A Devoted Son

Understanding the text

Answer the following questions.

a. How did the morning papers bring ambiance of celebration in the Varma family?

The morning papers brought an ambience of celebration in the Varma family as it showed that the Rakesh had topped the Medical Examination and it was the matter of pride for the family.

b. How did the community celebrate Rakesh’s success?

The community people celebrated Rakesh’s success by visiting his little yellow house at the end of the road. There they congratulate Rakesh’s parents on their son’s remarkable success and congratulate Rakesh himself. The whole house and garden was quickly filled with the sights and sounds of a festival, with beautiful garlands, party clothes, and gifts.

c. Why was Rakesh’s success a special matter of discussion in the neighbourhood?

Rakesh’s success was a special matter of discussion in the neighbourhood because he was the first son in the family to receive an education. His parents had sacrificed so much in order to send him to school and then medical college. It was the matter of pride for the family as well as neighbours. Rakesh’s exemplary behavior that he touched the feet of his father as soon as he saw his results made Rakesh success a special matter of discussion in the neighbourhood.

d. How does the author make fun with the words ‘America’ and ‘the USA’?

Rakesh had won a scholarship in USA. His father learnt it to be called as ‘USA’ and taught the whole family not to say it as ‘America’ as it was the term to be called by his ignorant neighbours. In this way the author makes fun of the words ‘America’ and ‘the USA’.

e. How does the author characterize Rakesh’s wife?

The author characterizes Rakesh’s wife as an uneducated, old fashioned, plump girl. She was so placid, complaisant and lazy but too good-natured and pretty fat one.

f. Describe how Rakesh rises in his career.

After completing his medical education, he started his career as a doctor in the city hospital and quickly reached the top of administrative: organization and was made a director. Then, he opened his own private clinic and became known not only as of the best but also the richest doctor in city.

g. How does the author describe Rakesh’s family background?

Rakesh was from a poor family who used to live in a village in India. His father worked for a kerosene vendor and his mother spent her life in the kitchen. His grandparents also used to work as vegetable vendors. Despite of the poor economic condition, his parents worked hard and sacrificed everything they have for the higher education and medical college of his son Rakesh.

h. What is the impact of Rakesh’s mother’s death on his father?

Rakesh’s father was broken into pieces by the death of his wife. He fell ill so frequently and suffered with such mysterious disease named a peevish whim (sudden irritation in mind) that even his son could no longer make it out.

i. What did Rakesh do to make his father’s old age more comfortable?

Rakesh used to bring his father his morning tea in the old man’s favorite brass tumbler, and sat at the edge of his bed, comfortable and relaxed his father’s night-shirt, and read out the morning news for him. He used to help his father down the steps and onto the bed, soothing him and settling him down for a night under the stars.

j. Why did the old man try to bribe his grandchildren?

The old man tried to bribe his grandchildren in order to buy him sweets and Jalebis from the shop at the crossroads.

k. Are Mr. Varma’s complaints about his diets reasonable? How?

I don’t think that the Mr. Varma’s complaints about his diets are reasonable. His son had made a diet plan for him so that he could live a healthy life. Rakesh being a responsible son and a doctor too, can’t allow his father to risk his life eating unnecessary foods and sweets. Rakesh did so because he didn’t what to lose his father as he had already losed his mother. Thus the Mr. Varma’s complaints about his diet aren’t reasonable.

Reference to the context

a. How did Varma couple make sacrifices for their son’s higher education?

The Varma family made significant sacrifices for their son Rakesh's education. Mr. Varma, who worked at a kerosene depot, and Mrs. Varma, who was a homemaker, worked hard to ensure that Rakesh received a quality education. Mr. Varma, who never had the opportunity to attend school himself, wanted to see his son succeed and fulfill his own dreams through him. As Rakesh was the first in the family to receive an education, the Varmas made sacrifices in terms of their time, money, and personal lives to ensure that he had a bright future.

b. Mr. Varma suffers from diseases one after another after his wife’s death. Would he have enjoyed better health if she had not died before him? Give reasons.

Losing a loved one can have a profound impact on a person's well-being, and this was certainly the case for Mr. Varma. When someone has been a constant presence in your life for so long, it's natural to feel lost and alone when they're gone. The death of his wife left Mr. Varma feeling broken both mentally and physically, and it's likely that his health would have been better if she had not passed away. The support and comfort of a close companion can be critical in helping people to manage stress, cope with illness, and maintain good health. Unfortunately, in this case, Mr. Varma was forced to face these challenges on his own and it took a toll on his health.

c. Dr. Rakesh is divided between a doctor and a son. As a son, he loves his father and worries about his weakening health but as a doctor he is strict on his father’s diet and medicine. In your view, what else could Rakesh have done to make his father’s final years more comfortable?

Rakesh is faced with the dilemma of being both a doctor and a son to his father. He is concerned for his father's health, but as a physician, he is strict with his treatment. To make his father's final years more comfortable, Rakesh could have shown more empathy and understanding towards his father's feelings. Instead of dictating how things should be done, he could have given his father more independence and allowed him to dictate the level of support he needed. He could also have spoken to his father more respectfully, as his strict demeanor might have made his father feel uncomfortable. Additionally, Rakesh could have made an effort to spend quality time with his father, engaging in activities they both enjoyed, and allowing his father to lead their interactions. By doing this, Rakesh could have helped his father feel appreciated and valued, leading to a more comfortable and fulfilling final chapter of his life.

d. What does the story say about the relationship between grandfather and grand children?

The story "A Devoted Son" highlights the loving bond between grandfather and grandchildren. The relationship is depicted as strong and unbreakable, with the grandfather using the innocence of the children to his advantage. Despite his mischievous behavior, it is clear that he loves his grandchildren deeply. The relationship is shown to be a mixture of trust, innocence, and playfulness. Overall, the story portrays the close and cherished relationship between grandfather and grandchildren.

e. Do you call Rakesh a devoted son? Give reasons.

I would consider Rakesh to be a devoted son due to his actions and priorities towards his parents. He followed their guidance and fulfilled their expectations, such as achieving good grades, getting married, and moving back to India instead of staying in the USA for higher earnings. Despite his busy professional life, he still made time for his aging father and put his well-being above his own desires. Rakesh's unwavering commitment to his father's happiness and comfort highlights his devotion as a son.

Reference beyond the text

a. Write an essay on The Parents’ Ambition for their Children in Nepali Society. You must give at least five examples.

In Nepali society, parents hold great aspirations for their children. These ambitions are mostly driven by cultural and societal expectations, along with the desire for their children to live a better life than their own. There are several examples of these ambitions that can be seen in Nepali society.

1. Education: Education is one of the most important aspirations for parents in Nepali society. They believe that a good education will lead to a better future for their children. Parents often sacrifice their own needs and wants in order to provide their children with the best education possible. They also encourage their children to work hard and excel in their studies.
2. Marriage: Nepali society puts a high emphasis on arranged marriages. Parents often have high ambitions for their children to marry into well-to-do families with good social and financial standing. They believe that this will provide their children with a comfortable life and a good reputation in the community.
3. Career: Nepali parents often have high ambitions for their children to have successful careers. They encourage their children to pursue careers in fields like medicine, engineering, and law, which are considered to be highly prestigious and lucrative.
4. Social status: Nepali society is highly hierarchical, and parents often aspireate for their children to attain a high social status. They encourage their children to mix with the right people, attend the right events, and become part of the right social circles.
5. Financial stability: Nepali parents often have the ambition of ensuring their children have a financially stable future. They encourage their children to make smart financial decisions, save money, and avoid debt. They also provide their children with the financial support needed to pursue their education and career goals.

In conclusion, Nepali parents hold high ambitions for their children, driven by cultural and societal expectations, as well as the desire for their children to live a better life than their own. These aspirations are evident in the areas of education, marriage, career, social status, and financial stability.

b. Medicines replace our diets in the old age. What can be done to make old age less dependent on medicine?

To reduce dependence on medicine in old age, various measures can be taken, including:

1. Healthy diet: Adopting a balanced diet with adequate nutrients, vitamins, and minerals can help maintain overall health and reduce the need for medication.
2. Regular physical activity: Engaging in regular physical activity, such as walking or yoga, can help maintain physical fitness and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
3. Managing stress: Learning stress management techniques, such as mindfulness and deep breathing, can help improve emotional well-being and reduce the risk of physical health problems.
4. Getting enough sleep: Ensuring that one gets enough sleep, as lack of sleep can weaken the immune system and increase the risk of chronic diseases.
5. Avoiding harmful habits: Quitting habits like smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases and improve overall health.

By adopting these habits and living a healthy lifestyle, older individuals can reduce their reliance on medicine and enjoy a better quality of life in their golden years.

c. Write an essay on “Care of Elderly Citizens” in about 300 words.

In today’s society, there is a growing need for the proper care of elderly citizens. With longer life expectancies and the increasing number of elderly individuals, the care of the aging population is becoming increasingly important. It is essential to address the various physical, emotional, and mental health needs of these individuals to ensure that they are able to live out their golden years with dignity and respect.

One of the most important aspects of caring for elderly citizens is to ensure that they are able to receive proper medical attention. This means having access to quality healthcare facilities and healthcare professionals who are knowledgeable and experienced in treating the health conditions common to aging individuals. Additionally, it is important to provide elderly citizens with a healthy and balanced diet, as well as regular physical activity to maintain their physical health.

Emotional and mental health is also crucial for elderly individuals. Loneliness and isolation can have a negative impact on their overall well-being and can lead to depression and other mental health conditions. To address this, it is important to encourage social interaction and engagement with friends, family, and the community. This could be done through community programs, recreational activities, or volunteer opportunities.

Another important aspect of caring for elderly citizens is to ensure that they have a safe and comfortable living environment. This includes having access to quality housing, transportation, and personal care services. It is important to ensure that elderly individuals are not subjected to neglect, abuse, or financial exploitation, and that their rights are protected.

Finally, it is important to provide elderly citizens with a sense of purpose and meaning in their lives. Encouraging them to engage in activities that are meaningful and enjoyable can help boost their self-esteem, improve their overall well-being, and maintain their independence for as long as possible.

In conclusion, the care of elderly citizens is a critical issue in today’s society. By ensuring that they receive proper medical attention, emotional and mental support, a safe living environment, and opportunities for engagement and purpose, we can help ensure that they are able to live out their golden years with dignity and respect.