Carrier of Words
Reflect and Respond — Pictures & Discussion
They all belong to the postal profession — they are postmen or Dak Sewaks. The pictures show postmen from different time periods of India, dressed in their characteristic khaki uniforms.
Yes, postmen face many difficulties:
- They travel long distances on foot daily
- They face harsh weather — extreme heat, cold, rain, and sandstorms
- They carry heavy mailbags (up to 28 kg) on their shoulders
- They reach remote areas where there are no proper roads or transport
Postmen are like a lifeline for people in remote areas. They:
- Connect villagers with their faraway families
- Bring happy news (weddings, births) as well as sad news (deaths)
- Help villagers read letters and write replies
- Deliver money orders that help families survive
- Earn the trust and love of the people they serve
Vocabulary Passage Fill-up (Q-III)
Check Your Understanding — Section I
Khetaram took up this job because of poverty and famine in his area. In a good year, he can grow only one crop of bajra, which is not enough to feed his family of five. He needed an assured income to survive.
Despite the hardships, Khetaram feels grateful and proud. He is happy that he can serve people even after the age of 60. He takes pride in being a trusted link between villagers and their faraway families. He is dedicated, hardworking, and ready for new challenges — like becoming a Gramin Sanchar Sewak.
Check Your Understanding — Section II
| Situation | Reason |
|---|---|
| Khetaram’s body sends blazing signals that the temperature has crossed 50°C, but it is officially recorded as 49.9°C. | When the temperature is recorded as 50°C or above, a state holiday has to be declared by law — so it is recorded just below. |
| Khetaram can dwell on any threshold. | Because villagers trust him completely and feel comfortable asking him to read out letters and draft replies — sharing even personal matters. |
| BSF always gave Khetaram a lift. | Because he delivers their dak and they appreciate his honest service. They respect him and even offer him tea. |
Jaggery (gud) was offered as a sweet treat to celebrate happy news. In a poor desert village, jaggery was the only thing villagers could afford to offer. It was their traditional and warm way of thanking Khetaram and sharing the joyful moment with him.
Once phone lines reach the area, Khetaram will become a Gramin Sanchar Sewak. His duty will then include carrying a cell phone along with the post from home to home. This will make communication faster — villagers can talk directly to their faraway families instead of waiting for letters.
Critical Reflection — Extract 1 & 2
…the family is large (five members) and a single crop of bajra is not enough to feed them through the entire year, especially since famines are common in the arid desert region.
Khetaram called famine ‘a way of life’ because it happens regularly in his arid desert region. The villagers have learned to live with constant drought and food shortage. It has become a normal, everyday reality rather than an occasional problem.
The single crop of bajra (in a good year) was not enough to feed his family of five. Without the salary from his GDS job, his family would starve. So he had to take up this job for an assured and regular income.
Other families : Money orders :: Khetaram : Job / Salary / GDS Work
‘A good year’ signifies a year with enough rainfall when Khetaram is able to grow at least one crop of bajra. It is a year without complete famine — a rare blessing in the Thar Desert.
B. The Sender of the letter. The sender tears the corner to silently indicate that the letter carries bad news of death — a traditional practice in many parts of India, so the postman knows before he reaches the house.
…the family is in shock and grief, and may not understand the contents clearly the first time. Reading twice ensures the sad news is fully conveyed and understood by the grieving family.
FALSE — His actions perfectly matched his beliefs. He believed bad news must be destroyed outside the house, and that is exactly what he did — he stood outside, read it twice, then tore it to pieces.
Khetaram is philosophical, thoughtful, and deeply respectful of local customs and beliefs. He is also empathetic — he understands and handles the emotions of villagers during difficult moments with great sensitivity and care.
Answer the Following Questions
- They deliver mail in interior areas inaccessible by any means besides foot
- They serve in the frozen desert of Ladakh, islands of Lakshadweep, and riverine communities of the northeast
- They are the sole link between remote villages and faraway families
- They handle money orders essential for the survival of poor families
- They read and write letters for illiterate villagers
| British Postal System | India Post (Post Independence) |
|---|---|
| Set up only to relay company dak between administrative centres | Mission to bring the entire population within the mailing network |
| Served the British government, not common people | Expanded from 25,000 to over 1.5 lakh post offices — reaching remotest villages |
Khetaram was grateful because:
- His GDS job is his only source of regular income
- Famine is a way of life in his region — the bajra crop alone is not enough
- His family of five would starve without this job
- He feels proud and purposeful — the job gives him dignity and meaning at an old age
The author pays tribute because people like Khetaram:
- Are brave, dedicated, and hardworking — defying 50°C heat, sandstorms, and harsh terrain
- Are the sole connection between remote India and the outside world
- Carry both happy and sad news with deep humanity and respect
- Are “part and parcel of the social fabric” — invisible heroes who silently support millions
Vocabulary I, II & III
| Phrase | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| crumbles into sand | Disappears in the desert | The old road crumbles into sand as we approach the desert. |
| give a new lease of life | Get a chance to continue living | His new job gave him a new lease of life after years of unemployment. |
| turn into a trickle before drying out | Lessen gradually and then finally stop | The river will turn into a trickle before drying out in summer. |
| bearing words across this desolate geography | Carrying letters to less populated areas | Postmen have been bearing words across this desolate geography for centuries. |
| Word | It suggests… | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| arid | Farmland without much yield | The arid land could not produce enough crops. |
| concessional | Interest rate for the farmers | Farmers were given concessional loans by the bank. |
| gaunt | Farmer waiting for the rains | The old farmer looked gaunt after months of drought. |
| remote | Corner of the world | Khetaram serves a remote village in Rajasthan. |
| desolate | Desert stretching far and wide | The Thar Desert looks desolate for miles together. |
Vocabulary IV & V — Present Perfect & Passive Voice
Writing Task — Condolence Message
Dear Aunt Sunita,
We were deeply saddened and shocked to hear about the sudden passing of your dear father, our respected uncle. The news has left our hearts heavy with sorrow.
Please accept our heartfelt condolences. Your father was a kind, gentle, and loving person. His warmth and wisdom touched everyone who knew him. His absence will be deeply felt by our entire family.
We pray to God to grant eternal peace to the departed soul and the strength and courage to you and your family to bear this irreparable loss. Please remember that we are always with you in this hour of grief. Do let us know if there is anything we can do for you.
Mr. and Mrs. Sharma
Date → Salutation → Expression of sympathy → Kind words about the deceased → Words of comfort and strength → Offer to help → Closing
Learning Beyond the Text & Quick Revision
Philately is the study of postage stamps and postal history. Interesting fact: You don’t need to own stamps to be a philatelist — you can study rare stamps found in museums.
Telegrams were used to send short, fast, and precise messages like greetings and condolences. Each word was charged, so messages had to be brief. Telegrams are no longer in use in India — they were officially discontinued in 2013.
📮 Sole link between remote villages and the outside world
🤝 Reads letters, writes replies, and delivers joy and sorrow with equal care
🙏 An unsung hero — part and parcel of India’s social fabric — Theme of “Carrier of Words”