WBBSE 10th Class English Solutions Chapter 3 The Passing Away Of Bapu
WBBSE 10th Class English Solutions Chapter 3 The Passing Away Of Bapu
West Bengal Board 10th Class English Solutions Chapter 3 The Passing Away Of Bapu
WBBSE 10th Class English Solutions
Introduction
About the Author: Nayantara Sehgal was born on May 1927 into one of India’s most prominent political families. Her mother Vijayalakshmi Pandit was India’s ambassador to the USSR. Later she became the first woman President of the United Nations General Assembly. Her uncle Jawaharlal Nehru was India’s first Prime Minister and her first cousin, Indira Gandhi, third Prime was India’s Minister. So it is not surprising that politics and history inspire and underlie much of her writing. Beginning with her memoir Prison and Chocolate Cake’, which was published in 1954, Sehgal has authored many political writings like ‘The Story of India’s Freedom Movement’ and ‘Indira Gandhi: Her Road to Power’, along with a number of collection of essays, ‘Point of View: A Personal Response to Life, Literature and Politics’, etc.
Novels bring out Nayantara Sehgal as a writer with feminist concerns seeking independent existence of women. She sees women as victims of traditional Indian society engaged in their quest for identity.
She received the Sinclair Prize (Britain) for fiction in Award 1985, Sahitya Akademi in 1986, and Commonwealth Writers’ Award (Eurasia) in 1987. She was also a Fellow of the Woodrow Wilson International Centre for Scholars, Washington from 1981 to 1982.
As ‘the child of Gandhi’s India’, her own life, literary and personal, presents her as a great champion for the cause of Gandhian approach and ideology in life. Her novels, including her autobiographies, clearly bring forth the influence of the Gandhian principles and thoughts on her.
SUMMARY AND CRITICAL PERSPECTIVE OF THE ESSAY
The given text is an excerpt from Nayantara Sehgal’s autobiography. It shows the degree of emptiness created by the sudden death of Gandhiji. People all over the country were shocked by the incident. Initial silence followed by wild crying at the Birla house, showed the effect of an unexpected loss. Gandhiji’s funeral took place the day after his death. Hours in advance people lined the route of the procession. The narrator also walked with other people. It was almost impossible to move in the thick crowd. While walking she felt how walking with Bapu carried a different meaning. Bapu’s ashes were immersed in the Ganges in Allahabad. Back in Delhi, the narrator primarily felt at a loss. But gradually she came out of the phase and felt proud to bear the banner of Bapu. The narrator understood that Bapu’s India would live in his children.
UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT
Nayantara’s childhood and youth themselves have had a permanent mark of Gandhian ideology on them. It is noteworthy that she found an inspiring and motivating glimmer in the personality of Mahatma Gandhi who led a life with full simplicity and high thinking.
Godse approached Gandhi on January 30, 1948 during the evening prayer at 5:17 PM. When Godse bowed, one of the girls supporting Gandhi, said to Godse, “Brother, Bapu is already late” and tried to put him off, but he pushed her aside and shot Gandhi in the chest three times with a semi-automatic pistol. Gandhi was taken to Birla House but that was the last of Nation’s Father. Following the assassination of Gandhi, Godse was put on trial at the Punjab High Court. On November 8, 1949, he was sentenced to death. Godse was hanged at Ambala Jail on November 15, 1949.
The last act Gandhiji did was to lift both his hands as a sign of prayer towards the large gathering which had assembled for the prayer. Thereafter, he was speechless and the loss of blood, at his age made death inevitable. Lord Mountbatten and Cabinet Ministers, including Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad and others soon arrived.
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, who returned from Amritsar that afternoon, did not have an opportunity to meet Gandhiji. Pandit Nehru came out to address the huge gathering of nearly two lakhs which had surrounded Birla House. They broke down with grief more than once when he spoke. The leaders, including Pandit Nehru were dazed and perplexed, while tears overflowed down the cheeks of countless women and men both inside and outside Birla House. The griefstruck crowd, which went on swelling in numbers, were making their way into the main building to have a last glimpse of the departed leader. The crowd restrained themselves and leaders soon made arrangements to let the crowd see Mahatma Gandhi. The people of India felt insecure and helpless at large because they had lost the beacon called Gandhiji.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE TITLE
The essay does not deal with Mahatma Gandhi, but with the shock and sorrow that passed through the hearts of millions of Indians after the sudden death of the great man. The title introduces an inverse effect as the narrator concludes that Bapu merely had a physical death, but his philosophy would never die. Bapu. his philosophy and his India would continue to live in generations to come.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Choose the correct alternative to complete the following sentences:
1. Gandhiji had been shot on his way to—
A. the Birla House
B. the author’s house
C. a prayer meeting
D. a family gathering
2. The author came to know of Gandhiji’s death by –
A. a letter
B. a telephone
C. a telegram
D. a public broadcast
3. When one is faced with the shock of a loved one’s death, one –
A. whimpers
B. laughs
C. claps
D. shouts
4. The authoress was having tea-
A. in office
B. at home
C. at a party
D. on a road
5. The writer was called to Birla House by-
A. an envoy
B. a telephone call
C. a letter
D. a telegram
6. The words of Bapuji’s death spread in Delhi like —
A. a bullet
B. a fire fanned by wind
C. a rush of flood water
D. a rumour
7. The narrator went to Birla House by/on —
A. train
B. foot
C. horse drawn carriage
D. motor car
8. ‘Gandhiji’s followers and relatives assembled at —
A. the Sabarmati Ashram
B. the Birla House
C. Delhi
D. Gandhi Bhaban
9. In the beginning people —
A. remained silent
B. talked too much
C. talked a little
D. talked moderately
10. Death of Bapu left people —
A. indifferent
B. normal
C. shocked
D. unmoved
True or False
1. The author received an urgent telephone call in the morning.
Ans. False
2. People attemped to break into the Birla House.
Ans. True
3. The news of Gandhiji’s death did not shock the people.
Ans. False
4. The news of Gandhiji’s death spread rapidly.
Ans. True
5. At first people didn’t make any sound.
Ans. True
6. People jostled in protest.
Ans. False
7. People were not allowed to see Gandhiji before the funeral.
Ans. False
8. There was no radio announcement regarding Gandhiji’s death.
Ans. False
Complete the following sentences with information from the text:
1. The narrator got an urgent telephone on ……………….
Ans. The narrator got an urgent telephone on 30th January, 1948.
2. The narrator was called to ……………….
Ans. The narrator was called to Birla House.
3. The narrator received the news of Gandhiji’s death through an ……………….
Ans. The narrator received the news of Gandhiji’s death through an urgent telephone call.
4. The sad news of Gandhiji’s death spread like ……………….
Ans. The sad news of Gandhiji’s death spread like a flame fanned by wind:
5. Gandhiji had been shot ……………….
Ans. Gandhiji had been shot on his way to a prayer meeting.
6. At the Birla House, ……………….
Ans. At the Birla House, Gandhiji’s relatives and followers had gathered around his body.
7. The news of Bapu’s death made the narrator ……………….
Ans. The news of Bapu’s death made the narrator umb with shock.
Answer the following questions:
1. What was the condition of the narrator after getting the telephone call?
Ans. The telephone call made Nayantara Sehgal numb with shock.
2. What broadcast did the common people listen to?
Ans. The common people listened that their Bapu was no more.
3. Where was Gandhiji when he was shot?
Ans. Gandhiji was on his way to the prayer meeting when he was shot.
4. How did the authoress get the news ?
Ans. The authoress got the news by an urgent telephone call.
5. When and how did Gandhiji die?
Ans. Gandhiji was coming back from the prayer meeting. On his way back he was shot and died after a few minutes.
6. What did the narrator find reaching the Birla House?
Ans. Reaching the Birla House, the narrator found Gandhiji’s relatives and followers had gathered round his body. There was silence in the room as Gandhiji breathed his last.
7. How did the people react to the news of Gandhiji’s death?
Ans. The news of Gandhiji’s death had spread through Delhi like a flame fanned by the wind. Sad groups of men and women had collected around the Birla house.
8. What was the uppermost question in the minds of the mourning people?
Ans. What would become of the mourning people as Gandhiji had left them forever? This was the uppermost question in their mind.
9. Why did the people look like ‘lost children’?
Ans. To the common people of India, Gandhiji was Bapu, their father. After their Bapu’s death they felt uncertainty, knowing not where to go and what to do. Hence they are lost children :
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Choose the correct alternative to complete the following sentences:
1. Gandhiji’s funeral was to take place –
A. on the day of his death
B. two days after his death
C. one day after his death
D. a week after his death
2. Padmasi was Mrs. Naidu’s
A. niece
B. sister
C. friend
D. daughter
3. While walking, Bapu used to carry in his hand a/an —
A. flag
B. staff
C. umbrella
D. cane
4. The last walk with Bapu was-
A. pleasant
B. painful
C. strange
D. delightful
5. According to the narrator, walking with Bapu was —
A. quite boring
B. a usual affair
C. not a commonplace affair
D. meaningless
6. While walking, Bapu used to carry a –
A. staff
B. flag
C. book
D. bag
7. The narrator comments that to walk is to make —
A. a tiresome journey
B. no progress
C. rapid progress
D. slow progress
8. According to the narrator, walking required –
A. a lot of money
B. vehicle
C. one’s own body and energy
D. a walking stick
9. Walking with Bapu had a —
A. trivial meaning
B. common meaning
C. special meaning
D. no meaning at all
10. “Bapu’s slight figure had walked, staff in hand, over a large part of India”Here ‘staff refers to —
A. followers
B. common folk
C. long walking stick
D. cane
11. The corpse of Bapu lay on an open truck covered with –
A. national flag
B. flowers
C. white cloth
D. leaves
12. People lined in a crowd to see Bapu for the last time —
A. around his residence
B. at the burning ghat
C. along the route the funeral procession was to follow
D. at the place he was shot dead
Complete the following sentences with information from the text:
1. Thousands of people wept, trying …………………
Ans. Thousands of people wept, trying to touch Bapu’s feet.
2. The author was among people for whom walking …………………
Ans. The author was among people for whom walking with Bapu had a special meaning.
3. To walk is to …………………
Ans. To walk is to make slow progress.
4. Gandhiji’s funeral was to take place on …………………
Ans. Gandhiji’s funeral was to take place on the day after his death.
5. Bapu was being carried …………………
Ans. Bapu was being carried in an open truck.
6. Thousands of people were eager to …………………
Ans. Thousands of people were eager to touch Bapu’s feet.
7. India’s recent history was both …………………
Ans. India’s recent history was both rough and smooth.
True or False
1. Gandhiji’s funeral was to take place on the day of his death.
Ans. False
2. It was a pleasant walk.
Ans. False
3. People shouted while watching the procession.
Ans. False
4. Bapu lay on a covered truck.
Ans. False
5. According to the narrator, to walk is to make slow progress.
Ans. True
Answer the following questions :
1. Who was Padmasi?
Ans. Padmasi was Mrs. Naidu’s daughter.
2. Why was it impossible to move?
Ans. It was impossible to move due to the thick crowd. [এগোনো অসম্ভব ছিল প্রচুর লোকের ভিড়ের জন্য।]
3. What did the narrator understand at the time of walking?
Ans. She was not merely in the midst of grieving people.
4. What couldn’t the narrator accept?
Ans. The narrator couldn’t accept Bapu’s absence in walking forever.
5. What was the only way open to the average Indian?
Ans. To walk was the only way open to the average Indian.
6. What happened on the day of Gandhiji’s funeral?
Ans. On the day of Gandhiji’s funeral, people lined the route the funeral procession was to follow hours in advance. All the followers of Gandhiji walked with their Bapu for the last time.
7. What did Padmasi suggest and why?
Ans. Padmasi suggested that they should walk in the funeral procession of Gandhiji. It was because they would walk for the last time with the Mahatma
8. What did the narrator realise on the day of the funeral procession?
Ans. On the day of the funeral procession, the narrator realized that walking with Bapu among others had a special meaning.
9. What was Bapu’s view about walking?
Ans. According to Bapu’s opinion, to walk is to make slow progress. It gives scope to think with clarity and look closely at everything around the person.
10. How was walking for the average Indians?
Ans. For the average Indians, to walk was often the only way open. It required no vehicle except his own body and cost him nothing but his energy.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Choose the correct alternative to complete the following sentences:
1. Gandhiji’s ashes were taken to—
A. Ahmedabad
B. Allahabad
C. Delhi
D. Benaras
2. A huge crowd had gathered by the —
A. Ganges
B. Yamuna
C. Brahmaputra
D. Narmada
3. Gandhiji awakened people to one another’s —
A. indifference
B. jealousy
C. suffering
D. greed
4. Gandhiji’s ashes were taken to Allahabad by –
A. plane
B. bus
C. train
D. boat
5. The train compartment was decorated with —
A. banners
B. festoons
C. flowers
D. bhajans
6. Gandhiji’s presence could be felt amid the-
A. prayers
B. flowers and the songs
C. bhajans
D. memories of Gandhiji
7. The immersion of Gandhiji’s ashes took place in the river –
A. Ganges
B. Yamuna
C. Sarayu
D. Narmada
8. The author did not participate in Gandhiji’s movement as she had been a/an —
A. child
B. common person
C. worker
D. onlooker
9. The author felt ………… after returning to Delhi.
A. happy
B. helpless
C. excited
D. brave
10. After the passing away of Gandhiji, the author felt —
A. angry
B. confused
C. sorrowful
D. unprotected
11. Gandhiji brought millions of people out of —
A. indifference
B. poverty
C. illiteracy
D. sorrow
12. In the expression “He brought them out of indifference”, the word ‘indifference’ means –
A. lack of interest
B. differently
C. similarities
D. eager
13. Bapu’s ‘banner’ Implles —
A. the national flag of India
B. the flag designed by Gandhiji
C. Gandhian idealism
D. the Indian National Congress
Complete the following senten-ces with information from the passage:
1. People on the special train ……………….
Ans. People on the special train sang bhajans.
2. The author felt that she had grown up within ……………….
Ans. The author felt that she had grown up within a magic circle.
3. Bapu had passed away but ……………….
Ans. Bapu had passed away but his India would continue to live in his children.
4. People did not weep anymore for …………………
Ans. People did not weep anymore for they could feel Gandhiji’s presence amid the flowers and the songs.
5. At every station sorrowful crowds ………………..
Ans. At every station sorrowful crowds filled the platform.
6. Though Gandhiji had passed away, his India would continue to ……………….
Ans. Though Gandhiji had passed away, his India would continue to live in his children.
7. The narrator considered herself a mere onlooker because ………………
Ans. The narrator considered herself a mere onlooker because she was then too young to walk directly with Gandhiji.
Answer the following questions:
1. Why didn’t people weep anymore?
Ans. It was because they could feel Gandhiji’s presence there.
2. How did the narrator feel when she was back in Delhi?
Ans. Back in Delhi, the narrator felt at a loss.
3. What does the author mean by magic circle’?
Ans. Here ‘magic circle’ means the great living influence of Gandhiji.
4. How did the magic circle vanish?
Ans. The magic circle vanished with the passing away of Bapu.
5. How would India continue to live after the passing away of Bapu ?
Ans. India would continue to live in Bapu’s children.
6. How were Gandhiji’s ashes brought to Allahabad?
Ans. A special train took Gandhiji’s ashes to Allahabad. The compartment was decked with flowers. People on the train sang bhajans. Amid song and prayer the train reached Allahabad. [
7. What was the narrator’s resolution after Gandhiji’s death?
Ans. Gandhiji’s death was a great loss. But the narrator and others were still young, strong and proud enough to bear Gandhiji’s banner before them.
True or False
1. A general train took Gandhiji’s ashes to Allahabad.
Ans. False
2. Stations were crowded with happy people.
Ans. False
3. After the immersion of Gandhiji’s ashes at Allahabad, the narrator alone returned to Delhi.
Ans. False
4. The narrator did not have the opportunity to walk with Gandhiji directly.
Ans. True
5. With Bapu’s passing away, India ceased to exist .
Ans. False
6. With the death of Mahatma Gandhi, common people of India felt themselves unprotected.
Ans. True
7. The values of the narrator were very weak.
Ans. False
8. The narrator takes pride in bearing the banner of Bapu.
Ans. True
9. The narrator feels that Bapu’s India would continue to live in his children.
Ans. True
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