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प्रश्न
Now, read the following biographical extract on Sujatha Rangarajan, a Sciencefiction writer, and answer the questions that follow.
- Sujatha is the allonym of the Tamil author S. Rangarajan and it is this name that is recognised at once by the Tamil SciFi reading community. You might have seen the Tamil movie ‘Endiran’ where the robot Chitti exhibits extraordinary talents in an incredible manner. The robot could excel a human being in any act, beyond one’s imagination. Jeeno, a robotic dog which appeared in Sujatha’s science fiction novel “En Iniya Iyandhira” (My Dear Robot) formed the basis of Chitti’s character. Like Chitti, Jeeno was an allrounder who could cook, clean and fight. High-tech computer technology terms are used in the story. Jeeno, a pet robot, plays an important role throughout the story. As the story proceeds, it behaves and starts to think on its own like a human and instructs Nila, a human being, on how to proceed further in her crises.
- In the preface of ‘En Iniya Iyandhira’, the writer states the reason for his attraction to the genre: “Science gives us the wonderful freedom to analyse thousands and thousands of alternative possibilities. While using it, and while playing with its new games, a writer needs to be cautious only about one thing. The story should draw some parallels or association from the emotions and desires of the present humankind. Only then it becomes interesting. Jeeno, the robot dog, was intelligent. But the character became popular only because of the robot’s frequently displayed human tendencies.” It is no wonder that all his works echo these words and will remain etched in the minds of the readers who enjoy reading his novels to have a wonderful lifetime experience.
- It was Sujatha, who set the trend for sci-fi stories. He had tracked the origin from Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein to his short stories. He has written 50 sci-fi short stories and these were published in various Tamil magazines. His stories have inspired many readers to extend their reading to English sci-fi writers like Isaac Asimov. The themes were bold, even if there was a dependence on a very well-established characterization of English fiction. Sujatha opened up a new world to us with his writings on holograms, computers and works like ‘En Iniya Iyanthira’ inspire many to study computer science.
- He has been one of the greatest writers for more than four decades. He combined reasoning and science in his writings. Being a multifaceted hi-fi and sci-fi humanistic author, he expressed his views distinctively. He was the one who took Tamil novels to the next level. As an MIT alumnus and an engineer at BHEL, he was very good at technology. He could narrate sci-fi stories impressively. His readers always enjoyed reading all his detective and sci-fi novels which featured the most famous duo ‘Ganesh’ and ‘Vasanth’.
- Sujatha has played a crucial role as a playwright for various Tamil movies which have fascinated movie lovers. Hence, it is fathomable that the writer’s perspective of future India enthuses every reader and paves a new way to reading sci-fi stories in English.
A. Answer the following questions in a sentence or two.
- How was Jeeno different from other robots?
- What precaution should one take while writing Science fiction stories?
- What inspired Sujatha’s themes?
- Why were Sujatha’s sci-fi stories impressive?
B. Find words from the passage which mean the same as the following.
- difficult to believe (para 1)
- a style or category of art, music or literature (para 2)
- having many sides (para 4)
- capable of being understood (para 5)
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उत्तर
A.
- Other robots did tasks only as per the commands issued. But Jeeno frequently displayed human tendencies. It behaved and thought like a human being.
- The writer should ensure that the story draws some parallel or association from the emotions and desires of the present humankind. Only then science-fiction would be interesting.
- Sujatha had a bold trend in sci-fi stories. He had tracked the origin from Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein to his short stories. He opened up a new world to the readers with his writings on holograms, computers, robots who feel and behave like humans, (e.g) “En Iniya Iyanthira”. In short, Sujatha’s themes were inspired by reasoning, science, technology, computers, and humanoids.
- Sujatha’s sci-fi stories have really inspired Tamil readers to move on to read Isaac Asimov. He combined reasoning with science in his writings. Being a multi-faceted hi-fi and sci-fi humanistic author, he expressed his views distinctly. Being an alumni of MIT, he was good at technology. Thus his sci-fi stories were always impressive with interesting characters like Chitti, the robot; Jeeno the robot-dog and detective duo Ganesh and Vasanth.
B.
- difficult to believe (para 1) - incredible
- a style or category of art, music, or literature (para 2) - genre
- having many sides (para 4) - multifaceted
- capable of being understood (para 5) - fathomable
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संबंधित प्रश्न
Read the follow ing extract and answer the questions given below:
Not gold but only men can make
A people great and strong;
Men who for truth and honor's sake
Stand fast and suffer long.
Brave men who work while others sleep,
Who dare while others fly...
They build a nation's pillars deep
And lift them to the sky.
(1) What makes a nation strong?
(2) According to you, what makes India a strong and powerful nation?.
(3) Write down the rhyme scheme used in the extract.
(4) What does the phrase 'others fly ... ' mean?
Briefly explain the following statement from the text.
“You need some interaction to cause a transition.”
What makes the urgency of the child's demand seem logical?
The significance of reading an autobiography lies in drawing lessons from another life. What is the significance of Kumudini's account for us as readers?
The poem has a literal level and a figurative level. Why has the poet chosen 'tigers' and 'sheep' to convey his message?
Read the extract and state whether the following statement is true or false. Correct the false statement.
The aroma of the ‘desi’ rice would spread around the village.
Discuss with your partner and complete the web, highlighting the sad and gloomy aspects of life mentioned in the first part of the poem.
Justify the verdict delivered in the poem.
I can support my answer with the help of the following suitable arguments:
- _______________________
- _______________________
- _______________________
Explain the following statement with reference to the context.
You ought to be ashamed of yourself.
Visit a library: Find poems about animals. Copy them and recite them to your friends.
Talk about your strengths.
Write an imaginary telephone conversation in which you invite your friend to the above function.
Answer the following question and write in short, why the parody sounds funny.
What does the crocodile stand for?
The items in the programme below have got mixed up. Rearrange them in the proper order. Just add the number in the left-hand column.
| Balanand Vidyalaya Art Festival Programme | |
| ( ) | → Koli Dance |
| ( ) | → igniting the Lamp |
| ( ) | → Chief Guest Speaks |
| ( ) | → Appraisal of the Art Festival |
| ( ) | → Dignitaries Arrive |
| ( ) | → Recital of ‘Taal kacheri’ |
| ( ) | → Welcome and Introduction of Guests |
| ( ) | → Prize Distribution |
| ( ) | → The Boy Comes Home - A skit by Std IX |
| ( ) | → Vote of Thanks |
Now try to add a contradictory word to the following:
- What a ______ mess you’ve got us into!
- It’s a ______ imitation of a diamond necklace.
- My trip to Matheran was a ______ holiday.
- With such heavy makeup, she looks ______ ugly.
- A ______ crowd gathered to see the magic show.
Note: Contrasting words that go together are examples of the language device called Oxymoron.
List 5 of the sounds that you like.
Name the following.
Pounced on Dhyan Chand and hurt him.
In New York, Mr. Scotti left the plane because he thought he.
He decided to find his cousins’ home without their help. He asked the policeman for information in Italian because he.
He woke up very late in the morning.
Read Section – III (para 1 and 4) and answer the following questions.
Paragraph 1
1. Who listened to the chipping sound of the chisel? ______
2. Who was working with the hammer and chisel? ______
Paragraph 4
1. Who was staring? ______
2. Who was the young stone carver? ______
3. What was he working on? ______
Can a courageous man be defeated? Why?
Recite the poem ‘Mother Nature’.
Read the passage three times and colour a cup for eachtime.
There is a table under a tree. A man with a big hat and a hare with long ears are sitting. A young girl is sitting between them. There are many cups on the table. The girl has a cup in her hand, and the man has a pot in his hand. It seems like they are having tea. Yes, they are having tea at the tea party in Wonderland. The girl is Alice, and she is in Wonderland.
Who showed love and care to the children?
What did Kani realize in the story?
Try your own.
Write the rhyming word.
save- ______
Who was Hiawatha?
Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:
The Stationmaster’s Supreme Sacrifice by Sanchari Pal (Adapted)
- Thirty-three years ago, on the night of December 2, 1984, Bhopal was hit by a catastrophe that had no parallel in the world’s industrial history. An accident at the Union Carbide pesticide plant in Bhopal had released almost 30 tons of a highly toxic gas called methyl isocyanate, turning the city into a vast gas chamber. The result was a nightmare; more than 600,000 people were exposed to the deadly gas cloud that left thousands dead and many more breathless, blind and in agonizing pain. Few people know that during the Bhopal gas tragedy a heroic stationmaster risked his own life to save others.
- On the evening of December 3, 1984, Ghulam Dastagir was settling down in his office to complete some pending paperwork. This work kept him in his office till 1am in the night, when he emerged to check the arrival of the Gorakhpur Mumbai Express. As he stepped on to the platform, the deputy stationmaster felt his eyes burn and a queer itching sensation in his throat. He did not know that poisonous fumes leaking from Union Carbide’s pesticide factory were stealthily enveloping the railway station.
- Beginning to choke, Dastagir did not know then that twenty-three of his railway colleagues, including his boss, station superintendent Harish Dhurve, had already died. It was later reported that Dhurve had heard about the deadly gas and had immediately tried stopping the movement of trains passing through Bhopal before collapsing in his office chamber. His suddenly worsening health and years of experience told Dastagir that something was very wrong. Though he did not fully comprehend what was happening, he decided to act immediately when he did not get any response from the station master. He alerted the senior staff at nearby stations, like Vidisha and Itarsi, to suspend all train traffic to Bhopal.
- However, the jam-packed GorakhpurKanpur Express was already standing at the platform and its departure time was 20 minutes away. Listening to his gut instinct, Dastagir summoned his staff and told them to immediately clear the train for departure. When they asked if they should wait until the order to do so came from the head office, Dastagir replied that he would take complete responsibility for the train’s early departure. He wanted to ensure that the train left immediately, without any delay. His colleagues later recalled that Dastagir could barely stand and breathe as he spoke to them. Breaking all rules and without taking permission from anyone, he and his brave staff personally flagged off the train.
- But Dastagir’s work was not done. The railway station was filling up with people, desperate to flee the fumes. Some were gasping, others were vomiting, and most were weeping. Dastagir chose to remain on duty, running from one platform to another, attending, helping and consoling victims. He also sent an SOS to all the nearby railway offices, asking for immediate medical help. As a result, four ambulances with paramedics and railway doctors arrived at the station. It was winter and the gas was staying low to the ground, a thick haze poisoning everything in its path. Besieged by hordes of suffering people, the station soon resembled the emergency room of a large hospital. Dastagir stayed at the station, steadfastly doing his duty, knowing that his family was out there in the ill-fated city. That day all he had for his protection was a wet handkerchief on his mouth.
- Ghulam Dastagir’s devotion to duty saved the lives of hundreds of people. However, the catastrophe didn’t leave him unscathed. One of his sons died on the night of the tragedy and another developed a lifelong skin infection. Dastagir himself spent his last 19 years shuttling in and out of hospitals; he developed a painful growth in the throat due to prolonged exposure to toxic fumes. When he passed away in 2003, his death certificate mentioned that he was suffering from diseases caused as a direct result of exposure to MIC (Methyl Isocyanate) gas. A memorial has been built at platform No.1 to pay tribute to those who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty on the fateful night of December 3, 1984. However, Ghulam Dastagir, who died later, is not one of them. A forgotten hero whose sense of duty and commitment saved countless lives, Dastagir’s story deserves to be recognized and remembered by our fellow countrymen.
- Why was the accident at Union Carbide unparalleled in the world’s industrial history?
- How was Dastagir affected by the poisonous gas?
- What was the action taken by the station superintendent?
- How did Dastagir and his staff break rules?
- What was the cause of Dastagir’s death?
- Find words from the passage which mean the opposite of the following.
- safeguard (para 1)
- common or familiar (para 2)
- prompt (para 4)
- cause (para 6)
