GLIMPSES OF INDIA

Glimpses Of India

GLIMPSES OF INDIA

GLIMPSES OF INDIA

PART II

COORG

COORG IN MONSOON

This part is a pen-portrait of Coorg, which is a coffee country, famous for its rain forests and spices.

SUMMARY

Coorg is the Karnataka's smallest district between Mysore and Mangalore. It is like a heaven on Earth. It is inhabited by martial men, beautiful women and wild animals.

It consists of evergreen forest, spices and coffee plantations. The best season to visit Coorg starts in September and continues to March. During those months the weather in Coorg is pleasant.

The people here may be of Greek or Arabic descent. According to a legend, Alexander’s army moved south along the coast and settled there only when they could not return to their country. These people married among the locals and their culture can be witnessed by their martial traditions, marriages and religious practices. The Kodavus (residents of Coorg) wear a long black coat with an embroidered waist-belt, known as ‘Kuppia’, which looks like a ‘Kuffia’ worn by the Arabs and the Kurds.

GENERAL CARIAPPA

The people of Coorg are renowned for their bravery. The Coorg Regiment is one of the Indian Army's most decorated regiments. The first Indian Army Chief, General Cariappa, was a Coorgi. Even the Kodavus are still permitted today without a licence to carry firearms.

A large number of animals and birds live in Coorg. Mahaseer, a large freshwater fish, is found here. Kingfishers, squirrels and langurs live without any fear. Wild elephants enjoy being bathed and scrubbed in the river by their mahouts. The river Kaveri gets its water from the hills of Coorg.

Even the laziest visitors become adventurous on coming to Coorg as it is full of adventure sports like river rafting, canoeing, rock climbing etc. The climb to Bramagiri hills brings smiles to many faces as one can see the panoramic view of Coorg from there.

The largest Tibetan village in India at Bylakuppe is populated by monks in red, ochre and yellow rob. Coorg is waiting for visitors to find even more surprises.

BANGALORE TO COORG ROADTRIP

Coorg can be reached by road and by rail. If you want to fly by air, then the nearest airports are Bangalore and Mangalore. By road, it is around 250-260 km from Bangalore.

Glimpses Of India

WORD MEANING

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Drifted from – been carried along gently by air.

Martial – having to do with war.

Plantations – an area planted with trees.

Pours – rains heavily.

Canopies – the highest layer of branches in the forest.

Prime – (here) the best.

Mainstream – a tradition which most people follow.

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Tales of valour – stories of courage and bravery usually in war.

Hospitality – generous and friendly treatment of visitors and guests.

Most decorated – having received a maximum number of awards for bravery in war.

Laidback – relaxed.

Mahouts – the keepers of elephants.

Rafting – travelling in a river in a raft.

Canoeing – travelling in a river in a canoe.

Rappelling – going down a cliff by sliding down a rope.

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Trails – paths created by walking.

Panoramic view – a view of a wide area of land.

Misty – filled with fog.

Landscape – an area of land that has a particular quality or appearance.

Ochre – a moderate yellow-orange to orange colour.

1. Where is Coorg?

Answer: Coorg or Kodagu is the smallest district (region) in Karnataka. It is located between Mysore and the coastal town of Mangalore.

2. What is the story about the Kodavu people’s descent?

Answer: The fiercely independent people of Coorg are descendants of Greeks or Arabs. A part of Alexander’s army marched south along the coast and settled here only when they could not return. These people married among the locals. This is the story about the descent of Kodavu people.

3. What are some of the things you now know about

(i) the people of Coorg?

Answer: The people of Coorg, who have descended from the Greeks or the Arabs,  are fiercely independent. 

(ii) the main crop of Coorg?

Answer: The main crop of Coorg is coffee.

(iii) the sports it offers to tourists?

Answer: It offers primarily adventure sports which include river rafting, canoeing, rappelling, rock climbing and mountain biking.

(iv) the animals you are likely to see in Coorg?

Answer: Macaques, Malabar squirrel, langurs, slender loris, elephants, etc. are most likely to be seen in Coorg.

(v) its distance from Bangalore and how to get there?

Answer: By road, it is around 250-260 kilometres from Bangalore.

4. Here are six sentences with some words in italics. Find phrases from the text that have the same meaning. (Look in the paragraphs indicated.)

(i) During Monsoons, it rains so heavily that tourists do not visit Coorg.

(Paragraph 2)

Answer: to keep visitors away.

(ii) Some people say that Alexander’s army moved south along the coast and settled there. (Paragraph 3)

Answer: as one story goes.

(iii) The Coorg people are always ready to tell stories of their son’s and father’s valour. (Paragraph 4)

Answer: are more than willing to recount.

(iv) Even people who normally lead an easy and slow life get smitten by the high energy adventure sports of Coorg. (Paragraph 6)

Answer: the most laidback individuals become converts too.

(v) The theory of the Arab origin is supported by the long coat with embroidered waist-belt they wear. (Paragraph 3)

Answer: draws support from.

(vi) Macaques, Malabar squirrels observe carefully from the tree canopy. (Paragraph 7)

Answer: keep a watchful eye.

5. From whom have the inhabitants of Coorg descended, as per the legend?

Answer: According to the legend, a part of Alexander’s army went to the south when retreating from India and settled in Coorg, when they learned that they could not return home. They then married among the locals and their descendants are the Kodavus (the people of Coorg).

6. How has the Coorgi tradition of courage and bravery been recognised a modern India?

Answer: By awarding the Coorgi regiment the most gallantry awards, the Coorgi's heritage of courage and bravery has been honoured. Furthermore, the Coorgis are the only Indians allowed to carry firearms without a licence. General Cariappa, the first chief of the Indian Army,  was also a Coorgi.

7. Describe the wildlife of Coorg.

Answer: Coorg's wildlife is comprised of macaques, langurs, squirrels and elephants. The birds spotted in Coorg are Kingfisher. Elephants love to be bathed and scrubbed in the river by their mahouts.

8. Describe any two tourist places of Coorg.

Answer: The climb of the hills Brahmagiri gives a panoramic view of the entire misty landscape of Coorg. A walk across the rope bridge leads to the 64-acre island of Nisargadhama.

Meeting Buddhist monks from India is a bonus at Bylakuppe, the largest Tibetan settlement in India.

9. Describe Coorg’s weather. When is it most pleasant for the tourists to visit Coorg?

Answer: In the months between September to March, the weather of Coorg is pleasing. During this time, the weather is perfect with some showers thrown in for good measure. It gets heavy rainfall during the monsoon.

10. The Coorgis are the descendants of the Greeks or the Arabs and are still able to maintain their traditional practices. Do you agree that following these practices today is important? Why or why not?

Answer:  I believe it is necessary, after reading the text, to follow the traditional practices because the Coorgi's traditions are known even today to the people. If the Coorgi people had not done so, their rituals would have perished and nobody would have known them today because of their culture and traditional practices.

10. How do Coorg’s location, People and natural features add to the diversity of India?

Answer: Coorg is considered as a celestial piece which must have drifted from the kingdom of God. It has rolling hillsides with a river free of pollution and forests full of wildlife. Here, in its pristine glory, nature exists, which enriches India's diversity. Besides, the plantations have been very different from the rest of India with coffee and spice. The Kodavus, are a martial race. Naturally, their hospitality is well-known. The monks, in red, ochre, and yellow robes, are amongst the many surprises that wait to be discovered by visitors searching for the heart and soul of India, right here in Coorg. All these features of Coorg add to the diversity of our country.
Glimpses Of India

PART III

TEA FROM ASSAM

This section deals with the tea plantations in Assam.

SUMMARY

Rajvir and Pranjol travel to Assam by train as Pranjol has invited Rajvir during summer vacation to visit his home. Rajvir is eager to see the stunning greenery and tea plantations outside. Rajvir tells Pranjol that over eighty crore cups of tea are drunk every day throughout the world.

Rajvir looks outside on the landscape and its beauty is fascinating. The view is also panoramic from the train. The soft green fields of paddies make way for tea bushes that stretch as far as the eye could see.

The discovery of tea has many stories. According to the Chinese legend, once a few leaves of tea leaves were dropped into boiling water that the emperor tasted and liked. Tea production has begun since then.

Indian legend claims a Buddhist monk cut off his eyelids because during the meditation he felt sleepy. Ten tea plants grew from these eyelids. When put in hot water and drunk, the leaves of these plants drove away sleep.

Rajvir tells Pranjol that tea was first drunk in China. Words such as ‘chai’ and ‘chini’ come from China. It spread from China to Europe and then to Asia. Earlier tea was drunk more as a medicine rather than a beverage.

The boys alight at Mariani junction. They drive to Dhekiabari, the tea garden managed by Pranjol’s father. Tea pluckers' group can be seen everywhere, with their bamboo baskets on the backs and wearing plastic aprons, plucking the newly sprouted leaves.
Glimpses Of India

WORD MEANING

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Steaming - very hot.
Buried his nose in - started reading.
Ardent - keen.
Backdrop - scenery at the back.
Dwarfing - making something appear small.

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Billowing - a moving cloud or mass of smoke.
Tea Country - an area where tea is grown.
Legends - a story from the past that is believed by many people but cannot be proved 
                 to be true.
Glimpses Of India

CHARACTERS

Rajvir - Rajvir is a youngster from Delhi. He always looks forward to learning new things.
Pranjol - Pranjol is a friend and classmate of Rajvir. He belongs to Assam.

1. Where were Rajvir and Pranjol going and why?

Answer: Rajvir and Pranjol were going to Assam as Pranjol had invited Rajvir to spend summer holidays there. The father of Pranjol was the tea-garden manager in upper Assam. So, he wanted Rajvir to visit the tea-gardens there and know about the history of tea.

2. What did Rajvir see while looking outside of the train?

Answer: While looking outside the train, Rajvir saw plenty of greenery. He was surprised first to see the soft green paddy fields, then the green tea bushes. It was green everywhere and Rajvir had never seen so much greenery before. It was a beautiful sight.

3. 'This is a tea country now.' Explain this concerning Assam.

Answer: Assam has the highest tea plantation concentration in the world. Here, you can find many tea gardens. Everywhere in Assam, a sea of tea bushes can be seen as far as the eyes can see. Most of the tea grown in Assam are supplied worldwide.

4. In what ways is China related to tea?

Answer: Tea was drunk first in China. The words related to tea such as 'chai' and 'chini' are Chinese words. There is a legend of a Chinese emperor who boiled water often before he drank. One day, some leaves of a twig fell into the water and gave it a delicious flavour. These were tea leaves.

5. Why did Pranjol's father say that Rajvir had done his homework before visiting Assam?

Answer: Before visiting the tea garden Rajvir was very excited and so studied a lot about it. Pranjol's father, therefore, said that Rajvir had already done his homework before visiting Assam.

6. What excited Rajvir? Why did Pranjol not share his excitement?

Answer: Rajvir was excited by the view of a tea garden, which he had never seen before. Pranjol did not share his excitement because he had been born and raised on a tea plantation.
Glimpses Of India

A TRAIN RUNNING IN A HIGH MOUNTAIN TEA GARDEN

TEA FROM ASSAM

7. Which state did Pranjol belong to?

Answer: Pranjol belonged to Assam.

8. Where was tea first drunk?

Answer: Tea was first drunk in China 

9. What was Pranjol’s father?

Answer: Pranjol's father was a tea-garden manager. 

10. When was tea first drunk in China?

Answer: Tea was first drunk in china in 2700 B.C.

11. How many cups of tea are drunk across the world daily?

Answer: Eighty core cups of tea are drunk across the world daily.

12. Why did Bodhidharma cut off his eyelids?

Answer: Bodhidharma cut off his eyelids because, during meditation, he was feeling sleepy.

13. Who was Bodhidharma?

Answer: Bodhidharma was an ancient Buddhist ascetic.

14. When did tea reach Europe?

Answer: Tea reached Europe in the sixteenth century.

15. Which tea-estate was managed by Pranjol’s father?

Answer: Dhekiabari Tea-Estate was managed by Pranjol’s father.

16. How does tea bushes present a magnificent view?
Answer: A sea of tea bushes stretched to the top of densely wooded hills as far as the eyes were able to see. 

17. What sort of tea leaves is generally plucked?

Answer: The newly sprouted leaves are generally plucked.

18. Why does the writer call the tea plants ‘a sea of tea bushes’?

Answer: The writer calls the tea plants as 'a sea of tea bushes' since tea bushes were stretched just like a sea as far as the eye could.

19. When should the tea leaves be plucked to have the best tea?

Answer: Tea leaves should be plucked to have the best tea from May to July.

20. What were the groups of women doing in the Dhekiabari tea estate?

Answer: The groups of women were plucking the newly sprouted tea leaves and putting them into baskets on their backs.

21. What was Pranjors father?

Answer:  Pranjol’s father was a tea-garden manager in upper Assam.

22. Where were Pranjol and Rajvir going?

Answer: Pranjol and Rajvir were going to Assam on summer vacation to visit Pranjol’s home.

23. How does Rajvir describe the tea-garden at Dhekiabari?

Answer:  Acres and acres of well-pruned tea bushes were on both sides of the gravel road. It was the second period of sprouting. Women wearing plastic aprons were plucking newly sprouted tea leaves and putting them in the bamboo baskets.

         

24. Describe the magnificent views of the tea estate concerning the lesson, ‘Tea from Assam’.

Or

Draw a pen picture of tea gardens in Assam.

Answer: The tea bushes were spread across the heavily wooded hills like a sea. There were doll-like figures amidst the orderly rows of the tea bushes plucking the newly sprouted tea leaves.

25. Describe the scenery that Rajvir saw as soon as the train pulled out of the station.

Answer: As the train advanced, huge fields full of green plantations were seen. Rajvir had never seen so much greenery. It was what he called a ‘magnificent view’. The bushes were stretched over the heavily wooded hills like a sea.

26. How long does the second flush or sprouting period last?

Answer: There are two flushes or cycles of sprouting periods. The second sprouting period lasts for three months, from May to July.

27. What happened to the Chinese emperor in “Tea from Assam” who always boiled water before drinking it?

Or

What is the Chinese legend regarding tea?

Or

What is the Chinese story about the discovery of tea?

Or

What is the history of tea in China?

Answer:  A Chinese emperor used to have boiled water to drink. One day a few leaves of a small twig fell into the pot in which water was being boiled. It gave the water a delicious flavour. It is said that those were tea leaves.

28. What was the Indian legend about the discovery of tea?

Or

Write down the Buddhist legend about tea.

Answer: An Indian legend goes like this. Once upon a time, there had been a Buddhist ascetic named Bodhidharma. One day, he cut off his eyelids because he used to feel sleepy during meditations. Ten tea plants rose out of the eyelids. When he put the leaves of those plants in hot water and drank. his sleep was banished. 

29. What did Rajvir see when he entered the Tea Estate?

Or

What made Rajvir amazed on the way?

Answer:  Rajvir was amazed to see huge fields with green plantations. At both sides of the road, there were huge green tea gardens. The tall trees at the back of the gardens looked magnificent in the forest on the rolling hills.

30. What did Rajvir and Pranjol do after the train pulled out of the station?

Answer:  When the train pulled out of the station, Pranjol started reading a detective book. Rajvir was looking out of the train, and he was amazed to see so much greenery everywhere that he had never seen before.

31. What details do you gather about tea from the lesson, ‘Tea from Assam’?

Or

What information do you gather about the history of tea after reading the lesson, ‘Tea from Assam’?

Answer: Tea was drunk first in China in 2700 B. C. Even the words such as 'chai' and 'chini' related to tea are Chinese words. Tea came to Europe in the 16th century and was drunk more as a medicine than as a beverage. Assam has the world's largest tea plantations concentration.

Glimpses Of India

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS

COORG

1. How much area of Coorg is covered by evergreen forests?

Answer: Thirty per cent area of Coorg is covered by evergreen forest.

2. From which river does Coorg get water?

Answer: Coorg gets water from the river Kaveri (also spelt Caveri).

3. Who was General Cariappa?

Answer: General Cariappa was the first chief of the Indian army. 

4. Which is the freshwater fish of Coorg?

Answer: Mahseer is the freshwater fish of Coorg.

5. What is the district headquarter of Coorg?

Answer: The district headquarter of Coorg is Madikeri.

6. What is the distance between Bangalore and Coorg?

Answer: The distance between Bangalore and Coorg is 260 km.

7. What is the best time of the year to visit Coorg?

Answer: The best time to visit Coorg is between September and March.

8. Which things show that the Coorgi people's culture is distinct from the Hindu mainstream?

Answer: The Coorgi people’s martial traditions, marriage and religious rites show that their culture is distinct from the Hindu mainstream.

9. What is so similar between the Kodavus and the Arabs?

Answer: The long, black coat is similar to the one used by the Arabs, with an embroidered waist-belt known as kuppia or kuffia.

10. Why do the visitors visit Coorg?

Answer: The visitors visit Coorg searching for India's heart and soul.

Glimpses Of India

11. What does Coorg have?

Or

What is Coorg home to?

Answer: Coorg has evergreen rainforests, spices and coffee plantations.

Or

Coorg is home to evergreen rainforests, spices and coffee plantations.

12. Why did a part of Alexander’s army decide to settle in Coorg?

Answer: A part of Alexander’s army settled in Coorg because their return was impossible.

13. Where can you have a panoramic view of the misty scenery of Coorg?

Answer:  We can have a panoramic view of the misty scenery of Coorg from the climb to the Brahmagiri hills.

14. Where can you see India’s largest Buddhist settlement in Coorg?

Answer: We can see the largest Buddhist settlement at Bylakuppe in Coorg.

15. Name the regiment that has received the maximum number of awards for bravery.

Answer: The regiment that has received the maximum number of awards for bravery Coorg regiment.

16. Name the only people in India who are permitted to carry firearms without a licence.

Answer: Kodavus the only people in India who are permitted to carry firearms without a licence. 

17. Which is the largest Tibetan settlement in India?

Answer: Bylakupee in Coorg is the largest Tibetan settlement in India. 

18. Which regiment is the most decorated in the Indian army?

Answer: Coorgi regiment is the most decorated regiment in the Indian army.

19. Which crops grow in Coorg in plenty?

Answer: Coffee and spices grow in Coorg in plenty.

20. What kind of tales do the Coorg people tell their children?

Answer: The people Coorg tell their children the stories of bravery of their sons and fathers.

Glimpses Of India

21. Which river flows through Coorg?

Answer: The river Kaveri flows through Coorg.

22. Which hills are found therein Coorg?

Answer: The Brahmagiri hills are found therein Coorg.

23. Coorgis are hospitable by nature. Explain.

Answer: Coorgis are a proud warrior race of men and beautiful women. They are very hospitable and entertain their visitors by sharing stories of the bravery of their sons and fathers.

24. Why is Coorg called the land of rolling hills?

Answer: Coorg has several hills and is itself a hill station. In a panoramic view, the hills appear to roll down that is why it is called the land of rolling hills.

25. Describe the natural beauty of Coorg.

Answer: Coorg is located in the state of Karnataka between Mysore and the coastal town of Mangalore. It is a beautiful place with rolling hills and lush green wetlands or rainforests. It is famous for coffee, spices and wildlife.

26. The people of Coorg have a tradition of courage and bravery. How has it been recognized in modern India?

Answer:  The Coorgis are a proud race of martial men and lovely women. They are very friendly and entertain their guests by sharing the stories of bravery of their sons and fathers. The Coorgi soldiers are courageous. One of the most decorated regiments of the Indian army is the Coorgi regiment. Coorgis are the only people permitted to carry firearms without a licence.

27. ‘Coorg is a tourist’s paradise. Discuss with reference to the extract from ‘Glimpses of India’.

Answer: Coorg, the smallest district of Karnataka, is situated halfway between Mysore and Mangalore. There are beautiful hills and lush green rainforests. It is a wonderful region. Coorg is known for coffee and spices. It is also renowned for its hospitality, bravery of its people, wildlife and adventure sports.

28. What does the writer say about Coorg?

Answer: The writer says that the smallest district of Karnataka Coorg is also known as Kodagu. It is situated between the coastal town of Mangalore and Mysore. It is a lovely place. The writer also says that it must have come from the kingdom of God.

29. What does the writer say about the people of Coorg?

Answer: The writer says that the Coorgi people are independent and brave. Their ancestry is either Greek or Arabic. According to a story, a part of Alexander’s army could not return and settled here. They married the locals. Their distinct culture can be seen in the martial traditions, marriage and religious customs.

Glimpses Of India

30. What supports the theory that the people of Coorg originated from the Arabs?

Answer: According to a theory, the people of Coorg came from the Arabs. The black coat worn by the people of Coorg supports this theory. This coat is just like the kuffia worn by the Arabs and the Kurds.

31. Describe the geographical location of Coorg.

Answer: The smallest district in Karnataka is Coorg or Kadagu. It is situated between Mysore and the coastal town of Mangalore. This heavenly piece can also be called the land of rolling hills. It is the home to evergreen rainforests, spices and coffee plantations. It has a lot of rains during monsoons.

32. Describe the climate, birds and animals of Coorg.

Answer: Coorg has a lot of rain during the monsoons. That is why many tourists generally do not visit this place during monsoon. The best tourist season begins in September and continues until March. Coorg's air smells coffee. It is also famous for spices. Throughout Coorg's rainforest, there are kingfishers, squirrels, langurs, wild elephants, bees and butterflies.

33. Describe the origin of Kaveri and the area around it.

Answer: The river, Kaveri, originates from the Coorgi hills and forests. In its waters there are abundant of a large freshwater fish called Mahaseer.  Kingfishers dive for their catch. The squirrels and langurs spill half-eaten fruit in the transparent water for the mischief of enjoying the sprinkling and rippling. One can reach the sixty-four-acre island of Nisargadatta by a walk through the bridge.

34. Describe the physical and geographical features of Coorg.

Answer: Coorg is a piece of heaven which must have fallen out of God's kingdom. This is a land of rolling hills with a proud race of martial men, beautiful women, coffee and wild elephants. It the smallest district of Karnataka and home to evergreen forests, spices and coffee plantation. This magnificent region of hills, rainforest and mist is situated between Mysore and the coastal town of Mangalore. Coorg's physical feature is influenced by rainforests. They occupy more than thirty per cent of the district. During the monsoons, it rains heavily. The best season for the tourists starts in September and ends in March. One can reach the sixty-four-acre island of Nisargadatta by a walk through the bridge. The river Kaveri gets its water from the hills and rainforests of Coorg. Beside many birds, bees and butterflies, the area abounds in wild elephants and langurs. One can get a panoramic view of the entire misty landscape of Coorg over the Brahmagiri hills. The sixty-four-acre island of Nisargadhama is the tourists' paradise.

35. Describe the rainforests, the river Kaveri and coffee plantations in Coorg.

Answer: Coorg is a land of high-rolling hills and rainforests. Its landscape is dominated by the rainforests. More than thirty per cent of Coorg is covered by the rainforests. Its forests are rich in flora and fauna. They provide shelter to birds, bees, butterflies, Malabar squirrels, langurs and wild elephants. These rainforests get heavy rains during the monsoons. Coorg's rainforests and hills are the sources of the river Kaveri. A large freshwater fish, Mahseer are abundant in Kaveri waters. Coorg is rich in the coffee plantation. One may find the smell of fresh coffee in its air. Coffee estates and colonial buildings are spread over the rolling hills everywhere.

Glimpses Of India