War and Peace (Train to Pakistan)

Working with words

What do the underlined words in the following sentences mean? Tick the best answer.

a. The shouting and clamour would continue until long after the train had left the station. → a loud and confused noise

b. There were dozens outside perched precariously on footboards holding on the door handles. → not securely

c. The book had gone round the compartment for scrutiny. → examination

d. But Jugga had run away, absconded. → hid somewhere secretly

e. His countrymen’s code of morals had always puzzled him, with his anglicized way of looking at things. → characteristics of English

f. Iqbal felt a little silly for coming out with these platitudes. → doubtful remarks

Many words have been borrowed in English from different languages. Find the meaning of the following words which are borrowed from Hindi language.

veranda, khaki, pashmina, pajamas, pukka, pundit, avatar, bangle, cheetah, guru, jungle, karma, nirvana, shampoo, raita

Veranda: a porch or covered outdoor living space, typically on the front or back of a house.
Khaki: a dull yellowish-brown color, typically used to describe a type of fabric used for military uniforms.
Pashmina: a type of fine cashmere wool, used to make shawls and other clothing items.
Pajamas: loose-fitting pants and a top worn for sleeping or lounging.
Pukka: genuine, authentic, or of good quality.
Pundit: an expert or learned person, especially in Hinduism or Indian politics.
Avatar: a manifestation of a god or goddess in human or animal form in Hinduism, or any embodiment or personification of a concept.
Bangle: a type of decorative bracelet or ring worn around the wrist or arm.
Cheetah: a large wild cat found in Africa and parts of Asia, known for its speed and agility.
Guru: a Hindu or Sikh spiritual leader or teacher, or any wise and respected guide or mentor.
Jungle: a dense forest, typically in a tropical region, characterized by lush vegetation and wildlife.
Karma: the principle of cause and effect in Hinduism and Buddhism, whereby a person's actions in their current and past lives determine their fate in future lives.
Nirvana: a state of spiritual enlightenment in Buddhism and Hinduism, characterized by the extinction of desire and suffering.
Shampoo: a liquid preparation used for washing the hair.
Raita: an Indian condiment made with yogurt and various vegetables, fruits or spices.

Comprehension

Answer the following questions.

a. Why did Iqbal want to sleep in the afternoon?

Iqbal wanted to sleep in the afternoon because he had spent the night before on a crowded train and was unable to sleep due to the noise, heat, and smell in the compartment.

b. How did people react with each other in the train?

People in the train were crowded, and tempers were frayed due to the cramped conditions. Arguments broke out frequently, often because someone had spread themselves out too much or had trodden on another's foot.

c. Why did the book Iqbal was reading bring commotion in the compartment?

The book Iqbal was reading brought commotion in the compartment because the other passengers were curious about it and wanted to know what he was reading.

d. Why did Iqbal have to give clarification with his personal details?

Iqbal had to give clarification with his personal details because the other passengers were interested in his background and wanted to know more about him.

e. Who was Meet Sing and what did he report to Iqbal?

Meet Singh was a priest of Gurudwara and he reported to Iqbal about the murder of a fellow villager perhaps by a village’s dacoit named Jugga.

f. How, according to Meet Singh, was Jugga Sing different from his forefathers?

Meet Singh believes that Jugga Singh is different from his ancestors because while his ancestors were also dacoits, they never committed acts of robbery or violence against their own village or its residents. They were known to protect the village from outside dacoits. However, Jugga has betrayed the trust of his community by stealing from and even killing people from his own village. He killed one person from his village.

g. How does the author show contradiction in Meet Singh’s character?

The author shows a contradiction in Meet Singh’s character by saying that Meet Singh was not bothered by Jugga’s act of murdering a fellow villager and as a priest of Gurudwara, he even wanted to swear on the holy Granth to defend Jugga from the crime of murder.

h. Who was Hukum Chand and how did he succeed in his career?

Hukum Chand was the Deputy Shahib, also known as Nar Adami. He succeeded in his career by pleasing his Shaibs and getting promotions one after.

Critical thinking

Iqbal is addressed as Babu Sahib by general folk simply because he knew English. Are Nepali people who can speak English taken with respect? Discuss the importance of learning English in the Nepali context

In Nepal, English is often seen as a language of the elite class and is closely associated with social status and class. People who are fluent in English are often perceived as being well-educated and successful, and are given a great deal of respect. This perception is similar to how people may view someone who is well-dressed or appears affluent. In Nepal, knowing English is considered an important asset as it can open doors to higher education, career opportunities, and social status. English is also widely spoken in business, education, and government and is used as a medium of instruction in many schools. It's also used in the tourism industry. As a result, learning English is considered a valuable skill for students and professionals in Nepal.

Do you agree with Iqbal’s comments on crime and punishment? In your view, what should the state, society and individuals do for peace and order in social lives?

Yes, I agree with Iqbal's comments on crime and punishment. The state should have a clear and fair system of justice, one that holds criminals accountable for their actions and provides rehabilitation for those who can be rehabilitated. Society should also play a role in promoting values such as respect for the law and personal responsibility, and encouraging individuals to take action against crime in their own communities. Individuals should also be aware of their own actions and how they may contribute to crime and work to refrain from committing crimes, report crimes and support the victims of crime. Additionally, the state, society and individuals should work together to address the root causes of crime, such as poverty, lack of education and employment opportunities, and lack of mental health support.

Writing

Meet Singh says Jugga a badmash. There can be such people in your locality, too. Write a paragraph describing him / her.

In my neighborhood, there is a person named "Lalup" who is known as a badmash. He is a tall, muscular man in his late twenties, with a rough and intimidating appearance. He is often seen wearing dark sunglasses and a leather jacket, and has a tattoo of a skull on his right arm. He is known to be involved in illegal activities such as drug dealing and theft, and has a reputation for being quick to violence. He is feared by many in the neighborhood and is known to have a short temper. Despite the fear he instills in people, he is also known to be a charismatic individual, who can easily manipulate those around him. He is often seen hanging out with a group of like-minded individuals, who are also known to be involved in criminal activities.

You may have travelled by bus or train. During your travel, you might have got different experiences. Write a letter to your friend describing about your unforgettable journey

Dear [Friend's Name],

I hope this letter finds you well. I wanted to share with you about an unforgettable journey I recently had on a bus. It was a long-distance bus ride, and I had planned to take it for a few days to visit a friend in another city.

The journey started off well enough, with comfortable seating and pleasant scenery. However, things took a turn for the worse when the bus hit a pothole and broke down in the middle of nowhere. We were stranded for hours on the side of the road, with no idea when another bus would come along. To make matters worse, it started to rain heavily and we were all drenched and cold.

To keep our spirits up, some of the passengers started to sing and play music. It was a strange but heartening experience, and we all bonded over our shared misfortune. We shared some food and drinks, and laughed about our misfortune. Suddenly, a group of people came on the bus and offered us shelter in their nearby village. We were welcomed with open arms, and were able to spend the night in a warm and cozy home.

The next day, a new bus came and we resumed our journey. Even though the bus ride itself was not particularly noteworthy, the experience of being stranded and then taken in by strangers will always stay with me. It reminded me of the kindness of strangers, and how sometimes the most challenging situations can bring people together.

I hope you are well and have some exciting plans for the future. I look forward to hearing about your adventures.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

Grammar

Fill in the gaps with the suitable form of the verb in the brackets. Use past simple/past continous/past perfect tenses. You may need to use negative too.

It was Sunday afternoon. I was watching (watch) a cookery programme on TV when I realised (realise) how hungry I was. But of course, I was hungry; I hadn’t eaten (eat) anything since lunch, and I had run (run) a race in the morning. “Biscuits!” I thought (think). My mother had given (give) me a jar of delicious home-made biscuits.

I went (go) into the kitchen, opened (open) the fridge and poured (pour) some milk in a big glass. Then I looked (look) for the kitchen chair but it wasn’t (be) there: somebody had taken (take) it away. And there were no biscuits in the biscuit jar: somebody had eaten (eat) them all! I was sure I had put (put) the jar there the previous day and I had eaten (eat) only one cookie. It was very strange.

Rewrite the following sentences correcting the mistakes.

a. She played the flute and then she had sung in their choir.
She had played the flute and then she had sung in their choir.

b. I borrowed Rima’s car. Had you known about it?
I had borrowed Rima’s car. Had you known about it?

c. After the lesson had finished, we run out of school.
After the lesson had finished, we ran out of school.

d. Had you be there? – Yes, the previous year.
Had you been there? -Yes, the previous year.

e. Did you liked my article published in the Himalayan Times yesterday?
Did you like my article published in the Himalayan Times yesterday?

f. I recognized him because I saw him before.
I recognized him because I had seen him before.

g. I hadn’t gone out because I hadn’t finished my homework.
I didn’t go out because I hadn’t finished my homework.

h. We had done nothing like this at that time.
We did nothing like this at that time.

i. It was quite difficult. I had had no idea what to do.
It had been quite difficult. I had no idea what to do.

j. As far as I’d known, she had always had some pets.
As far as I knew, she had always had some pets.

k. When I met Jim, he was already a soldier for three years.
When I met Jim, he had already been a soldier for three years.

l. He had gone to the coffee because somebody had told him.
He went to the coffee because somebody had told him.