JKBOSE 10th Class English Solutions chapter – 2 Bholi

Bholi was a mentally-retarded child. Her real name was Sulekha. She was the daughter of Ramlal who was the village Numberdar. Bholi had an attack of smallpox at the age of two. Her whole body was disfigured. It had black pockmarks. She also stammered badly. Bholi had three brothers and three sisters. She was the youngest. Her brothers were sent to school and college. Her eldest sister was already married. A primary school for girls was opened in the village. None of her other sisters was sent to school. Only Bholi was sent to school as she had little chance of getting married. The teacher in the school helped her a lot. Bholi’s parents decided to marry her with a middle-aged person. When the man saw Bholi’s face at the time of the wedding, he laid down a condition. He said that he would marry only if he was given five thousand rupees. Bholi’s father had to give him the money. But now Bholi refused to marry such a greedy man. Bholi’s father told her that nobody else would marry her. At this Bholi said that she would look after her parents in their old age. And she said that she would teach in the school where she had learnt so much.

Bholi Summary in Hindi

भोली मानसिक रूप से पिछड़ी हुई एक बच्ची थी । उसका असली नाम सुलेखा था । वह गांव के नम्बरदार रामलाल की बेटी थी। जब वह दो वर्ष की थी तो उसे चेचक हो गई। उसके पूरे शरीर पर चेचक के काले निशान पड़ गए। वह बुरी तरह से हकलाया भी करती थी। उसके तीन भाई और तीन बहनें थीं। वह सबसे छोटी थी। उसके भाइयों को स्कूल और कॉलिज में शिक्षा दिलाई गई। उसकी सबसे बड़ी बहन का विवाह पहले ही हो चुका था। गांव में लड़कियों के लिए एक प्राइमरी स्कूल खोल दिया गया था। उसकी किसी भी अन्य बहन को स्कूल नहीं भेजा गया था। केवल भोली को ही स्कूल भेजा गया क्योंकि उसका विवाह हो पाने की लगभग कोई आशा नहीं थी । स्कूल की अध्यापिका ने उसकी बहुत सहायता की। भोली के मातापिता ने उसका विवाह एक अधेड़ आयु के आदमी के साथ करने का निश्चय कर लिया। जब विवाह के दौरान उस आदमी ने भोली का चेहरा देखा तो उसने एक शर्त रख दी। उसने कहा कि वह विवाह केवल तभी करेगा यदि उसे पांच हज़ार रुपए दिए जाएँ । भोली के पिता को उसे पैसे देने पड़े किन्तु अब भोली ने उस लालची आदमी के साथ विवाह करने से इन्कार कर दिया । भोली के पिता ने उससे कहा कि कोई दूसरा आदमी उससे विवाह करने को तैयार नहीं होगा। इस पर भोली ने कहा कि वह अपने माता-पिता की उनके बुढ़ापे में सेवा करेगी। तथा उसने यह भी कहा कि वह उसी स्कूल में पढ़ाया करेगी जहां उसने इतना कुछ सीखा था ।

Her name was Sulekha, but since her childhood everyone had been calling her Bholi, the simpleton.

She was the fourth daughter of Numberdar, Ramlal. When she was ten months old, she had fallen off the cot on her head and perhaps it had damaged some part of her brain. That was why she remained a backward child and came to be known as Bholi, the simpleton. At birth, the child was very fair and pretty. But when she was two years old, she had an attack of smallpox. Only the eyes were saved, but the entire body was permanently disfigured by deep black pockmarks Little Sulekha could not speak till she was five, and when at last she learnt to speak, she stammered. The other children often made fun of her and mimicked her. As a result, she talked very little.

Ramlal had seven children, three sons and four daughters, and the youngest of them was Bholi. It was a prosperous farmer’s household and there was plenty to eat and drink. All the children except Bholi were healthy and strong. The sons had been sent to the city to study in schools and later in colleges. Of the daughters, Radha, the eldest, had already been married. The second daughter Mangla’s marriage had also been settled and when that was done, Ramlal would think of the third, Champa. They were good-looking healthy girls and it was not difficult to find bridegrooms for them.

But Ramlal was worried about Bholi. She had neither good looks nor intelligence.

उसका नाम सुलेखा था, परन्तु बचपन से ही सब उसे भोली अर्थात् बुद्ध के नाम से बुलाते थे।

वह नम्बरदार रामलाल की चौथी बेटी थी। जब वह दस मास की थी, तो वह चारपाई पर से सिर के बल गिर गई और शायद इससे उसके दिमाग़ का कुछ भाग क्षतिग्रस्त हो गया था। इसी कारण से वह (दिमागी तौर पर ) पिछड़ी रह गई और उसे भोली अर्थात् बुद्ध के नाम से बुलाया जाने लगा। जन्म के समय बच्ची बहुत सुन्दर और गोरी थी । परन्तु जब वह दो वर्ष की हुई, तो उसे चेचक हो गई। उसकी केवल आंखें ही बच सकीं, किन्तु सारा शरीर चेचक के गहरे काले धब्बों से स्थायी रूप से भद्दा हो गया । नन्ही सुलेखा पांच वर्ष की आयु तक बोल न सकी और जब आखिर वह बोलना सीखी तो हकलाती थी । दूसरे बच्चे अक्सर उसका मज़ाक उड़ाते और उसकी नकल उतारते । परिणामस्वरूप वह बहुत कम बोलती ।

तीन लड़के और चार – रामलाल के सात बच्चे थे लड़कियां – तथा उनमें सबसे छोटी भोली थी। यह | एक धनी किसान का घर था और खाने-पीने को वहां पर्याप्त था। भोली के अतिरिक्त बाकी सब बच्चे तन्दुरुस्त एवं मज़बूत थे। बेटों को पढ़ने के लिए शहर में पहले स्कूलों में और फिर कॉलिजों में भेजा गया। बेटियों में सबसे बड़ी राधा की शादी पहले ही हो चुकी थी। दूसरी बेटी मंगला की शादी भी पक्की कर दी गई थी, और जब यह हो गया तो रामलाल तीसरी बेटी चम्पा के विषय में सोचने लगा। वे देखने में सुन्दर स्वस्थ लड़कियां थीं और उनके लिए वर ढूंढना कठिन नहीं था।

परन्तु रामलाल भोली के विषय में चिन्तित था । वह न तो सुन्दर और न ही बुद्धिमान थी ।

जब मंगला की शादी हुई उस समय भोली सात वर्ष की थी। उसी वर्ष उनके गांव में लड़कियों के लिए एक प्राथमिक स्कूल खोला गया । तहसीलदार साहब इसके उद्घाटन समारोह के लिए आए। उन्होंने रामलाल से कहा, “तुम माल – गुजारी अधिकारी के तौर पर गांव में सरकार के नुमाइंदे हो और इसलिए तुम्हें गांववासियों के सामने एक उदाहरण स्थापित करना चाहिए। तुम्हें अपनी बेटियों को स्कूल अवश्य भेजना चाहिए।”

उस रात जब रामलाल ने अपनी पत्नी से परामर्श किया तो वह चिल्ला उठी, “क्या तुम पागल हो गए हो? यदि लड़कियां स्कूल जाएंगी, तो उनसे विवाह कौन करेगा ?”

परन्तु रामलाल में इतना साहस नहीं था कि वह तहसीलदार की आज्ञा का उल्लंघन करे । अन्त में उसकी पत्नी ने कहा, “मैं तुम्हें बताती हूं क्या करना है। भोली को स्कूल भेज दो। जैसा कि है ही, उसका विवाह होने का लगभग कोई अवसर नहीं है, भद्दे चेहरे और अक्ल की कमी की वजह से। स्कूल के अध्यापकों को ही उसकी चिन्ता करने दो । “

अगले दिन रामलाल ने भोली का हाथ पकड़ा और बोला, “मेरे साथ आओ। मैं तुम्हें स्कूल ले जाऊँगा ।” भोली भयभीत हो गई। उसे मालूम नहीं था कि स्कूल कैसा होता है। उसे याद था कि किस प्रकार कुछ दिन पहले उनकी बूढ़ी गाय लक्ष्मी को घर से बाहर निकाल दिया गया था और बेच दिया गया था।

“न-न-न, नहीं नहीं नहीं, ” वह डर कर चिल्लाई और अपने पिता की पकड़ से अपना हाथ छुड़ा लिया।

“तुम्हें क्या हो गया है, मूर्ख ?” रामलाल ने चिल्लाते हुए कहा। “मैं तुम्हें केवल स्कूल लेकर जा रहा हूं ।” फिर वह अपनी पत्नी से बोला, आज इसे कुछ बढ़िया कपड़े पहना दो, नहीं तो अध्यापक और अन्य लड़कियां हमारे बारे में क्या सोचेंगी जब वे इसे देखेंगी ?”

भोली के लिए कभी नए कपड़े नहीं बनाए गए थे। उसकी बहनों के पुराने कपड़े उसे दे दिए जाते थे। कोई भी उसके कपड़ों की मरम्मत या धुलाई की परवाह नहीं करता था । परन्तु आज वह भाग्यशाली थी कि उसे साफ पोशाक मिली थी जो कि कई धुलाइयों के बाद सिकुड़ गई थी और अब चम्पा को पूरी नहीं आती थी। उसे नहलाया भी गया और उसके रूखे-सूखे बालों में तेल लगाया गया। केवल तभी उसे यह विश्वास हुआ कि उसे उसके घर से बेहतर किसी जगह पर ले जाया जा रहा था !

जब वह स्कूल पहुंचे, तो बच्चे पहले ही अपनी कक्षाओं में थे। रामलाल ने अपनी बेटी को मुख्याध्यापिका के हवाले कर दिया। अकेली रह जाने पर बेचारी लड़की अपने चारों तरफ भयभीत आंखों से देखने लगी । वहां कई कमरे थे। प्रत्येक कमरे में उसके जैसी लड़कियां चटाइयों पर बैठी थीं, पुस्तकों में से कुछ पढ़ रही थीं या स्लेटों पर लिख रहीं थीं। मुख्याध्यापिका ने भोली को एक कक्षा के कोने में बैठ जाने को कहा।

भोली को नहीं मालूम था कि स्कूल ठीक किस प्रकार का होता है और वहां क्या होता है, परन्तु वह वहां लगभग अपनी आयु की इतनी सारी लड़कियां देख कर प्रसन्न थी। उसे आशा थी कि उनमें से कोई लड़की शायद उसकी मित्र बन जाए।

अध्यापिका, जो कक्षा में थी, लड़कियों से कुछ कह रही थी परन्तु भोली को कुछ समझ न आया। वह दीवार पर लगे चित्रों को देखने लगी । रंगों ने उसे मोहित दिया – कर घोड़ा वैसे ही भूरे रंग का था जिस पर तहसीलदार बैठ कर उनके गांव आया था, बकरी उनके पड़ोसियों की बकरी के जैसी काली थी । तोता उन तोतों के जैसा हरा था जैसे उसने आमों वाले बाग में देखे थे तथा गाय बिल्कुल उनकी लक्ष्मी के जैसी थी । तथा अचानक भोली ने देखा कि अध्यापिका उसके पास खड़ी थी और मुस्करा रही थी ।

“तुम्हारा क्या नाम है, छोटी ?”

‘‘भ-भो-भो, ” वह इससे और ज़्यादा हकला ना पाई।

वह रोने लगी और उसकी आंखों से अनायास ही आंसुओं की एक बाढ़ बहने लगी। उसने अपना सिर नीचे को झुकाए रखा जब वह एक कोने में बैठ गई, उसका अन्य लड़कियों की तरफ देखने का हौसला न हुआ, जो वह जानती थी उस पर अब भी हंस रही थीं ।

जब स्कूल की अन्तिम घंटी बजी तो सब लड़कियां कक्षा से बाहर को भाग गईं, परन्तु भोली का अपना कोना छोड़ने का हौसला न हुआ। उसका सिर अब भी नीचे को झुका हुआ था, और वह सिसकियां भरती जा रही थी ।

“भोली।”

अध्यापिका की आवाज़ अति कोमल और ढाढ़स देने वाली थी ! अपने पूरे जीवन में उसे कभी भी उस तरह से बुलाया नहीं गया था। यह उसके दिल को छू गई।

उसके पूरे शरीर में से पसीना बहने लगा। क्या उसकी हकलाती जुबान उसे फिर अपमानित करेगी ? किन्तु फिर भी इस दयालु औरत की खातिर उसने एक बार फिर यत्न करने का निश्चय किया। उसकी आवाज़ कितना ढाढ़स बन्धाने वाली थी; वह उसका मज़ाक नहीं उड़ाएगी।

“बि-भ- भो- भो, वह हकलाने लगी।

“बहुत अच्छे, बहुत अच्छे, ” अध्यापिका ने उसका हौसला बंधाते हुए कहा । ” अब चलो अपना पूरा नाम बताओ।”

‘‘भ-भ- भो-भोली, ” आखिर वह ऐसा कहने के योग्य हो गई, और उसे राहत महसूस हुई मानो उसने कोई बड़ी उपलब्धि प्राप्त कर ली हो।

“बहुत अच्छे ।” अध्यापिका ने उसे प्यार से थपथपाया और कहा, “अपने दिल से डर निकाल दो और तुम किसी भी दूसरे की तरह बोलने के योग्य हो जाओगी।”

भोली ने ऊपर को देखा मानो पूछना चाहती हो, क्या सचमुच ?”

“हां, हां, यह बहुत ही आसान होगा। तुम्हें केवल प्रतिदिन स्कूल आना होगा । क्या तुम आओगी ?”

भोली ने ‘हां’ के भाव से सिर हिलाया ।

“नहीं, ऊंचे बोल कर कहो। “

“ह-ह- हां।” और भोली स्वयं चकित रह गई कि वह ऐसा कह पाई थी।

“क्या मैंने तुम्हें कहा नहीं था ? अब यह पुस्तक लो।”

पुस्तक सुन्दर चित्रों से भरी हुई थी, और चित्र रंगदार थे – कुत्ता, बिल्ली, बकरी, घोड़ा, तोता, बाघ और एक गाय, बिल्कुल लक्ष्मी के जैसी तथा प्रत्येक तस्वीर के साथ बड़े-बड़े काले अक्षरों में एक शब्द लिखा हुआ था।

“ एक महीने में तुम यह पुस्तक पढ़ने के योग्य हो जाओगी । तब मैं तुम्हें इससे बड़ी पुस्तक दूंगी, और फिर उससे भी बड़ी । कुछ समय में तुम गांव में किसी भी अन्य से ज़्यादा पढ़ी लिखी बन जाओगी। फिर कोई भी कभी तुम पर नहीं हँसेगा। लोग सम्मानपूर्वक तुम्हारी बात सुना करेंगे, और तुम तनिक भी हकलाए बिना बोल | सकोगी। समझ गई ? अब तुम घर जाओ और कल सुबह जल्दी आ जाना।”

भोली को ऐसा अनुभव हुआ मानो गांव के मन्दिर की सभी घंटियां बजने लगी हों और स्कूल वाले घर के सामने के पेड़ बड़े-बड़े लाल फूलों से भर गए हों। उसका दिल एक नई आशा और एक नए जीवन से धड़क रहा था ।

इस प्रकार वर्ष बीतते गए ।

गांव एक छोटे कस्बे में बदल गया । छोटा प्राथमिक स्कूल एक हाई स्कूल बन गया। वहां टीन वाले छप्पर के नीचे एक सिनेमा बन गया, तथा कपास में से बिनौले निकालने का एक कारखाना बन गया। उनके रेलवे स्टेशन पर डाकगाड़ी भी खड़ी होने लगी ।

एक रात, भोजन के बाद रामलाल ने अपनी पत्नी से कहा, “तो क्या मैं बिशम्बर का विवाह प्रस्ताव स्वीकार कर लूं ?”

“हां, जरूर, ” उसकी पत्नी ने कहा, “भोली भाग्यशाली होगी इतना धनवान दूल्हा पा कर । एक बड़ी दुकान, रुपए। अपना एक मकान और मैंने सुना है बैंक में हजारों इसके अतिरिक्त, वह किसी दहेज की मांग नहीं कर रहा है। “

“यह बात तो ठीक है, लेकिन तुम जानती हो वह इतना जवान नहीं है – लगभग मेरी आयु का है और वह लंगड़ाता भी है । इसके अतिरिक्त, उसकी पहली पत्नी के बच्चे काफी बड़े हो गए हैं। “

“तो इससे क्या अन्तर पड़ता है ?” उसकी पत्नी ने उत्तर दिया । “पैंतालिस या पचास – यह किसी आदमी के लिए कोई ज़्यादा उम्र नहीं होती है। हम भाग्यशाली हैं कि वह दूसरे गांव से है और उसके चेचक के दागों और इसकी कम अक्ल के बारे में नहीं जानता है । यदि हम इस प्रस्ताव को स्वीकार न करें, तो वह सारी आयु अविवाहित रह सकती है। “

“हां, लेकिन मैं नहीं जानता भोली क्या कहेगी ।”

“वह मूर्ख क्या कहेगी? वह तो एक गूंगी गाय के समान है।”

“शायद तुम ठीक कहती हो, ” रामलाल ने दबे स्वर में कहा ।

आंगन के दूसरे कोने में भोली अपनी चारपाई पर पड़ी जाग रही थी और अपने मां-बाप की बातें सुन रही थी ।

बिशम्बर नाथ एक धनी पंसारी था । वह मित्रों और रिश्तेदारों की एक बड़ी टोली के साथ विवाह के लिए आया । बैंड बाजे वाले एक फिल्म की धुन बजाते हुए बारात के आगे-आगे चल रहे थे, दूल्हा एक सजी हुई घोड़ी के ऊपर बैठा था । रामलाल इतना ठाठ-बाठ देखकर अति प्रसन्न हो उठा। उसने कभी अनुमान भी नहीं लगाया था कि उसकी चौथी बेटी का विवाह इतने शानदार ढंग से होगा। भोली की बड़ी बहनें, जो इस अवसर पर आई हुई थीं, उसके भाग्य पर ईर्ष्या कर रही थीं।

जब शुभ घड़ी आई तो पुरोहित ने कहा, “दुल्हन को लाओ।”

भोली, जो दुल्हन वाले लाल रेशमी वस्त्रों में सजी हुई थी, को पवित्र अग्नि के समीप दुल्हन वाली जगह पर लाया गया ।

“दुल्हन को हार पहनाओ, ” मित्रों में एक ने बिशम्बर को प्रेरित करते हुए कहा ।

दूल्हे ने पीले गेंदे के फूलों वाला हार ऊपर को उठाया। एक औरत ने दुल्हन के चेहरे से रेशमी घूंघट पीछे को सरका दिया । बिशम्बर ने जल्दी से एक नज़र देखा । माला उसके हाथ में टिकी रह गई । दुल्हन ने धीरे से घूंघट अपने चेहरे पर नीचे को कर लिया ।

“क्या तुमने उसे देखा है ? उसके चेहरे पर चेचक के दाग हैं, ” बिशम्बर ने अपने साथ खड़े मित्र से कहा ।

“तो क्या हुआ ? तुम भी तो कोई जवान नहीं हो । “

” हो सकता है। लेकिन अगर मुझे उससे विवाह करना है तो उसके पिता को मुझे पांच हज़ार रुपए देने होंगे।”

रामलाल ने जा कर अपनी पगड़ी – अपनी इज़्ज़त – बिशम्बर के पैरों पर रख दी, “मुझे इस तरह अपमानित न करो। दो हज़ार ले लो । “

‘नहीं, पांच हज़ार रुपए, नहीं तो हम वापस चले जाएंगे। अपनी बेटी अपने पास रखो ।”

“कृपया थोड़ा ख्याल करो । यदि तुम वापस चले गए तो मैं गांव में कभी किसी को अपना मुंह नहीं दिखा पाऊंगा।”

“तो पांच हजार रुपए निकालो । “

आंखों में आंसू बहते हुए ले कर रामलाल अन्दर गया, तिजोरी खोली और नोट गिने | उसने गड्डी दूल्हे के पैरों पर रख दी।

बिशम्बर के लालची चेहरे पर विजयी मुस्कान आ गई। उसने जुआ खेला था और जीत गया था। “मुझे माला दो, ” उसने ऊंचे स्वर में कहा ।

एक बार फिर दुल्हन के चेहरे पर से घूंघट पीछे को खिसकाया गया, परन्तु इस बार उसकी आंखें नीचे को झुकी नहीं थीं। वह ऊपर को देख रहीं थीं, अपने होने वाले पति की तरफ सीधा और उसकी आंखों में न गुस्सा था और न ही नफरत, केवल तिरस्कार |

बिशम्बर ने दुल्हन के गले में पहनाने के लिए हार उठाया; परन्तु इससे पहले कि वह ऐसा कर पाता, भोली का हाथ बिजली की चमक की भांति बाहर को निकला और माला आग में फेंक दी गई । वह उठ खड़ी हुई और उसने घूंघट खींच कर हटा दिया ।

‘‘पिता जी!” भोली ने ऊंची और साफ आवाज़ में कहा, तथा उसके माता-पिता, बहन- भाई, रिश्तेदार और पड़ोसी उसे इस प्रकार बिना ज़रा सा भी हकलाए बोलता सुनकर आश्चर्यचकित रह गए।

“पिता जी! अपने पैसे वापस ले लो। मैं इस आदमी से विवाह नहीं करूंगी।”

रामलाल स्तब्ध रह गया । मेहमान एक-दूसरे से फुसफुसाने लगे। ” कितनी निर्लज्ज है ! इतनी बदशक्ल और इतनी निर्लज्ज !”

“भोली, क्या तुम पागल हो गई हो ?” रामलाल ने चिल्लाते हुए कहा । “क्या तुम अपने परिवार को अपमानित करना चाहती हो ? हमारी इज्जत का कुछ ख्याल तो रखो!”

“आपकी इज्जत की खातिर ही, ” भोली ने कहा, “मैं इस बूढ़े लंगड़े से विवाह को तैयार हो गई थी । परन्तु में इस प्रकार के नीच, लालची और घृणित डरपोक को अपने पति के रूप में स्वीकार नहीं करूंगी, नहीं करूंगी, नहीं करूंगी, नहीं करूंगी।”

“कितनी बेशर्म लड़की है! हम सब समझते थे यह एक निष्कपट गूंगी गाय है । “

भोली अति क्रोधपूर्वक उस बूढ़ी औरत की ओर घूमी, “हां, चाची, तुम ठीक कहती हो। तुम सब सोचते थे कि मैं एक गूंगी हांकी जाने वाली गाय हूं । इसीलिए आप मुझे इस निर्दय व्यक्ति के हवाले करना चाहते थे। परन्तु अब यह गूंगी गाय, यह हकलाने वाली बेवकूफ, बोलने लगी है। क्या आप कुछ और सुनना चाहती हैं ?”

पंसारी बिशम्बर नाथ अपनी टोली सहित वापस जाने लगा। उलझन में पड़े हुए बाजे वाले समझने लगे कि यह उत्सव की समाप्ति थी, और वे विदाई का गीत बजाने लगे।

रामलाल धरती पर जड़वत् खड़ा रह गया, उसका सिर दुःख और शर्म से झुका हुआ था।

पवित्र अग्नि की लपटें धीरे-धीरे ठण्डी पड़ गईं । प्रत्येक कोई जा चुका था । रामलाल भोली की ओर घूमा और बोला, “लेकिन अब तुम्हारा क्या होगा, तुमसे अब कोई विवाह नहीं करेगा। हम तुम्हारा क्या करेंगे ?”

तथा सुलेखा ऐसी आवाज़ में बोली जो शान्त और स्थिर थी, “आप चिन्ता न करें, पिता जी ! आपके बुढ़ापे में मैं आपकी और मां की सेवा करूंगी और मैं उसी स्कूल में पढ़ाऊंगी जहां मैंने इतना कुछ सीखा है। क्या ऐसा ठीक नहीं रहेगा, मैडम ? “

अध्यापिका यह पूरा समय एक कोने में खड़ी रही थी और वह तमाशा देख रही थी। “हां, भोली, बिल्कुल,” उसने उत्तर दिया और उसकी मुस्कराती हुई । आंखों में एक गहरे संतोष की चमक थी जो एक कलाकार तब महसूस करता है जब वह अपनी श्रेष्ठतम् कलाकृति को निहार रहा होता है ।

Ans. The Tehsildar urges Ramlal to send his daughters to school. He wants him to set an example for others. But Ramlal’s wife is against sending girls to Misschool. She thinks nobody marries girls who have been to school. But there is no chance of Bholi getting married. She is not good-looking. And she lacks sense. So to get rid of her, the mother agrees to send her to school.

Ans. At home, nobody cares for Bholi. Even her mother thinks her to be a burden. But her teacher shows great love and sympathy for her. She speaks to her softly. She fills her heart with a new hope and a new life.

Ans. Bishamber is quite rich. He has a big shop, a house and a lot of money. He is not asking for any dowry. And Bholi is not good-looking. She lacks sense also. For all these reasons, Bholi’s parents accept Bishamber’s marriage proposal.

Ans. Bholi did not want to bring disgrace to her family. Therefore, she agreed to marry Bishamber who was of her father’s age. But at the time of marriage, Bishamber demanded a dowry of five thousand rupees. Bholi’s father placed his turban at Bishamber’s feet. But Bishamber was adamant. At this, Ramlal brought a bundle of five thousand rupees and placed at his feet. But Bholi refused to marry a man who was so mean and greedy. This shows that Bholi was a girl of great courage and confidence. She was not ready to suffer any disgrace or injustice. She decided to serve her parents in their old age, and thus proved that girls are in no way less helpful than boys to their parents.

Ans. Bholi’s real name is Sulekha. When she was ten months old, she fell off the cot. She fell on her head. Some part of her brain was damaged. It made her mentally backward. That was why she was called Bholi, the simpleton. She was sent to school. Her teacher showed great love and · sympathy for her. She filled her with great courage and confidence. Bholi gave Bishamber a befitting treatment. Now she was no longer a girl who lacked sense. She was wise, confident, courageous and self-respecting. That is why in the end of the story, she is referred to by her real name, Sulekha – not Bholi, the simpleton.

Ans. Ramlal had three sons and four daughters. The sons had been sent to the city to study. Of his daughters, Radha was the eldest. She had been married. The second daughter was Mangla. Her marriage had been settled. The third daughter was Champa. Ramlal was not worried about her also. Bholi was the youngest. When she was ten months old, she fell off the cot. It damaged some part of her brain. So she remained mentally backward. When she was two years old, she had an attack of smallpox. All her body had black pockmarks. She also stammered badly. The father was naturally worried about her.

Ans. Bholi’s father wanted to take Bholi to school. He caught her by the hand. Bholi was frightened. She pulled her hand away. She did not know what a school was. She thought they were going to turn her out like their old cow. Bholi never got any new clothes to wear. She got only the old dresses of her sisters. But before leaving for school, Ramlal asked his wife to give Bholi some nice clothes to wear. The mother washed Bholi. She gave her a clean dress to wear. She rubbed oil into her hair. Bholi had never got that much attention. She was always neglected. But that day it was different. So Bholi thought she was going to a better place than her home.

Ans. Ramlal took Bholi to school. She was happy to see so many girls of her own age. She hoped one of them might become her friend. The teacher asked Bholi her name. Bholi began to stammer. She couldn’t speak out her name. She sat down and began to cry. She did not dare to look up. She thought all the girls were laughing at her. The other girls ran out when the bell rang. Bholi didn’t leave her seat. The teacher came to her. She spoke to her lovingly. It touched Bholi’s heart. The teacher gave Bholi a book. She asked Bholi to give up her fear. She also said that Bholi should come to school every day. Thus the day ended happily for Bholi.

Ans. It was Bholi’s first day at school. The teacher asked Bholi her name. Bholi stammered badly. But the teacher encouraged her to speak. After much effort, Bholi was able to say-Bh-Bh-Bho-Bholi’. The teacher patted her lovingly. She asked her to give up her fear. She said that Bholi would be able to speak like everyone else. She gave Bholi a book. The teacher said that Bholi would finish it in a month. Then she would get bigger books. Thus she would become more learned than anyone else in the village. Nobody would then laugh at her. Such words filled Bholi’s heart with a new hope. She felt a new life in her heart.

Ans. At home, Bholi was a neglected child. She stammered badly. The other children in the house made fun of her. So she spoke very little. Even her mother thought her to be a burden. She never gave her new clothes. She got only the old dresses of her sisters. But at school, it was quite different. Bholi’s teacher gave her all love and affection. She encouraged her to speak. She said that one day, Bholi would be able to speak like anyone else. She also said that in time, she would become more learned than anyone else in the village. Then nobody would laugh at her. No one at home had ever shown Bholi such love.

Ans. Bishamber was a middle-aged grocer. He was almost as old as Bholi’s father. He limped while walking. He had grown-up children from his first wife. Even then, Bholi’s parents accepted his marriage proposal. They had their own reasons for it. Bishamber was quite rich. He had a big shop and a house. He had a lot of money in the bank. And he was demanding no dowry. On the other hand, Bholi was not good-looking. She had deep pockmarks on her body. Her parents thought she lacked sense. They thought none else would marry such a girl. That was why Bholi’s parents accepted Bishamber’s marriage proposal.

Ans. Bishamber came with a big party to wed Bholi. He took a garland to put round Bholi’s neck. Someone slipped back Bholi’s veil. Bishamber saw Bholi’s face. It had pockmarks. Bishamber refused to marry Bholi. He said he would marry her only if he got five thousand rupees. Bholi’s father placed his turban at Bishamber’s feet. Bishamber was not moved. At this Ramlal went in. He opened his safe. He counted five thousand rupees. He came out and placed the bundle at Bishamber’s feet. Now Bishamber lifted the garland. He wanted to put it round Bholi’s neck. But Bholi refused to marry a man who was so mean and greedy.

Ans. Sulekha was the youngest child of Ramlal. When she was ten months old, she fell off the cot. Some part of her brain was damaged. She could not grow mentally. She remained a backward child. That was why she was called Bholi, At the age of two, she had an attack of smallpox. It left ugly marks on all her body. She was not able to speak till she was five. And when she learnt to speak, she stammered badly. Other children used to laugh at her. Her parents also neglected her. She was not given new and clean clothes. Old clothes of her sisters were passed on to her. She was sent to school because her mother wanted to get rid of her for some time of the day at least. Therefore, we can say that Bholi’s childhood was not a happy one.

Ans. Bholi was a mentally-backward child. She had ugly black pockmarks on her body. Her parents thought she had no future. They thought her to be a mere burden. So they neglected her completely. She was never washed. Her hair remained matted. She was given old dirty dresses of her sisters. Her mother sent her to school. But she did it to get rid of her for some part of the day at least. Such a treatment of the child was wholly unjustified. Parents have a greater duty towards handicapped children. But Bholi’s parents did just the opposite. We can say that they were cruel and unthinking parents.

Ans. The story, ‘Bholi’, deals with a number of themes related to the girl child. It underlines the need of educating the girl child. It also underlines the need of dealing with handicapped children in a sympathetic manner. It shows how through proper education, through love and encouragement, a handicapped child can outdo even normal children.

Bholi was a mentally backward child. She stammered badly. And she had black pockmarks on her body. Her parents had little hope that anyone would marry her. They neglected her completely. But Bholi’s teacher gave her all love and affection. She filled her heart with a new hope. She said that in time she would become the most learned person in her village. Then nobody would laugh at her. Thus the teacher changed Bholi into a masterpiece of courage and confidence. We see this when Bholi refuses to marry a mean and greedy person like Bishamber.

Ans. Bholi’s marriage had been fixed to an old man named Bishamber. He came with a big party to wed Bholi. He took a garland to put round Bholi’s neck. Someone slipped back Bholi’s veil. Bishamber saw Bholi’s face. It had pockmarks. Bishamber refused to marry Bholi. He said he would marry her only if he got five thousand rupees. Bholi’s father, Ramlal, placed his turban at Bishamber’s feet. Bishamber was not moved. At this, Ramlal went in. He opened his safe. He counted five thousand rupees. He came out and placed the bundle at Bishamber’s feet. Now Bishamber lifted the garland. He wanted to put it round Bholi’s neck. But Bholj refused to marry a man who was so mean and greedy.

(A) The only woman of (in) the world who has scaled Mt. Everest is (was) born in a society where the birth of a son is (was) regarded as a blessing, and a daughter, though not consider (considered) a curse, was not generally welcome. (welcomed) Santosh was born the sixth child of a family with five sons, a sister of five brothers. The girl was given the name ‘Santosh’, which mean (means) contentment. But Santosh was not always content with her place in a traditional way of life. She begin (began) living life in (on) her own terms from the start. She decide (decided) to fight the prevailing custom in the family in her own quiet way when the right moments (moment) arrived. Her parents decide (decided) to marry her off, but marriage was the last thing on Santosh’s mind. She join (joined) the Maharani College in Jaipur and get (got) a room in Kasturba Hostel. The sight of the Aravalli Hills fascinated her much. She use (used) to watch villagers from her room. One day she go (went) near the mountains and find (found) nobody there except a few mountaineer. (mountaineers) She ask (asked) them if she can (could) join them. To her pleasant surprise, she get (got) the answer in positive which motivate (motivated her to take to climbing. She save (saved) money and enrol (enrolled) herself in (for) a course at Uttarkashi’s Nehru Institute in of Mountaineering instead of go (going back home. She went on expedition (expeditions) every year. Her climbing skill mature (matured) rapidly. Equip (Equipped with an iron will, physical endurance and an amaze (amazing) mental toughness, she prove (proved herself. After four years, i.e. in 1992, Santosh Yadav scale (scaled) Mt. Everest

becomes (becoming) the youngest woman in the world to achieve the feat.

(B) The Band Aid was invent (invented) in New Jersey. Dickinson fretted as his (bunt) wife Josephine, cut herself again and again on (while) working in the kitchen. One day while he was wrapping his (her) wound once again on (with) a bulky bandage of gauze and tape, he was struck by a (an) idea. He put some gauze (the) st strip of the (a) medical tape and the Band Aid was born. Billion (Billions) of cuts and scratches have been cure (cured) by Band Aid. It’s Noms (Its adhesive power has prevented much blood loss.

Bholi’s story is different in the sense that pockmarks have made her ugly, but there are numerous instances when a beautiful girl’s marriage proposal has been broken because of the dowry demand.

Ans. I would have called the police and handed over Bishamber to them for demanding dowry and insulting Bholi and her parents.

Ans. I would take a pledge never to give or accept any dowry and would encourage all young boys and girls to do the same in their life.

♦ Bholi : Bholi’s real name was Sulekha. Her parents called her Bholi because she was mentally backward. She stammered badly. And she had black pockmarks on her body. Her parents had little hope that anyone would marry her. They neglected her completely. But Bholi’s teacher gave her all love and affection. She filled her heart with a new hope. She said that in time, she would become the most learned person in her village. Then nobody would laugh at her. Thus the teacher changed Bholi into a masterpiece of courage and confidence. We see this when Bholi refuses to marry a mean and greedy person like Bishamber. Bholi’s life makes us realise the importance of educating girls. It can save them from becoming the victim of situation or society. We all must give our support to the movement ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padao’.

♦ Bholi’s parents : Bholi’s parents had three sons and four daughters. The sons had been sent to the city to study. Of the daughters, Radha was the eldest. She had been married. The second daughter was Mangla. Her marriage had been settled. The third daughter was Champa. Bholi’s parents were not worried about her also. Bholi was the youngest. When she was ten months old, she fell off the cot. It damaged some part of her brain. So she remained mentally backward. When she was two years old, she had an attack of smallpox. All her body had black pockmarks. She also stammered badly. The parents were naturally worried about her. Both Bholi’s father and mother were followers of tradition and had not the courage to stand up against bad customs of the society.

♦ Bishamber : Bishamber was a middle-aged grocer. He was almost as old as Bholi’s father. He limped while walking. He had grown-up children from his first wife. Even then, Bholi’s parents accepted his marriage proposal. They had their own reasons for it. Bishamber was quite rich. He had a big shop and a house. He had a lot of money in the bank. And he was demanding no dowry. But at the time of marriage, seeing ugly pockmarks on Bholi’s face, he starts demanding a big dowry. In spite of pitiable pleadings of Bholi’s father, the mean fellow refuses to budge. And then Bholi shows her own true mettle. She refuses point blank to marry such a mean person.

was She (Bholi) was the fourth daughter of Ramlal. When she was ten months old, she had fallen off the cot on her head and perhaps it had damaged some part of her brain. That was why she remained a backward child and came to be known as Bholi. At birth, she was very fair and pretty. But when she was two years old, she had an attack of smallpox. Only the eyes were saved, but the entire body permanently disfigured by deep pockmarks.

1. Bholi damaged some part of her brain when she fell off the cot.

2. Bholi was very fair and pretty but at the age of two, she had an attack of smallpox.

3. some part of her brain was damaged when she had fallen off the cot.

4. deep pockmarks after the attack of smallpox.

5. young, forward, defend, ugly.

Bishamber Nath was a well-to-do grocer. He came with a big party of friends and relations for the wedding. A brass-band playing a popular tune from an Indian film headed the procession, with the bridegroom riding a decorated horse. Ramlal was overjoyed to see such pomp and splendour. He had never dreamt that his fourth daughter would have such a grand wedding. Bholi’s elder sisters who had come for the occasion were envious of her luck.

     big, popular, never, elder.

(i) Bishamber Nath came with ……………… .

(ii) The brass-band was playing …………….. .

(iii) The bridegroom was riding ……………… .

(iv) Bholi’s elder sisters were ………………. .

(a) small, unpopular, always, younger.

(b) (i) a big party of friends (ii) a popular tune (iii) a decorated horse (iv) envious of her luck.