खत्म हो गई। मसूरी के ऊपर काले बादल छा गये। लगभग आधा घंटे तक ओले गिरते रहे। जब आकाश साफ हुआ, उस पर आर-पार एक इंद्रधनुष बन गया।
The two great men exchange thoughts on what it means to live life in a wheelchair, and on how the so-called ‘normal’ people react to the disabled. This is the story of a travelogue, both of them ‘disabled’, or ‘differently-abled’ as we now say.
Stephen Hawking is one of the greatest scientists of our time. He suffers from a form of paralysis that confines him to a wheelchair and allows him to ‘speak’ only by punching buttons on a computer, which speaks for him in a machine-like voice.
Firdaus Kanga is a writer and journalist who lives and works in Mumbai. Kanga was born with “brittle bones’ that tended to break easily when he was a child. Like Hawking, Kanga moves around in a wheelchair
A Visit to Cambridge Summary in English
This chapter is an experience of the author in England. Cambridge University always had a great appeal for him. But, after an interview with Stephen Hawking, it became more appealing to him. During a walking tour there he met Stephen Hawking. Stephen William Hawking was an astrophysicist and was a disabled person. He was the successor of Isaac Newton’s chair in the Physics Department at Cambridge University. He was the author of the book, ‘A Brief History of Time’, the biggest best-seller of his times.
After the walking tour was over, he called at Steven Hawking’s house. His assistant answered the call. The author told him that he has come all the way from India and that he was in a wheelchair. He also indicated that he wished to write a book based on his travels in England and also his desire to meet Stephen Hawking. The assistant fixed the time from 3:30 to 4 for the meeting. The author was surprised to see that a machine was supporting his body. However, he composed himself to ask questions.
On being asked about his courage, Hawking replied that he had no other option than to be brave and accept his situation. He said that he was amused to see that people patronize him. When the author asked him that did he feels annoyed when people like him disturb him. He replied yes with a smile. During the interview, Hawking appears to be the most beautiful man in the world to the author.
The author also questioned him that is it that due to the disability, Hawking is not able to see humility and kindness in the world. Hawking agreed to this with the author. The interview came to the end with a piece of advice for the disabled or handicapped people. He said that they need to focus on the good in them and not their disability. They should not become over-enthusiastic and should do only in which they are good. After this, Hawking went into his garden. The author felt that his journey is inspiring as well as successful.
Moral of A Visit to Cambridge The physical handicap cannot be our limitation to achieve something great. It’s the ability of the mind that is more important. Thus, we shall focus on that.
A Visit to Cambridge Summary in Hindi
यह पाठ दो विकलांग व्यक्तियों के मिलने का विवरण देता है। दोनों ही अपने-अपने क्षेत्र में असाधारण थे। स्टीफेन हाकिंग एक महान वैज्ञानिक हैं यद्यपि वह पक्षाघात से प्रभावित हैं। वह अपनी पहियों वाली गाड़ी में ही आ-जा पाते हैं। वह एक कम्प्यूटर की मदद से ही अपनी बात कह सकते हैं। फिरदौस कंग मुम्बई स्थित लेखक और पत्रकार हैं। वह जन्म से ही कमजोर तथा भंगुर हडिड्यों वाले हैं। वह भी व्हील कुर्सी पर चल-फिर पाते है। उनकी हाकिंग से भेंट इंग्लैण्ड में होती है। ये दो महान हस्तियाँ विचार विमर्श करते हैं कि सामान्य लोगों का विकलांगों के प्रति क्या दृष्टिकोण होता है।
फिरदोस कैम्ब्रिज होते हुए इंग्लैण्ड का सैर करने गये थे। उनके गाइड ने उन्हें स्टीफन हाकिंग के बारे में बताया जो विश्वविद्यालय में न्यूटन की जगह पर काम कर रहे थे। परन्तु, हाकिंग विक्लांग व्यक्ति थे। उन्होंने ‘समय का इतिहास’ नामक पुस्तक लिखी थी जो सर्वाधिक बिकने वाली पुस्तकों में एक थी।
फिरदोस ने हाकिंग को फोन करके बताया कि वह भारत से आएं हैं और उनसे मिलना चाहते हैं एवं इंग्लैण्ड यात्रा पर पुस्तक लिखना चाहते हैं। हाकिंग ने उन्हें आधा घंटे का समय वार्तालाप के लिये दिया। उस जैसे व्हील चेहर पर बैठे व्यक्ति से मिलने के विचार से फिरदोस का हौसला बढ़ गया। दोनों ही असहाय थे। उनके शरीर का दिनोंदिन क्षय हो रहा था। हाकिंग के हाथ में एक छोटा-सा स्विच था। वह अपनी अंगुली चलाकर कम्प्यूटर पर उपयुक्त शब्द खोज लेते थे। अक्सर ही वह थक जाते थे। पर उनका मस्तिष्क प्रतिभावान तथा विचारों से भरपूर था।
फिरदोस ने कहा कि लोग अक्सर यह सोचते हैं कि विकलांग व्यक्ति दुखी रहते हैं। हाकिंग ने इसे हास्यास्पद धारणा कहा। उन्होंने स्वीकार किया कि उनसे मिलने जब कोई दूसरा विकलांग आता है तथा उनके काम में विघ्न डालता है, तो यह उन्हें नागवार लगता है। उनके लिये शरीर तो एक डब्बा है जिसमें उनका तेज दिमाग तथा आत्मा बसती है। विकलांग होने में उन्हें कोई अच्छी बात नहीं लगती थी।
इस वैज्ञानिक की ऐसी खराब स्थिति देखकर फिरदोस को बहुत राहत मिली यद्यपि वह स्वयं भी न चल सकता था, न खड़ा हो सकता था। होकिंग को विकलांगों की खेल प्रतियोगिता का विचार भी पसंद नहीं आया। विकलांगों को उनकी यही सलाह थी कि अपने उस काम पर ध्यान दो जिसमें तुम कुशल हो।
हाकिंग ने फिरदोस को आधा घंटे के बजाय एक घंटे तक रोके रखा। उन्हें चाय पिलायी तथा अपना बगीचा दिखाया। अपनी स्वचलित तिपहिया कुर्सी पर बैठ कर वह घूमें। एक घंटा बीत गया। फिरदौस उनसे विदा लेने उठ खड़े हुए। वह हाकिंग को न तो चूम सकते थे, न ही अपना दुख व्यक्त कर सकते थे। पर उन्हें यह विश्वास हो गया था कि वह पक्षाघातग्रस्त व्यक्ति वीरता का प्रतीक है।
The story of “This is Jody’s Fawn” deals with the emotion of a little child named Jody who has a sensitive mind that could not bear the loss of a Doe that got killed by saving his father from the bite of a rattlesnake.
Jody got emotionally connected with the fawn and he searched for it and found it ultimately. The fawn was brought home by Jody and it was cared for by him all his life. The story is the portrayal of the beautiful soul of a child and how unconditional love is.
This is Jody’s Fawn Summary in English
This is Jody’s Fawn is written by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. It is about a human’s feeling towards an animal whose mother has been killed by his father.
Jody’s father is bitten by a rattlesnake. He quickly kills a doe and uses its heart and liver to draw out the poison. Jody wonders what will happen to the little fawn left without its mother.
Jody could not forget the incident. He loved the little fawn. His father, Penny lay in bed. Jody enquired after his health. Penny said he had escaped death narrowly. He felt proud of his son for his help. He owed his life to the she deer or the doe whom he had killed to press out the snake poison in his body.
Jody was worried about the little fawn. He wanted to find the fawn and bring it home. Penny allowed the boy to save the little animal. It would be ungrateful to leave the fawn to starve. Doc Wilson also supported Jody.
Jody decided to go to the forest with Mill-wheel in search of the fawn. He hoped to be back home for dinner. The two rode out. Jody had a vague idea of the place where his father had been bitten by the snake. The bushes there were thick. So he proposed to go on foot. The twigs under his feet creaked and broke the silence.
Suddenly he saw a large vulture like bird flying into the air. Soon he found that many birds were feeding on the dead body of the doe. He threw his stick at them to keep them away. The incident had occurred only 24 hours ago. He went round but did not find the fawn. Even the footprints on the grass had been washed away in the rain.
Just then he was startled to see the fawn lifting its face. It was shaking. Jody walked upto it and put his arms around its body. Its skin was soft and clean. It did not kick, nor bleat. He saved its face from the thorny plants.
He picked it up and walked as fast as he could until he came to the intersection with the road home. When tired, he set it down and rested for a while. He again carried it on his arms to some distance.
Finally, he reached home and took the fawn into his father’s room. Penny was glad to see it. Jody gave it milk to drink. He dipped his fingers into the milk and let it suck. Then it drank off the last drop of milk. Jody was happy now.
This is Jody’s Fawn Summary in Hindi
इस कहानी में जोडी के पिता को एक साँप डस लेता है। वह तुरन्त एक हिरनी को मारकर उसके दिल और यकृत द्वारा जहर बाहर निकाल देता है। जोडी परेशान हो जाता है कि हिरनी के बच्चे का माँ के बिना क्या हाल होगा।
जोडी उस घटना को भुला नहीं सका। उसे छोटे से छौने से स्नेह हो गया था। उसके पिता पेनी बिस्तर पर पड़े थे। जोडी ने उनके स्वास्थ्य के बारे में पूछा। पेनी बोले मैं तो आज मौत से बाल-बाल बचा। मुझे तुम्हारी मदद पर गर्व है। मेरे प्राण तो बचाये उस हिरनी ने जिसे मैंने अपने शरीर से विष निकालने के लिए मार दिया था।
जोडी उस छौने के लिये परेशान था। वह चाहता था कि बच्चे को खोज कर घर ले आये। पेनी ने जोडी को छौने के भूख से मरने से बचाने की अनुमति दे दी। उसे भूख से मरने देने का अर्थ था कृतघ्नता। डॉक विलसन ने भी जोडी के प्रस्ताव का समर्थन किया।
जोडी ने मिल-व्हील के साथ छौने की खोज में जाने का निर्णय लिया। उसे आशा थी कि वह भोजन के समय तक घर लौट आयेगा। दोनो घोड़े पर सवार होकर चल दिये। जोडी को पूरी तरह से याद था कि उसके पिता को साँप ने कहाँ काटा था। वहाँ झाड़ियाँ घनी थीं। इसलिये उसने कहा कि वह पैदल ही झाड़ी में छौने को खोज लेगा। उसके पैरों की नीचे पडी टहनियाँ ही वहाँ की शांति को भंग कर रही थीं।
अचानक उसने देखा कि एक बड़े आकार का गिद्ध जैसा पक्षी हवा में उड़ चला। वास्तव में वहाँ पर अनेक पक्षी हिरनी के मृत शरीर को खा रहे थे। उन्हें दूर हटाने के लिए उसने अपनी छड़ी फेंकी। यह घटना 24 घंटे पूर्व घटी थी। जोडी ने खुले स्थान पर चक्कर काटे पर छौना नहीं मिला। यहाँ तक कि घास पर पैरों के निशान भी वर्षा में मिट गये थे।
तभी जोडी छौने को देखकर चौंक गया। छौने ने अपना सिर उठाया। वह काँप रहा था। जोडी उसके निकट गया तथा उसके शरीर को बांहों में घेर लिया। उसकी त्वचा मुलायम तथा साफ सुथरी थी। उसने न तो हाथ पाँव चलाये न ही चीख पुकार की जोडी उसके चेहरे को कँटीले पौधों से बचाता उठा ले चला। थक जाने पर उसने उसे नीचे रख दिया तथा कुछ क्षणों तक विश्राम किया।
जोडी उसे पुनः अपने हाथों में उठाकर कुछ दूर चला। अंतत: वह घर पहुँच गया। वह सबसे पहले पापा के कमरे में छौने को ले गया। पेनी उस बच्चे को देखकर खुश हो गये। जोडी ने उसे दूध पिलाया। उसने अपनी अंगुली दूध में भिगोयी तथा छौने को चूसने दिया। इस प्रकार से छौना दूध की अंतिम बूंद तक पीता रहा। जोडी अब बहुत खुश था।
The Summit Within’ is an account of encounters of Major H.P.S. Ahluwalia, an individual from the primary effective Indian endeavor to Mount Everest. Ahluwalia was loaded with quietude when he remained on the summit of Everest. He expressed gratitude toward God for his physical achievement.
It was the most noteworthy objective for him. While getting down from the Summit he wondered why he climbed Everest and what made him do as such. The individuals climb mountains since they present incredible troubles.
A move to a summit implies the showing of climber’s continuance, Persistence, and self-control. Since youth, the storyteller has been pulled in by mountains. For him, mountains are nature at its best. They have a difficult wonder and glory. Ascending a mountain is a profoundly unsafe activity and requires others’ assistance moreover. The kindred climbers end up being a wellspring of motivation.
One can get more full information on oneself simply by ascending ones close to home and inner mountain top. Both the trips show one much the world and about oneself. The inner summits are a lot higher than Everest. The climber gets the motivation to confront life’s trials sincerely.
The Summit Within Summary in English
On reaching the summit. Major Ahluwalia felt elated. The first thing came that into his mind was ‘humility’. The vast surrounding and view from the top made him realize his victory.
He thanked God for his successful journey. He also realized that he had accomplished climbing the highest peak and thus left with no other higher peak further.
He talked about the changes one could have in the feeling of joy and thankfulness. Major was occupied with the thought although it was thing of the past. When Major was contemplating about reasons for climbing mountains the reasons popped out of his reasons.
One such reason is that he felt elated in ‘overcoming obstacles’. A climber should bear the hardships faced during climbing is endurance, persistence, and willpower.
Mountains fascinated Major since his childhood. It is one of the finest creations of the nature. He also believed that ‘mountains are a means of communion with God’. He couldn’t bear the separation from mountains.
He imparted the information regarding the summit that one feels victorious and happy once he successfully accomplishes the hardships of the journey. The exhaustive efforts turn into ‘exhilaration’ once the majestic Everest’s peak is climbed.
He called the experience as ‘mystic’ because of its beauty, aloofness, might, ruggedness and difficulties. He felt that it is difficult to find a reason of the summit for he had a natural desire.
He experienced that Everest climbing makes one conscious of one’s ‘smallness in this large universe’. One feels accomplishment and satisfaction of physical, emotional and spiritual desires.
A typical climb shares ropes, becomes firmer with each move of the preceding climbers. He learns from previous climbers, who share their experience to make it easier for other to follow and helps win over the obstacles with ease and preparations.
Sometimes a climber might feel divested because of the hardships, however, he recollects himself and push his limits, and also inspire the other fellows too.
The endeavors of a climber get paid off once he reaches the top. The serene beauty fascinates him. He explained the ‘surrounding peaks look like a jeweled necklace around the neck of your summit’.
Looking at valleys could be an ennobling, enriching experience. One gets fascinated by the God’s creation by submitting in his obedience. Various climbers left a relic, a cross orpecturo etc. not as a symbol of ‘conquest but of reverence’.
Major Ahluwalia experienced inside out* He wanted everyone ‘to climb his own mountain peak to win over himself. Then he would turn into a fearless, confident and resolute man. He felt that one’s inner self is an internal summit that needed to climb to conquer oneself.
The Summit Within Summary in Hindi
मेजर अहलूवालिया उस पहले दल के सदस्य थे जिसने पहली बार माउन्ट एवरेस्ट पर 1965 में सफल अभियान किया था। इस पाठ में वह हमें अपनी भावनाओं के बारे में बताते हैं जो विश्व के सर्वोच्च शिखर पर खड़े होकर उन्होंने महसूस की थीं।
उनके मन में सबसे पहले तो विनम्रता का भाव आया। उन्होंने परमात्मा को धन्यवाद दिया क्योंकि एवरेस्ट पर्वत पर विजय अभियान सफल रहा है। वह खुश और उदास दोनों ही थे। उन्हें उदासी इस बात की थी कि वह जिस शिखर पर पहुंच गए हैं उसके पश्चात अब कोई दूसरा पर्वत शिखर चुनौती देने वाला नहीं बचा।
एवरेस्ट पर्वत की विजय एक गहरी खुशी देती है जो आजीवन बनी रहती है। यह अनुभव मनुष्य को पूरी तरह से बदल देता है। इस ऊँचे पर्वत पर विजय प्राप्त कर लेखक को महसूस हुआ कि अपने मन पर विजय प्राप्त करना कम कठिन नहीं है।
जब वह शिखर पर से नीचे उतर रहे थे उन्होंने स्वयं से पूछा कि उन्होंने पर्वतारोहण का काम क्यों चुना। उनकी उपलब्धि तो अब अतीत की बात हो गई है। समय बीतने के साथ यह खुशी कम होती जायेगी। उन्होंने स्वयं से प्रश्न किया कि लोग ऊँचे पर्वत पर चढ़ाई क्यों करते हैं। सरलतम उत्तर तो यह है कि पर्वत की चोटी पर पहुँचना बहुत कठिन काम है और मनुष्य कठिनाइयों पर विजय पाकर स्वयं को महान समझने लगता है। पर्वतारोहण मनुष्य की शारीरिक क्षमता एवं इच्छा शक्ति की परीक्षा लेता है।
लेखक इस निजी प्रश्न का उत्तर देता है। पर्वतों से उसे बचपन से आकर्षण रहा है। पर्वतों से दूर चले जाने पर उसे पर्वतों की याद आती थी। वह उनकी सुन्दरता तथा महानता को एक चुनौती के रुप में देखता था। सबसे बड़ी बात तो यह है कि पर्वतारोही स्वयं को परमात्मा के निकट महसूस करने लगता है।
पर प्रश्न उठता है कि सभी पर्वतों में से एवरेस्ट ही क्यों? उसने उसे इसलिए चुना क्योंकि वह सभी पर्वतों से अधिक ऊँचा तथा सर्वाधिक चुनौतीपूर्ण काम था। लेखक का हिमालय पर चढ़ना तो जैसे चट्टानों और हिम से संघर्ष करना था। पर जब वह शिखर पर खड़ा था, उसे यह सोचकर खुशी हुई कि उसने महान विजय प्राप्त करके कोई महान कार्य संपन्न कर लिया। एवरेस्ट ने ही उसे पुकार कर बुलाया था।
पर्वतारोहण के पीछे क्या कारण होता है यह बताना कठिन है। यह प्रश्न तो वैसा ही है कि व्यक्ति साँस क्यों लेता है अथवा आप कोई नेक काम क्यों करते हैं। सफलता के पश्चात एक संतोष मिलता है। यह मनुष्य के साहसिक काम करने के प्रेम को दर्शाता है। यह अनुभव केवल शारीरिक नहीं है वरन् आध्यात्मिक भी है। आप ऊपर पहुँचने के लिये पूरा प्रयास करते हैं। साँस लेना भारी हो जाता है। वैसे क्षण भी आते हैं जब पर्वतारोही को लगता है कि वापस लौट जायें। पर कोई चीज है जो आपको प्रयास छोड़ देने से रोक देती है।
शिखर पर पहुँचकर आप स्वंय को बताते हैं कि प्रयास बहुत पुरस्कार देने वाला रहा। नीचे आप विशाल घाटियाँ देखते हैं। आप परमात्मा के सामने पूजा के लिए शीश झुका देते हैं।
लेखक एवरेस्ट शिखर पर गुरुनानक का चित्र छोड़ आया। एक सदस्य (रावत) ने देवी दुर्गा का चित्र छोड़ा और फूदोर्जी ने भगवान बुद्ध का एक अवशेष वहां रख दिया। एडमण्ड हिलेरी ने बर्फ में दबी चट्टान के नीचे क्रॉस रख दिया। ये सब परमात्मा के प्रति आदरभाव के प्रतीक हैं।
एक और भी शिखर है जिस पर हमें विजय पानी है। वह शिखर हमारे ही अन्दर है, हमारा दिमाग। सबसे दुष्कर कार्य है आत्मज्ञान। यह काम व्यक्ति को अकेले और स्वयं करना होता है। एवरेस्ट अनुभव ने लेखक को जीवन का निर्भीकता से सामना करने की प्रेरणा दी।
Bepin Choudhury’s Lapse of memory is a humorous story about a man, Bepin Choudhury. He is the protagonist of the story who thinks he is sick. He meets people who tell him about an incident which he does not remember at all. This confuses Bepin a lot because he feels only one memory is missing. He remembers everything well but not what the other gentlemen convince him of. Thus, it is convincing enough for him that he has gotten a lapse of memory. The whole story follows all the events and his journey to find out the truth. However, we come to know at the end that it was all made up. His old friend played a practical joke on him out of spite. Bepin did not help his friend in need so his friend did all this. It was all a set up all along, Bepin was always fine.
The Bepin Choudhury’s Lapse of Memory Summary in English
Bepin Choudhury’s Lapse of Memory is full of suspense. In this story, Bepin Choudhury believes that he has never been to Ranchi but others say that he had been there. It is a well knit story written by Satyajit Ray.
Every Monday, Bepin Choudhury used to come to the New Market to buy books. His favourite items were crime stories, ghost stories and thrillers. He lived alone. He had not many friends. One day Bepin Babu found in the market that someone was observing him. It was a round faced man. The man saw him and smiled. But Bepin Babu could not recognise him. He reminded Bepin Babu that once he had been to Ranchi in 1958. The man had arranged a car for him to take him to the Hudroo Falls. His name was Parimal Ghose.
But Bepin’s memory played a trick on him. He was sure that he had never been to Ranchi. Parimal was surprised. He gave several instances in his support. Bepin, he said, had fallen down in Hudroo and got a cut on his knee. He had brought him iodine. He had fixed up a car for him to get to Netarhat.
There was one Dinesh Mukerji also in whose bungalow Bepin Babu had stayed. Bepin always carried a book bag at his sight seeing trips. But nothing could revise Bepin’s memory. He said that he was in Kanpur in 1958. Parimal told that Bepin had no children and his wife had died 10 years ago. The same year his brother died in Ranchi mental hospital. But Bepin could not recollect any such event.
Bepin believed that he had an excellent memory. He was working daily in his office and doing a responsible job. He wondered how Parimal knew all intimate details about his wife’s death, and his brother’s insanity. But at the same time, he was sure that he was not in Ranchi but at his friend Haridas Bagchi’s house in Kanpur during the Pujas. He could write to Haridas to confirm his visit, but Haridas had already left for Japan. He found an inch-long cut mark on his knee, but he couldn’t recall when and where he had got the cut.
Then Bepin decided to go to Dinesh Mukerji’s house to confirm Parimal’s claim. But he dropped the idea lest Dinesh should think he had gone mad. He soon forgot all about Parmial and went to sleep.
Next day Bepin rang up Dinesh who confirmed him that he was there in Ranchi. He felt that he had lost his memory. After Bepin Babu look lunch, Chuni Babu came to see him. He was his school-mate. He wondered how he had forgotten his visit to Ranchi. He hadn’t suffered any injury in the head.
Chuni Babu had been to his school and was requesting him for a job. When Chuni Babu asked him what his last job was, Bepin told correctly that his (Chuni’s) last job was in a travel agency. Chuni recalled that he himself had fixed up Bepin’s railway booking in Ranchi and gone to station to see him off. He left him without requesting for a job.
Now Bepin Babu became serious about this matter. He consulted a young physician Paresh Chanda. Paresh suggested a plan. Bepin should go to Ranchi once again and might get back his lost memory. Bepin left for Ranchi the same evening.
At Ranchi Bepin Babu realised that he had never been there before. He didn’t recognise any building or bazaar. He left for Hundroo falls. There two Gujrati gentlemen found Bepin lying unconscious beside a rock. Bepin Babu returned to Calcutta. He received a letter, urgent and confidential. The letter was from Chuni lal. He said he was down on luck. But he had written a novel which might bring him fortune.
Bepin’s memory suddenly came back. He told Dr Chanda that he had pain in the hip from a fall in Ranchi. He asked the doctor to prescribe some painkiller.
The Bepin Choudhury’s Lapse of Memory Summary in Hindi
हर सोमवार बिपिन चौधरी न्यू मार्किट जाकर पुस्तकें खरीदा करते थे। उनके प्रिय विषय थे अपराध कहानियाँ, भूतों की कहानियाँ और रोमांचक कहानियाँ। वह अकेले थे। उनका कोई मित्र न था। उस दिन बिपिन बाबू को मार्किट में लगा कि उस पर कोई नजर रख रहा था। वह गोल चेहरे वाला व्यक्ति था। उन्हें देखकर वह व्यक्ति मुस्करा दिया। पर बिपिन बाबू उसे पहचान नहीं सके। उसने बिपिन बाबू को याद दिलाया कि 1958 में वे एक बार राँची गये थे। उसने ही राँची में हुंडरु जल प्रपात जाने के लिये कार का प्रबन्ध किया था। उसका नाम था परिमल घोष।
पर बिपिन बाबू की याददाश्त कमजोर पड़ रही था। उन्हें विश्वास था कि वह कभी भी राँची नहीं गये थे। परिमल आश्चर्यचकित हो गया। उसने अपने कथन की पुष्टि में अनेक उदाहरण दिये। उसने बताया कि बिपिन बाबू हुंडरु में गिर गये थे तथा उनके घुटने में चोट लग गई थी। उन्होंने ही उनके लिये आयोडीन लाया था। उसने उनके नेतरहाट जाने के लिये कार बुक की थी।
एक व्यक्ति दिनेश मुखर्जी के बंगले में वे ठहरे थे। वे हमेशा घूमने के दौरान पुस्तकों का थैला लिये रहते थे। पर इतनी सारी रचनाएँ भी बिपिन की याददाश्त वापिस नहीं ला सकी। वह बोले 1958 में तो वे कानपुर में थे। परिमल ने आगे बताय – च्चा नहीं था और उनकी पत्नी का देहान्त 10 वर्ष पूर्व हो चुका था। उसी साल उनके भाई की मौत भी मानसिक चिकित्सालय राँची में चुकी थी। पर विपिन को ऐसी कोई भी घटना याद नहीं आई।
बिपिन को विश्वास था कि उनकी याददाश्त बहुत अच्छी है। वह एक कार्यालय में एक दायित्त्वपूर्ण पद पर कार्यरत थे। उन्हें हैरानी थी कि परिमल को उनके बारे में इतनी नजदीकी बातें किस प्रकार पता हैं- उनकी पत्नी की मृत्यु तथा उनके भाई का पागलपन की अवस्था में मृत्यु। पर उन्हें पूरा विश्वास था कि वह 1958 में राँची में नहीं बल्कि कानपुर में हरीदास बागची के घर पर पूजा के दौरान
ठहरे थे। उन्होंने सोचा कि हरीदास को पत्र लिखकर सच्चाई का पता लगाए पर हरिदास तो कुछ सप्ताह पूर्व जापान जा चुके थे। उन्होंने अपने घुटने में एक इंच लम्बा घाव का निशान देखा पर उन्हें याद नहीं आया कि किस प्रकार से और कहाँ उन्हें वह चोट लगी थी।
तत्पश्चात बिपिन बाबू ने सोचा कि दिनेश मुखर्जी के घर जाकर पूछताछ करे। पर उन्होंने यह विचार टाल दिया क्योंकि दिनेश सोच लेंगे कि वह पागल हो गया है। कुछ समय पश्चात वह परिमल को भूल कर सो गये। अगले दिन बिपिन बाबू ने दिनेश को फोन किया। उन्हें राँची वाली बात की पुष्टि हो गई। उन्हें लगा कि उनका सिर चकरा रहा है।
बिपिन बाबू ने जैसे ही भोजन सम्पन्न किया चुन्नीबावू उनसे मिलने आये। वह उनके स्कूल के साथी थे। उन्हें आश्र्चय किस प्रकार से वह राँची की बात भूल गये। उन्हें तो सिर पर कोई चोट भी नहीं लगी थी।
चुन्नी बाबू उनके स्कूल में गए थे और उनसे नौकरी माँगी थी। उन्होंने विपिन बाबू की याददाश्त जाँचने के लिए जब उनसे पूछा कि उनकी (चुन्नी बावू का) पिछली नौकरी क्या थी तो विपिन ने सही-सही बताया कि चुन्नी बाबू की पिछली नौकरी ट्रैवल एजेंसी में थी। चुन्नी ने याद दिलाया कि उसने ही उनका राँची में रेल टिकट का इंतजाम किया था और स्टेशन पर उसे अलविदा कहने भी गया था। वह बिना नौकरी की बात किये चल दिया।
बिपिन बाबू अब काफी परेशान हो गए। उन्होंने फिर एक युवा डाक्टर परेश चंद से सलाह की। परेश ने एक योजना बताई। वे एक बार फिर राँची जाऐं तो शायद वहाँ उनकी खोई याददाश्त वापिस आ जाये। बिपिन उसी शाम राँची रवाना हो गये।
राँची में बिपिन ने पाया कि वह इस शहर में पहले कभी नहीं आये थे। वहाँ का कोई भवन या बाजार उन्हें पूर्व परिचित नहीं लगा।
वह हुंडरु फाल्स गये। वहाँ दो गुजराती सज्जनों ने बिपिन को एक पत्थर के किनारे बेहोश पड़े पाया। विपिन कलकत्ता लौट आये। उन्हें एक पत्र मिला जो अतिआवश्यक तथा गोपनीय था। यह पत्र चुन्नी लाल का था। उसने लिखा था कि उसकी आर्थिक स्थिति खराब रही थी। पर अब उसका उपन्यास पूरा हो चुका है और शायद उसे इससे पैसा मिल जाये।
बिपिन की याददाश्त अचानक वापिस आ गयी। उन्होंने डा० चंदा को अपने कुल्हे में दर्द के बारे में बताया जो राँची में गिर जाने के कारण पैदा हुआ था। उन्होंने डाक्टर से कहा कि वे उनके लिए कोई दर्द कम करने वाली गोली लिख दे।
Glimpses of the Past is an insight into India’s history before Independence. It gives readers an understanding into what led to India’s freedom struggle.
When the British first set foot on the Indian soil, they had no plans of invading their country. All they wanted to do was to establish trade for their livelihood. However, they soon noticed loopholes in the administration by Indians and used this to their advantage. They took control over the country and enforced various laws that affected the livelihood of Indians in their own motherland.
But, things took a different turn when India witnessed the rise of various people like Raja Ram Mohan Roy. Inspired by them, Indians started their revolt against the British and marked the herald of the Great Revolt of 1857. All this and more noteworthy episodes of India’s struggle for freedom are highlighted in Glimpses of the Past.
The Glimpses of the Past Summary in English
The Glimpse of the Past is in the form of conversation dealing with India’s struggle for Independence. It is written by S. D. Sawant. The chapter describes the events and the circumstances that took place in India during the year 1757 to 1857. It starts with the time when the East India Company was very strong in India.
The Indian princes and states were busy fighting with each other. They often sought British help and thus British took advantage of this to gain power and establish their rule in India. The social conditions were also not in good shape. Social evils such as child marriages, untouchability, sati pratha, etc. were prevalent in society. Also, the farmers had to pay heavy taxes.
Raja Ram Mohan Roy worked a lot towards reforming society. British also passed many resolutions to ruin India and Indian industries. Lord Macaulay also brought a bill according to which the medium of education could only be English.
The main aim of the British was to prepare clerks who can assist them in the administration. By 1856, India had fully become a British colony. However, after the revolt of 1857, the British rule started to shake. The Indians revolted and struggled for freedom until 1947, i.e. till they achieved it.
The chapter starts with the events that were taking place in the year 1757. At this time, the British were in a strong position in India. They had superior arms and ammunitions and also financial resources. On the other hand, the Indian states and the princes were short-sighted and were busy fighting with each other. They lacked unity. They also often sought British help and East India Company took full advantage of this.
The British followed the policy of ‘Divide and Rule’ and also subdued the Princes. Some people favoured the British while some did not. However, Tipu Sultan of Mysore fought with the British. But unfortunately, he died in the year 1799 fighting the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War.
The chapter further describes the social fabric from 1765 to 1836. Evil social practices such as untouchability, child marriages, Sati pratha, etc. were preached by the religious leaders. The British disdained the Indians and, in the process, Indians lost their self-respect also. The British imposed heavy taxes on the farmers. They also cut the thumbs of the expert artisans. However, the imports from England were tax-free. Thus, the main motive of the British was the maximisation of profit and wealth at any cost.
From 1772 to 1833, Raja Ram Mohan Roy started his efforts to reform Indian society. He established Brahmo Samaj for this purpose. He propagated the idea that the main teachings and principals of all religions are the same. Also, he started newspapers in India. He was against evil practices such as Sati pratha, polygamy, child marriages, and the caste system. He played a major role in the abolishment of Sati pratha.
In 1818, the British passed The Third Regulation Act. According to it, an Indian could be sent to jail even without any trial in the court. This was a phase of oppression of the Indians. By 1829, the value of British exports was worth seven crore rupees. While the Indian industries were ruining, the British were prospering.
It seems this was not enough so the British now aimed at preparing clerks for running the administration. Thus, in 1835, Lord Macaulay recommended that the medium of education should be English. This education policy also generated some intellectuals who understood the evils of British Raj and educated the fellow Indians.
By 1856, India had become a fully controlled British Colony. The suppression was at its peak and thus it led to revolts. In 1855, the Santhals rebelled and killed the British as well as their servants. In 1857, the first Sepoy Mutiny started with the execution of Mangal Pandey.
The sepoys marched towards Delhi shouting slogans in favour of Bahadur Shah Zafar. The landlords also joined this movement. People circulated chapattis with the message that their native ruler needs their help. Similarly, a lotus flower was distributed among the Indian soldiers.
Many rulers like Hazrat Mahal of Lucknow, Maulvi Ahmadullah of Faizabad, Tatya Tope, and Peshwa Nana Saheb of the Maratha empire and Kunwar Singh of Bihar also joined the revolt. This was the beginning of the Indian freedom struggle.
The Glimpses of the Past Summary in Hindi
यह एक चित्रकथा है। यह स्वतन्त्रता संग्राम की गाथा को चित्रों द्वारा दर्शाता है। इसमें यह वर्णन किया गया है कि 1857 के पहले स्वतन्त्रता संग्राम किन कारणों से शुरु हुआ था। दिल्ली के एक समारोह में लता मंगेस्कर ने एक देशभक्ति का गीत, ऐ मेरे वतन के लोगों गाया था। उसने भारत के लोगों को आंसू भरी आंखों से भारतीय स्वतंत्रता सेनानियों के प्राणों की आहुतियों को याद करने का आग्रह किया।
अंग्रेजी ईस्ट इण्डिया कम्पनी भारत में व्यापार के सिलसिले से आई। पर अपने उत्तम एवं कूटनीतिक कौशल द्वारा उसने 18वीं शताब्दी में अपना प्रभुत्व फैला लिया। भारतीय राजा आपस में विभाजित तथा संकीर्ण दृष्टिकोण वाले थे। लोगों को राज्यों के बीच निरन्तर होने वाली लड़ाइयों के कारण शांति नहीं मिल पा रही थी। उन्होंने अंग्रेज सौदागरों की मदद माँगी ताकि एक दूसरे को नीचा दिखा सकें। आपसी प्रतिद्वन्द्विता ने कम्पनी का रास्ता साफ कर दिया। एक-एक करके उसने भारतीय नवाबों पर अपना अधिकार जमा लिया।
दूरदृष्टि वाला एक वीर मैसूर का शासक टीपू सुल्तान अंग्रेजों से युद्ध करते हुए शहीद हो गया। भारतीयों ने अब अंग्रेज कम्पनी की विजय यात्रा को स्वीकार कर लिया। कुछेक ने तो परमात्मा तथा कम्पनी दोनों का आभार व्यक्त किया कि उन्होंने ठगों की लूटपाट रोककर देश में शांति स्थापित की। वे कहने लगे की भारत कि किस्मत अंग्रेजों के साथ जुड़ी है। पर कुछ अन्य व्यक्ति दुखी हो गये। उन्होंने शिकायत की कि गोरे लोग या तो राजाओं की हत्या कर रहे हैं अथवा उनसे उनकी राजसत्ता छीन रहे हैं। भारतीय गोरों के दास बनते गये।
कुछ धार्मिक नेताओं ने सामाजिक बुराइयों जैसे छुआछूत तथा बाल विवाह का समर्थन किया। उन्होंने समुद्री यात्रा करके देश से बाहर जाने को मना कर दिया। कुछेक बोले कि सभी कष्टों की जड़ महिलायें हैं। सच यह था कि भारतीय आत्मसम्मान खो चुके थे। अंग्रेज उन पर अविश्वास करते थे तथा उनसे घृणा करते थे।
अंग्रेज मूलरुप से सौदागर थे। उनका लक्ष्य था तेजी से धन कमाना। उन्होंने किसानों पर भारी कर लगा दिए तथा कर न देने पर उन्हें जेल भेज देते थे। उन्होंने भारतीय कुटीर उद्योगों को खत्म कर दिया ताकि वे इंग्लैण्ड में निर्मित सामान भारत को निर्यात करते रहें। उन्होंने इंग्लैण्ड से आयात किये सभी प्रकार की चीजों को कर मुक्त कर दिया। इस प्रकार उन्होंने भारतीय कारीगरों एवं व्यापार को नष्ट कर दिया।
राजा राम मोहन राय बंगाल के एक विद्वान एवं समाज सुधारक थे। उन्होंने समझ लिया कि देश में क्या कमी है। उन्होंने लोगें से कहा कि अपनी पुरानी संस्कृति पर गर्व करो तथा समाज को मूर्खतापूर्ण अंधविश्वासों से छुटकारा दिलाओ। उन्होंने बताया कि सभी धर्म एक ही शिक्षा देते हैं। उन्होने विज्ञान एवं आधुनिक ज्ञान के महत्त्व को पहचाना। उन्होंने अखबार प्रकाशन शुरु किया पर अंग्रेजों ने 1823 में उन्हें बंद कर दिया। वह समुद्र पार करके इंग्लैण्ड गये, यह पता लगाने कि किस कारण अंग्रेज इनसे बलशाली हो गये। उन्होनें फिर मध्यमार्ग अपनाया। उन्होने अंग्रेजों को शासक के रुप में स्वीकार कर लिया। पर उन्हें यह बताया कि उन्हें याद रखना चाहिए कि एक शासक का अपनी प्रजा के प्रति क्या उत्तरदायित्व होता है।
1765 से 1835 तक अंग्रेज भारतीयों पर अत्याचार करते रहे। 1818 में उन्होंने एक प्रस्ताव पारित किया जिसके अनुसार वे किसी भी भारतीय को बिना मुकदमे के जेल भेज सकते थे। भारत में अंग्रेज अफसरों को ज्यादा वेतन मिलता था तथा वे अपने निजी व्यवसाय द्वारा भी धन कमाते थे। अंग्रेज समृद्ध होते गये पर भारतीय उद्योग बन्द होने लगे। गवर्नर जनरल बेन्टिक ने इंग्लैण्ड लिखकर भेजा कि भारतीय कपड़ा उद्योग में लगे कारीगर भूख से मर रहे हैं।
भारतीयों को फारसी तथा संस्कृत पढायी जाती थी। 1835 में मैकाले नामक व्यक्ति ने अंग्रेजी शिक्षा की सिफारिश की। अंग्रेजी शिक्षा ऐसे क्लर्क बनाने लगी जिन्हें छोटी-छोटी नौकरियाँ मिल जाती थीं। पर अंग्रेजी शिक्षा ने बुद्धिजीवियों को भी पैदा किया जिन्होंने कहा कि भारतीयों को अंग्रेजी पढ़ना चाहिये, जिससे वे अपने आर्थिक स्थिति तथा शिकायतों को ब्रिटिश संसद में भेज सकें।
1856 तक अंग्रेजों ने पूरे भारत को अपने अधीन कर लिया था। उन्हें भारतीयों की कुशलता की तो चिन्ता थी ही नहीं। भारतीय राजा और शासक उनके हाथ की कठपुतली बन गये थे। लोगों से उनके काम, धाम और उनकी भूमि-सब कुछ छिन गई थी। उन्हें लगा कि अंग्रेजों को भारत से खदेड़ना जरुरी है। संथालियों ने 1855 में विद्रोह कर दिया और बहुत से यूरोपियन लोगों की हत्या कर दी। अंग्रेजी सेना में जो भारतीय सैनिक थे, उनमें भी असंतोष पनप रहा था क्योंकि उनको वेतन कम मिलता था। उन्हें देश के बाहर भेज दिया जाता था। सिपाही मंगल पाण्डे ने गोरे अफसर पर हमला कर दिया जिससे उसे फाँसी पर लटका दिया गया।
हजारों अन्य सिपाहियों को भी जंजीर से बाँध दिया गया। कुछ ब्राह्मण सैनिकों को पता चल गया कि उनकी गोलियों में गायों तथा सुअरों की चर्बी लगी है। विद्रोह के लिये तैयार रहने हेतु हर गांव में संदेश भेज दिया गया। मेरठ में हिंसात्मक कार्यवाई शुरु हो गई। सिपाही दिल्ली की ओर कूच कर गये तथा सम्राट बहादुर शाह को अपना नेता मान लिया।
विद्रोह फैलता गया। अनेक जमींदार भी इसमें शामिल हो गये। लखनऊ की बेगम हजरत महल, अजीमुल्ला खान, पेशवा नाना साहव, बिहार के कुँअर सिंह-सब ने पूरे उत्तरी भारत में अंग्रेजों से डटकर लड़ाई की। बरेली, कानपुर तथा इलाहाबाद में भी लोग भड़क गये। इस प्रकार से भारत का पहला स्वतंत्रता संग्राम शुरु हो गया।
Tsunami’ refers to a very large and powerful wave in the sea. It is caused by some earthquake under the sea. One such calamity hit several countries on December 26, 2004. The worst affected parts were coastal parts of India, the Andaman and Nicobar islands and Thailand. Some 1,50,000 people lost their lives. But animals suffered very few casualties. Perhaps they had sensed the coming earthquake and they ran to safer high places.
This lesson recounts a few stories of bravery and intelligence when the Tsunami hit the Andamans. The first story is about ignesious, the manager of a cooperative society in Katchall. He was woken up by his wife at 6 am. The family rushed out of the house. When the earth stopped shaking, the sea started rising. The waves washed away his two children and in-laws. But his three other children were saved because they were with him.
The Tsunami Summary in English
Andaman and Nicobar Islands
The Tsunami chapter of Class 8 comprises of three parts. This chapter deals with the inspiring incidents that took place when the Tsunami hit the different parts of the world. The first part includes stories from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The first story is of Igneous. He was the manager of a co-operative society in Katchall. At around 6 a.m., his wife woke him up sensing an earthquake. He put the television set on the floor in order to save it while the family rushed out of the house. When the earth stopped shaking, they could see the sea rising. The tsunami swept his wife, two children, father-in-law, and brother-in-law.
The second story is about a policeman, Sanjeev. Sanjeev was able to save himself, his wife, and his daughter. But, after hearing the cries of the guest house cook John’s wife, he jumped into the water in order to save her. He could not save her as well as himself and both got drowned.
The third story is about a 13 years old girl, Meghna. The tsunami swept her along with her parents and seventy-seven other people. But fortunately, she held on to a wooden door. After floating for two days, a wave brought her back to the shore and saved her. The last story is about Almas, a ten years old girl. Her father saw the water receding after the tremors and understood that it will come back with immense force. He thus woke everybody so that they can go to a safe place. In all this chaos, her grandfather fell down and her father went to help him. A big wave swept them away during this. Her mother and aunts swept away along with the tree that they were holding on to. While Almas climbed on a floating wooden log and fainted. She was taken to the hospital in Kamorta.
Thailand
The second part of the chapter consists of a story from Thailand. This is the story of an intelligent girl, Tilly. It was 26th December and Tilly along with her family were on the beach. Tilly and her family were originally from England and had come to Thailand to celebrate Christmas. Tilly and her mother saw the sea rise slowly, start to foams, and making whirlpools. Her mother was not worried by these signs but it occurred to Tilly that these were the signs of Tsunami. She informed about this to her family and they along with other people on the beach returned to the hotel. Luckily, the hotel building withstood the force of Tsunami and they all were saved.
The third part of the chapter speaks about the sixth sense of the animals. Around 1,50,000 people lost their lives but only a few animals died. For instance, in the Yala National Park situated in Sri Lanka, 60 visitors died while only two animals died. Also, in the same park people noticed that three elephants ran away from the beach an hour prior to the struck of Tsunami. Another incident is also from Galle in Sri Lanka. Here, the two dogs refused to go to the beach for the walk. Their master also thus could not go and was saved.
The Tsunami Summary in Hindi
Andaman and Nicobar Islands
सुनामी समुद्र में उठने वाली बहुत विशाल, शक्तिशाली लहर को कहते हैं। यह समुद्र के अन्दर आने वाले भूचाल के कारण उठती है। ऐसी एक विपदा 26 दिसम्बर 2004 में कई देशों पर आई थी। सर्वाधिक कहर वाले स्थान थे भारत के कुछ समुद्री तटीय भाग, अंडमाननिकोबार द्वीप समूह तथा थाइलैण्ड लगभग डेढ़ लाख लोगों की जानें गई। पर पशुओं के मरने की संख्या बहुत कम रही। शायद वे आने वाले भूचाल को पहले से महसूस कर लेते हैं और सुरक्षित ऊँचे स्थानों पर चले जाते हैं।
यह पाठ ऐसी ही सुनामी प्रभावित अंडमान में बहादुरी एवं बुद्धिमत्ता दर्शाती कहानियों का विवरण देता है। पहली कहानी है इग्निसियस की जो कैचल में एक सहकारी संस्था का मैनेजर था। 6 बजे प्रात: उसकी पत्नी ने उसे जगाया। परिवार घर से बाहर भाग निकला। जब धरती का हिलना थमा, तो समुद्र की सतह में उफान आने लगा। लहरें उस व्यक्ति के दो बच्चों और ससुर एवं सास को बहा ले गईं। पर उसके दूसरे तीन बच्चे बच गये क्योंकि वे उसके साथ थे।
संजीव एक सिपाही था। उसने स्वयं को, अपनी पत्नी तथा लड़की को लहरों से बचा लिया। पर जब वह अपने रसोइया की पत्नी को बचाने गया तो दोनों को ही लहरें बहा ले गई।
13 वर्षीय मेघना को भी उसके माता-पिता एवं 77 अन्य लोगों के साथ लहरें बहा ले गई थीं। पर मेघना दो दिनों तक एकलकड़ी के दरवाजे पर बैठी भटकती रही। 11 बार राहत पहुंचाने वाले हेलीकॉप्टर उसके ऊपर से गुजरे पर वे उसे देख नहीं पाये। अंत में एक लहर ही उसे तट पर पहुँचा गई।
अल्मास जावेद 10 वर्ष की पोर्टब्लेअर स्थित कान्वेट स्कूल की छात्रा थी। उसका परिवार क्रिसमस मनाने दूसरे टापू पर गया था। अल्मास के पिता ने सबेरे समुद्री लहरों को पीछे हटते देखा। वह समझ गया कि ये लहरें पूरे वेग से वापस लौटेगी। उसने अपने परिवार को सुरक्षित स्थान पर ले जाने की चेष्टा की। परन्तु उसके पिता तथा दादा को एक विशाल लहर द्वारा बहा कर ले जाया गया। उसकी मां और चाचियों को भी लहरें बहा ले गई। अल्मास स्वयं एक लकड़ी के गट्टे पर चढ़कर बैठ गई। बाद में उसने स्वयं को अस्पताल में भर्ती पाया।
Thailand
एक घटना है थाइलैण्ड की। स्मिथ परिवार एक तटीय रिजार्ट में क्रिसमस मना रहा था। माता-पिता तथा उनकी दो बेटियाँ थीं। 26 दिसम्बर 2004 को समुद्र जल अन्दर आने लगा। पर छोटी लड़की टिल्ली ने आने वाले खतरे को पहले ही भांप लिया। उसे अपना भूगोल का पाठ याद आया जिसमें लिखा था कि भूचाल, ज्वालामुखी तथा भूस्खलन के कारण सुनामी का जन्म होता है, उसने परिवार के सदस्यों को आवाज दी कि तट से भाग चलो। उसके माता-पिता होटल की तीसरी मंजिल पर चले गये और बच गये। इस प्रकार भूगोल के पाठ की जानकारी ने उनकी प्राण रक्षा कर दी।
मनुष्य तो अपने प्राण खो बैठते हैं, जबकि वन्य तथा पालतू पशु समय रहते खतरे को महसूस कर लेते हैं। हाथी ऊँचे स्थान पर भाग गये और कुत्तों, पक्षियों तथा जीवोद्यान के पशुओं ने सुरक्षित स्थान खोज लिये। शायद पशुओं की एक छठी इंद्रिय होती है। वे झटकों को मानवों से कहीं पहले महसूस कर लेते हैं। इसके कारण उनके हताहत होने की संख्या बहुत कम रहती है। लंका स्थित याला नेशनल पार्क में किसी भी पशु के हताहत होने का समाचार नहीं मिला जबकि 60 पर्यटक सुनामी के शिकार हो गये।
The narrator of the story went to a junk shop and purchased a roll-top desk which was in bad condition. The narrator started its repairing on Christmas Eve and found a letter in its drawer. He read the letter. It was from Jim Macpherson to his wife Connie as written on top. After reading the letter, he found that Jim Macpherson was the leader of the England Army and he described that England and German were engaged in a war but on the Christmas morning a wonderful thing happened, first Germans wishes happy Christmas to English soldiers and same response was given by English also. The leaders shared their ideas and feelings with each other and celebrated Christmas by eating, laughing, talking and drinking. After that they played football match in which Germans won. In the night both troops sang carols and had a peaceful Christmas.
The author decided to gave this letter to Jim’s wife back. He went to the address which was written on the letter envelope where he found that an accidental fire caught in the house and she was in nursing home. He rushed to nursing home where he found Jim’s wife. As she was grown too old in the waiting of his husband he mistook the author by understanding him as Jim, his husband when narrator met him. She declared him as best Christmas present in the world.
Summary of the Chapter in Hindi
कहानी का वर्णनकर्ता एक कबाड़ की दुकान में गया और एक रोल-टॉप डेस्क खरीदा जो खराब स्थिति में था। वर्णनकर्ता ने क्रिसमस की पूर्व संध्या पर इसकी मरम्मत शुरू की और इसकी दराज में एक पत्र मिला। उसने पत्र पढ़ा। यह जिम मैकफर्सन से लेकर उनकी पत्नी कोनी तक के रूप में शीर्ष पर लिखा था। पत्र पढ़ने के बाद, उन्होंने पाया कि जिम मैकफर्सन इंग्लैंड की सेना के नेता थे और उन्होंने वर्णन किया कि इंग्लैंड और जर्मन एक युद्ध में लगे हुए थे लेकिन क्रिसमस की सुबह एक अद्भुत बात हुई, पहले जर्मनों ने अंग्रेजी सैनिकों को क्रिसमस की शुभकामनाएं दीं और उसी प्रतिक्रिया अंग्रेजी द्वारा भी दिया गया था। नेताओं ने एक-दूसरे के साथ अपने विचारों और भावनाओं को साझा किया और खाने, हंसने, बात करने और पीने के द्वारा क्रिसमस मनाया। उसके बाद उन्होंने फुटबॉल मैच खेला जिसमें जर्मनों की जीत हुई। रात में दोनों सैनिकों ने कैरल गाया और शांतिपूर्ण क्रिसमस मनाया।
लेखक ने यह पत्र जिम की पत्नी को वापस देने का निश्चय किया। वह उस पते पर गया जो पत्र के लिफाफे पर लिखा था, जहां उसने पाया कि घर में अचानक आग लग गई और वह नर्सिंग होम में थी। वह नर्सिंग होम पहुंचे जहां उन्हें जिम की पत्नी मिली। जैसे ही वह अपने पति की प्रतीक्षा में बहुत बूढ़ी हो गई थी, उसने लेखक को जिम, अपने पति के रूप में समझकर उसे गलत समझा जब कथाकार उससे मिला। उसने उसे दुनिया का सबसे अच्छा क्रिसमस उपहार घोषित किया।
When the water present on earth in the oceans, seas, rivers, lakes, ponds and under the ground gets contaminated, it is termed as water pollution. The contamination of water results in a change in its physical, biological and chemical properties and hence makes it unsafe for drinking or usage of other purposes. The substances that cause water pollution are called Water Pollutants. The pollution of water can lead to serious effects such as diseases, an effect on the ecosystem of a region, and loss of aquatic life.
Major Water Pollutants
Sewage: a massive amount of wastewater or sewage is dumped into water bodies such as rivers and seas which pollutes their freshwater and makes it inappropriate for any kind of consumption due to the rise of several bacteria and other microorganisms. It not only affects the aquatic life of the water body but also leads to severe diseases like cholera, diarrhoea and typhoid.
Industrial Chemical Wastes: Harmful chemicals such as lead and mercury are often dumped by industries into the water bodies directly which contaminate their water.
Agricultural Effluents: Fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides and farm wastes are often washed off by the rain to the water bodies and contaminate the water.
Oil Spills: Oil spills often occur due to accidents and leakages of oil in the sea which leads to loss of aquatic life.
Thermal Wastes: Thermal industries often spill warm water in the water bodies which decreases its oxygen content. It also leads to a rise in temperature of water which is not suitable for aquatic animals.
Suspended Solids: They come from soil erosion, untreated sewage and mining. These suspended pollutants block the sunlight from reaching the aquatic plants and animals.
Organism
Diseases
Remarks
Ascaris sp.
Nematode worms
Danger to man from polluted water and dried sludge used as a fertilizer.
Bacillus anthracis
Anthrax
Found in waste water spores are resistant to treatment.
Brucella sp.
Brucellosis, Malta fever in man, contagious abortion in sheep, goat and cattle.
Transmitted by infected milk by contact, by waste water.
Entameoba histolytcca
Amoebic dysentery
Spread by contaminated water.
Leptospira sp.
Leptospirosis (Well’s Diseases)
Caused by sewer rats.
Mycabact, tuberculi
Tuberclosis
Isolated from waste water
Salmonella paratyphi
Paratyphoid fever
Common in waste water
Salmonella typhi
Typhoid fever
Common in waste water
Salmonella sp.
Food poisoning
Common in waste water
Shigella sp.
Bacillary dysentery
Polluted water
Vibrio cholarae
Cholera
Polluted water
Virus
Poliomyelitus hepatitis
Waste water treatment plants
E. coil
Diarrhoea
Polluted water
What is wastewater?
The water that has been used and is not fit for usage again is called Wastewater. It is dirty water from the laundry, toilets, sinks and drains.
Water – Our Lifeline
Figure 1: Usage of clean water
We all need clean water however, not all can access the same.
Hence, it is necessary not only to preserve water but clean the used water before dumping it into the seas or any other water body.
This is why the United Nations proclaimed the period between 2005 and 2015 as the International decade for action on ‘water for life’.
What do you mean by cleaning of water?
It is a process in which the pollutants from the water are removed before the water reaches a water body or before it is used again. This process is also called Sewage Treatment.
What is sewage?
Wastewater from houses, offices, Industries, hospitals and other sources is called Sewage.
Rainwater that flows into the drains during heavy rainfalls is also sewage because it contains pollutants that it washes off from the roads.
Any liquid waste can be called sewage.
Sewage water contains impurities mixed into it as well as some suspended pollutants.
These impurities present in the sewage are called Contaminants as they contaminate the water.
Figure 2: Sewage is a mixture of impurities
Water freshens up – An Eventful Journey
Sewers – Large and small pipes that are installed in buildings to carry sewage water are sewers.
Sewerage – A network or transport system consisting of sewers is called Sewerage.
It carries sewage water from the point where it is produced to the point where it is disposed (treatment plant).
It consists of manholes that are located at every 50 to 60 metres.
The manholes are installed at a point where two or more sewers intersect or change their directions.
Every locality has as a system that allows removal of waste from the houses and industries.
Figure 3: Sewerage
Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP)
Wastewater includes biological, physical and chemical matter and hence involves biological, physical and chemical processes of removal of the contaminants.
The physical and biological process of treatment of water:
1. Separation of Large Objects from Sewage Water
The wastewater is first passed through bar screens which remove big objects from the water like plastic bottles, napkins, rags, cans and sticks.
Figure 4: Bar Screens
2. Separation of Sand and Dirt
The wastewater is then sent to a grit and sand removal tank. The speed of the water is decreased at this step. This allows the sand, dirt and pebbles to settle down.
3. Removal of Solids
Now the water cycles in a tank called Clarifier which is sloped in the centre. This lets the solids like faeces to settle at the bottom. This is called Sludge.
The sludge is then separated from the water with the help of a Scrapper.
Substances like oil and grease are removed with the help of a Skimmer as they float above the water. In this step clarified water is obtained.
The sludge so obtained is passed into a tank where anaerobic bacteria can decompose it and produce biogas. The biogas is then used as a fuel.
Figure 5: Sand and Girt Removal Tank
4. Suspended Sludge Removal
The clarified water also needs to be cleaned further. Hence, it is moved to an aerator that pumps air into it.
This allows aerobic bacteria to grow in this water.
The aerobic bacteria consume organic waste, soaps, food waste and other elements that remain in the clarified water.
This water is allowed to settle for several hours and then these waste materials settle down in the tank. This is called Activated Sludge.
The water is removed from the top of this sludge with the help of machines or sand drying beds. The sludge is then dried and can be used as manure.
Figure 6: Aerator
This treated water contains fewer amounts of impurities and suspended matter. This water is safe to dump into a water body or under the ground. Hence, it is then discharged into a sea, river or underground. Nature further cleans it up.
Chemical Treatment of Wastewater:
Sometimes harmful chemicals can be present in the water even after treating them physically and biologically.
These chemicals are therefore removed by using disinfectants such as chlorine and Ozone.
Often chlorine gas or ozone gas is introduced in this water which purifies it chemically.
Figure 7: WWTP
Eucalyptus Plant and Cleaning of Water
Eucalyptus plants can absorb the water at a faster rate and then they release pure water vapour. In this way, they act as a natural water purifier. Hence, it is advised to plant Eucalyptus trees along the sewage ponds.
Figure 8: Eucalyptus Plant
Why should we adopt better housekeeping practices and become an active citizen?
We should try to reduce the waste that produced in our households so that there is not much pressure on WWTP. It is often difficult to clean tons of wastewater.
The sewage water can cause several problems such as harmful diseases, unhygienic and unsanitary conditions in the locality.
Hence, we can be more considerate about producing a limited amount of waste and we can accomplish this by adopting better housekeeping practices.
Also, we can become an active citizen by making sure that there are no open drains or sewers in our locality. If we find any we should immediately report the same to the municipality.
What better housekeeping practices we can adopt?
A good way to minimise the sewage water is to check what is going in our drains. If we dispose of our waste properly we may be able to reduce the sewage. Here are some housekeeping practices that we should adopt:
We should through all the oil and fats in dustbin rather than throwing them of the dream. Oil and fats harden and block the drains. Moreover, it is difficult to separate them from the water.
We should not throw chemicals in the drains like insecticides, pesticides or medicines. They can kill the microbes in the water that help in its purification.
We should not throw things in the drain that can block them like tea leaves, food remains, cotton, soft toys etc. We should always through them in the dustbin.
Figure 9: Treating Water at home
Sanitation and Disease
Sanitation refers to the health conditions of people related to the disposal of sewage, human excreta and provision of clean drinking water.
Poor sanitation and polluted drinking water can lead to many diseases.
Hence, a sanitation system aims to provide a clean environment for us so that we can stay away from diseases.
Improper sanitation can give rise to different diseases that arise from contaminated water such as typhoid, dysentery, hepatitis, polio, cholera and meningitis.
The human excreta is a health hazard and can lead to soil and water pollution. It can pollute the surface water and groundwater. Hence, people should never defecate in open areas.
Alternative Arrangement for Sewage Disposal
As an alternative for sewage disposal on-site sewage is being used nowadays, for example, septic tanks, compost pit toilets and chemical toilets.
The onsite sewage treatments use natural procedures to treat and dispose of the wastewater or sewage.
This system is suitable in places where there is no central wastewater collection system.
Septic Tanks – A septic tank is often installed under the ground in houses or buildings such as hospitals. It allows decomposition of sewage from home through the action of anaerobic bacteria.
Chemical Toilets – A chemical toilet has a separate compartment that treats human waste with chemicals and decreases their odour.
Composting Toilets – A composting toilet treats human waste with biological processes. The aerobic bacteria are present in a storage tank that act upon the waste and turn it into compost.
Many organizations have also installed on-site hygienic waste disposal technology in which the human excreta directly flows into a biogas plant and is then used as an energy resource.
Sanitation at Public Places
There are numerous places in our country which are very busy such as airports, railway stations and bus depots.
Many times large gatherings such as fairs and festivals are also organized where a large number of people visits.
This results in the generation of large amounts of waste and if the waste is not treated properly it can lead to several diseases and even an epidemic.
Hence we should all become aware and contribute to maintaining sanitation not only in our homes but also at public places.
If we adopt certain practices at public places we can help in maintaining their sanitation, for instance:
We should not throw garbage in public places and always use the dustbins.
