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Each moment contains two phenomena, creation and dissolution, because opposites in life create the required cosmic balance. Just like our in-breath and outgoing breath, there is continuous rhythm in the cosmos. Day cannot exist without night and so too with all other things in life. Birth-death, male-female, peak-valley, good-bad, positive-negative, hot-cold, and so on may all seem like opposites but there is a definite interdependence between the two polarities that creates cosmic harmony. And this cannot be better explained than Shiva himself. Shiva essentially means 'that which is not'. He also embodies the concept of the union in his state of Ardhnarishwara, a blend of male and female energies and also of anger and compassion. Trinity of Gods in Hinduism is Brahma, the deity of creation; Vishnu, the deity of maintenance; and Shiva, of destruction or dissolution of the universe. Shiva is also infinite love and kindness, always ready to fulfil the wishes of devotees. Shiva is a reminder to devotees that without this dynamic balance of opposites, life would be chaos. Without the existence of night, a day would become dull; without woman, man would be incomplete. They seem like opposites, but are essentially one. Our mind often agitates as to why birth cannot be without death. But, it is equally true that birth and death are one and not separate from each other. And, that is what Shiva symbolizes. Every birth brings death and every death brings new life. Shiva represents the very peak of human evolution and the ultimate in life. To attain this, Shiva has given 112 methods of meditation. Life is a phenomenon of coming into form, and death is moving into the formless. Since, Shiva essentially means the formless, we do not keep pictures of Shiva in temples. Instead, we have him represented as Shivalinga. This aptly represents the merging of both form and formless, indicating the concept of Shiva. He makes us aware that all beings ultimately end up as non-beings and this world is a transit camp. Shiva brings this awareness for transformation, and turns the search within, so that seekers eventually move towards ultimate existence. If we realize this formless-form, then Shiva appears as a deity of compassion and liberation. The idea of oneness has always been emphasized by Indic sages. The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad says that the one who perceives life in different forms is distanced from the inner reality of Self. This world, Gods, Vedas, beings, and everything present in existence are all part of our inner Self. Everything is united in one deep state of unity. The conch and drums are different instruments containing different kinds of notes. Together, they produce beautiful music. In the concept of Ardhanarishwara, Shakti is feminine and Shiva is masculine but both are inseparable and united in total unity and harmony. Every individual has the traits of Ardhanarishwara. Opposites give us a chance to do things right. If we move against nature, we become unhappy and miserable, and that is a warning to put our house in order, by bringing back balance. Misery is not separate from happiness, but rather the absence of the latter. We see them as two because our minds cannot see through opposites, but when the mind is dropped, we are simply looking at life with totality and unity. In Shiva, we see both, diversity and unity. |
How does the author describe the Lord Shiva?
Concept: undefined >> undefined
| Once upon a time, there was a shy and quiet octopus. He nearly always went about on his own because, although he wanted to have lots of friends, he was too self-conscious. One day, the octopus was trying to catch a very slippery oyster. Before he knew it, he had tied himself into one massive knot, and he couldn't move. He tried with all his strength to wriggle free, but it was no good. In the end, despite the great embarrassment he felt at being seen in such a tangle, he had to ask for help from the passing fish. Many fish swain past, ignoring him, but one very kind little fish offered to help untie all those tentacles from all those suckers. The octopus felt heartily relieved when he was finally set free, but he was so shy that he didn't dare talk to the fish and make friends with him. He simply thanked the fish and quickly swam off. Later, the octopus spent the whole night thinking that he had wasted a great opportunity to make friends with that very kind little fish. A couple of days later the octopus was resting between some rocks when he noticed that everyone around was hurriedly swimming past. He looked into the distance and saw an enormous fish coming over to feed in that area. The octopus quickly hid; then, peeping an eye out from his hiding place, he saw that the huge fish was chasing the kind little fish who had untied him, That little fish really needed urgent help, but the big fish was so dangerous-looking that no one dared to go near. The octopus, remembering now the little fish had helped him, felt that he had to do whatever he could to come to his aid. Without hesitating, the octopus shot out from the rocks, like a ray. He put himself right in the path of the giant fish. and before the fish could do anything about it, the octopus had shot out the biggest jet of ink of his life. He grabbed the little fish and swam off back to hide in the rocks. Everything happened so fast that the big fish had no time to react. However, he soon recovered from the surprise. Off he went to the rocks, looking for the octopus and the little fish. Now he really wanted to gobble them down! Soon, though, he began feeling a terrible itch; first in his gills, and then in his fins, and then all over his body. It turned out that this giant fish had a very sensitive skin and the octopus's dark ink had given him a terrible allergy!! So the big fish swam away irritated all over. As soon as he was gone, all the fish that had been hiding came and congratulated the octopus for being so brave. Then the little fish told them all how he had helped the octopus a few days earlier, but he had never known anyone to end up doing something so dangerous. Hearing this, the other fish discovered how nice the shy octopus was, and everyone around was keen to be friends with such a brave and honourable octopus. |
Which of the following can be the MOST APPROPRIATE TITLE for the passage/story?
Concept: undefined >> undefined
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| Once upon a time, there was a shy and quiet octopus. He nearly always went about on his own because, although he wanted to have lots of friends, he was too self-conscious. One day, the octopus was trying to catch a very slippery oyster. Before he knew it, he had tied himself into one massive knot, and he couldn't move. He tried with all his strength to wriggle free, but it was no good. In the end, despite the great embarrassment he felt at being seen in such a tangle, he had to ask for help from the passing fish. Many fish swain past, ignoring him, but one very kind little fish offered to help untie all those tentacles from all those suckers. The octopus felt heartily relieved when he was finally set free, but he was so shy that he didn't dare talk to the fish and make friends with him. He simply thanked the fish and quickly swam off. Later, the octopus spent the whole night thinking that he had wasted a great opportunity to make friends with that very kind little fish. A couple of days later the octopus was resting between some rocks when he noticed that everyone around was hurriedly swimming past. He looked into the distance and saw an enormous fish coming over to feed in that area. The octopus quickly hid; then, peeping an eye out from his hiding place, he saw that the huge fish was chasing the kind little fish who had untied him, That little fish really needed urgent help, but the big fish was so dangerous-looking that no one dared to go near. The octopus, remembering now the little fish had helped him, felt that he had to do whatever he could to come to his aid. Without hesitating, the octopus shot out from the rocks, like a ray. He put himself right in the path of the giant fish. and before the fish could do anything about it, the octopus had shot out the biggest jet of ink of his life. He grabbed the little fish and swam off back to hide in the rocks. Everything happened so fast that the big fish had no time to react. However, he soon recovered from the surprise. Off he went to the rocks, looking for the octopus and the little fish. Now he really wanted to gobble them down! Soon, though, he began feeling a terrible itch; first in his gills, and then in his fins, and then all over his body. It turned out that this giant fish had a very sensitive skin and the octopus's dark ink had given him a terrible allergy!! So the big fish swam away irritated all over. As soon as he was gone, all the fish that had been hiding came and congratulated the octopus for being so brave. Then the little fish told them all how he had helped the octopus a few days earlier, but he had never known anyone to end up doing something so dangerous. Hearing this, the other fish discovered how nice the shy octopus was, and everyone around was keen to be friends with such a brave and honourable octopus. |
Why did the big fish swim away?
Concept: undefined >> undefined
|
Each moment contains two phenomena, creation and dissolution, because opposites in life create the required cosmic balance. Just like our in-breath and outgoing breath, there is continuous rhythm in the cosmos. Day cannot exist without night and so too with all other things in life. Birth-death, male-female, peak-valley, good-bad, positive-negative, hot-cold, and so on may all seem like opposites but there is a definite interdependence between the two polarities that creates cosmic harmony. And this cannot be better explained than Shiva himself. Shiva essentially means 'that which is not'. He also embodies the concept of the union in his state of Ardhnarishwara, a blend of male and female energies and also of anger and compassion. Trinity of Gods in Hinduism is Brahma, the deity of creation; Vishnu, the deity of maintenance; and Shiva, of destruction or dissolution of the universe. Shiva is also infinite love and kindness, always ready to fulfil the wishes of devotees. Shiva is a reminder to devotees that without this dynamic balance of opposites, life would be chaos. Without the existence of night, a day would become dull; without woman, man would be incomplete. They seem like opposites, but are essentially one. Our mind often agitates as to why birth cannot be without death. But, it is equally true that birth and death are one and not separate from each other. And, that is what Shiva symbolizes. Every birth brings death and every death brings new life. Shiva represents the very peak of human evolution and the ultimate in life. To attain this, Shiva has given 112 methods of meditation. Life is a phenomenon of coming into form, and death is moving into the formless. Since, Shiva essentially means the formless, we do not keep pictures of Shiva in temples. Instead, we have him represented as Shivalinga. This aptly represents the merging of both form and formless, indicating the concept of Shiva. He makes us aware that all beings ultimately end up as non-beings and this world is a transit camp. Shiva brings this awareness for transformation, and turns the search within, so that seekers eventually move towards ultimate existence. If we realize this formless-form, then Shiva appears as a deity of compassion and liberation. The idea of oneness has always been emphasized by Indic sages. The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad says that the one who perceives life in different forms is distanced from the inner reality of Self. This world, Gods, Vedas, beings, and everything present in existence are all part of our inner Self. Everything is united in one deep state of unity. The conch and drums are different instruments containing different kinds of notes. Together, they produce beautiful music. In the concept of Ardhanarishwara, Shakti is feminine and Shiva is masculine but both are inseparable and united in total unity and harmony. Every individual has the traits of Ardhanarishwara. Opposites give us a chance to do things right. If we move against nature, we become unhappy and miserable, and that is a warning to put our house in order, by bringing back balance. Misery is not separate from happiness, but rather the absence of the latter. We see them as two because our minds cannot see through opposites, but when the mind is dropped, we are simply looking at life with totality and unity. In Shiva, we see both, diversity and unity. |
What is the idea of oneness that is discussed in the passage?
Concept: undefined >> undefined
|
Each moment contains two phenomena, creation and dissolution, because opposites in life create the required cosmic balance. Just like our in-breath and outgoing breath, there is continuous rhythm in the cosmos. Day cannot exist without night and so too with all other things in life. Birth-death, male-female, peak-valley, good-bad, positive-negative, hot-cold, and so on may all seem like opposites but there is a definite interdependence between the two polarities that creates cosmic harmony. And this cannot be better explained than Shiva himself. Shiva essentially means 'that which is not'. He also embodies the concept of the union in his state of Ardhnarishwara, a blend of male and female energies and also of anger and compassion. Trinity of Gods in Hinduism is Brahma, the deity of creation; Vishnu, the deity of maintenance; and Shiva, of destruction or dissolution of the universe. Shiva is also infinite love and kindness, always ready to fulfil the wishes of devotees. Shiva is a reminder to devotees that without this dynamic balance of opposites, life would be chaos. Without the existence of night, a day would become dull; without woman, man would be incomplete. They seem like opposites, but are essentially one. Our mind often agitates as to why birth cannot be without death. But, it is equally true that birth and death are one and not separate from each other. And, that is what Shiva symbolizes. Every birth brings death and every death brings new life. Shiva represents the very peak of human evolution and the ultimate in life. To attain this, Shiva has given 112 methods of meditation. Life is a phenomenon of coming into form, and death is moving into the formless. Since, Shiva essentially means the formless, we do not keep pictures of Shiva in temples. Instead, we have him represented as Shivalinga. This aptly represents the merging of both form and formless, indicating the concept of Shiva. He makes us aware that all beings ultimately end up as non-beings and this world is a transit camp. Shiva brings this awareness for transformation, and turns the search within, so that seekers eventually move towards ultimate existence. If we realize this formless-form, then Shiva appears as a deity of compassion and liberation. The idea of oneness has always been emphasized by Indic sages. The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad says that the one who perceives life in different forms is distanced from the inner reality of Self. This world, Gods, Vedas, beings, and everything present in existence are all part of our inner Self. Everything is united in one deep state of unity. The conch and drums are different instruments containing different kinds of notes. Together, they produce beautiful music. In the concept of Ardhanarishwara, Shakti is feminine and Shiva is masculine but both are inseparable and united in total unity and harmony. Every individual has the traits of Ardhanarishwara. Opposites give us a chance to do things right. If we move against nature, we become unhappy and miserable, and that is a warning to put our house in order, by bringing back balance. Misery is not separate from happiness, but rather the absence of the latter. We see them as two because our minds cannot see through opposites, but when the mind is dropped, we are simply looking at life with totality and unity. In Shiva, we see both, diversity and unity. |
Which of the following statements are true in the light of the passage?
Concept: undefined >> undefined
| The best man in the whole tribe is Manute the brave, everyone would say. You could see for yourself, at any time of the day, just how brave he was. He would jump to the ground from amazing heights, he would fight poisonous snakes, he would catch scorpions with his bare hands and could cut the palm of his own hand with a knife – without even a flinch. They said the exact opposite about Pontoma. No one had seen him catch even a monkey. One day, they happened upon each other in the forest, and Manute was showing Pontoma a coral snake he had just caught when there began a downpour, the likes of which no one had ever seen. They both ran to shelter themselves under some thick foliage, and there they stayed until the rain had stopped. However, when they were about to leave the shelter, they heard the roar of a tiger, at a distance of only a couple of metres. The foliage was very thick and dense and the tiger wouldn't be able to get through it to attack them. However, the tiger was almost at the entrance hole. If it happened to come in and find the two tribesmen there, they certainly wouldn't get out alive. Manute was getting restless. He wanted to get out of that tight hole and confront the tiger in open space where he could fully use his great hunting skills. Pontoma was gesturing at him to keep still and be quiet, but Manute, tired of being stuck with a coward, leapt out of the thicket, surprising the tiger. The tiger suffered a couple of deep wounds, but soon recovered and hurt Manute with two swipes of its paw throwing him to the ground. The tiger took the initiative and leapt upon Manute, but Manute's spear, in the hands of Pontoma, interrupted the tiger's attack. The tiger turned away, wounded but the spear moved as fast as a beam of light, and with incredible precision, hurting animal again and again, until it fell to the ground, lifeless. Manute, shocked and bleeding freely from his injuries, witnessed all this while lying flat on his back on the ground. Never before had he seen anyone take on a tiger, and use the spear with such calmness and strength, as he had seen Pontoma do just now. Neither of them said a thing. Manute's grateful expression needed no words to be understood. Nor did they need words to know about Pontoma's wounded hand or the fact that they were leaving a tiger skin there in the forest. From that day on, people gradually remarked less on Manute's braveness. They thought may be he was less courageous than before. The strangest thing was that they now noticed that Manute's old spear was among Pontoma's things, But Manute just smiled and remembered the day he learned that true bravery lay not in seeking out danger, but in controlling one's fear when danger crosses your path. |
What did Manute learn from Pontoma?
Concept: undefined >> undefined
|
Each moment contains two phenomena, creation and dissolution, because opposites in life create the required cosmic balance. Just like our in-breath and outgoing breath, there is continuous rhythm in the cosmos. Day cannot exist without night and so too with all other things in life. Birth-death, male-female, peak-valley, good-bad, positive-negative, hot-cold, and so on may all seem like opposites but there is a definite interdependence between the two polarities that creates cosmic harmony. And this cannot be better explained than Shiva himself. Shiva essentially means 'that which is not'. He also embodies the concept of the union in his state of Ardhnarishwara, a blend of male and female energies and also of anger and compassion. Trinity of Gods in Hinduism is Brahma, the deity of creation; Vishnu, the deity of maintenance; and Shiva, of destruction or dissolution of the universe. Shiva is also infinite love and kindness, always ready to fulfil the wishes of devotees. Shiva is a reminder to devotees that without this dynamic balance of opposites, life would be chaos. Without the existence of night, a day would become dull; without woman, man would be incomplete. They seem like opposites, but are essentially one. Our mind often agitates as to why birth cannot be without death. But, it is equally true that birth and death are one and not separate from each other. And, that is what Shiva symbolizes. Every birth brings death and every death brings new life. Shiva represents the very peak of human evolution and the ultimate in life. To attain this, Shiva has given 112 methods of meditation. Life is a phenomenon of coming into form, and death is moving into the formless. Since, Shiva essentially means the formless, we do not keep pictures of Shiva in temples. Instead, we have him represented as Shivalinga. This aptly represents the merging of both form and formless, indicating the concept of Shiva. He makes us aware that all beings ultimately end up as non-beings and this world is a transit camp. Shiva brings this awareness for transformation, and turns the search within, so that seekers eventually move towards ultimate existence. If we realize this formless-form, then Shiva appears as a deity of compassion and liberation. The idea of oneness has always been emphasized by Indic sages. The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad says that the one who perceives life in different forms is distanced from the inner reality of Self. This world, Gods, Vedas, beings, and everything present in existence are all part of our inner Self. Everything is united in one deep state of unity. The conch and drums are different instruments containing different kinds of notes. Together, they produce beautiful music. In the concept of Ardhanarishwara, Shakti is feminine and Shiva is masculine but both are inseparable and united in total unity and harmony. Every individual has the traits of Ardhanarishwara. Opposites give us a chance to do things right. If we move against nature, we become unhappy and miserable, and that is a warning to put our house in order, by bringing back balance. Misery is not separate from happiness, but rather the absence of the latter. We see them as two because our minds cannot see through opposites, but when the mind is dropped, we are simply looking at life with totality and unity. In Shiva, we see both, diversity and unity. |
What are the traits that each individual possess?
Concept: undefined >> undefined
| The best man in the whole tribe is Manute the brave, everyone would say. You could see for yourself, at any time of the day, just how brave he was. He would jump to the ground from amazing heights, he would fight poisonous snakes, he would catch scorpions with his bare hands and could cut the palm of his own hand with a knife – without even a flinch. They said the exact opposite about Pontoma. No one had seen him catch even a monkey. One day, they happened upon each other in the forest, and Manute was showing Pontoma a coral snake he had just caught when there began a downpour, the likes of which no one had ever seen. They both ran to shelter themselves under some thick foliage, and there they stayed until the rain had stopped. However, when they were about to leave the shelter, they heard the roar of a tiger, at a distance of only a couple of metres. The foliage was very thick and dense and the tiger wouldn't be able to get through it to attack them. However, the tiger was almost at the entrance hole. If it happened to come in and find the two tribesmen there, they certainly wouldn't get out alive. Manute was getting restless. He wanted to get out of that tight hole and confront the tiger in open space where he could fully use his great hunting skills. Pontoma was gesturing at him to keep still and be quiet, but Manute, tired of being stuck with a coward, leapt out of the thicket, surprising the tiger. The tiger suffered a couple of deep wounds, but soon recovered and hurt Manute with two swipes of its paw throwing him to the ground. The tiger took the initiative and leapt upon Manute, but Manute's spear, in the hands of Pontoma, interrupted the tiger's attack. The tiger turned away, wounded but the spear moved as fast as a beam of light, and with incredible precision, hurting animal again and again, until it fell to the ground, lifeless. Manute, shocked and bleeding freely from his injuries, witnessed all this while lying flat on his back on the ground. Never before had he seen anyone take on a tiger, and use the spear with such calmness and strength, as he had seen Pontoma do just now. Neither of them said a thing. Manute's grateful expression needed no words to be understood. Nor did they need words to know about Pontoma's wounded hand or the fact that they were leaving a tiger skin there in the forest. From that day on, people gradually remarked less on Manute's braveness. They thought may be he was less courageous than before. The strangest thing was that they now noticed that Manute's old spear was among Pontoma's things, But Manute just smiled and remembered the day he learned that true bravery lay not in seeking out danger, but in controlling one's fear when danger crosses your path. |
‘or the fact that they were leaving a tiger skin there in the forest’. What event in the story does this line signify?
Concept: undefined >> undefined
| The best man in the whole tribe is Manute the brave, everyone would say. You could see for yourself, at any time of the day, just how brave he was. He would jump to the ground from amazing heights, he would fight poisonous snakes, he would catch scorpions with his bare hands and could cut the palm of his own hand with a knife – without even a flinch. They said the exact opposite about Pontoma. No one had seen him catch even a monkey. One day, they happened upon each other in the forest, and Manute was showing Pontoma a coral snake he had just caught when there began a downpour, the likes of which no one had ever seen. They both ran to shelter themselves under some thick foliage, and there they stayed until the rain had stopped. However, when they were about to leave the shelter, they heard the roar of a tiger, at a distance of only a couple of metres. The foliage was very thick and dense and the tiger wouldn't be able to get through it to attack them. However, the tiger was almost at the entrance hole. If it happened to come in and find the two tribesmen there, they certainly wouldn't get out alive. Manute was getting restless. He wanted to get out of that tight hole and confront the tiger in open space where he could fully use his great hunting skills. Pontoma was gesturing at him to keep still and be quiet, but Manute, tired of being stuck with a coward, leapt out of the thicket, surprising the tiger. The tiger suffered a couple of deep wounds, but soon recovered and hurt Manute with two swipes of its paw throwing him to the ground. The tiger took the initiative and leapt upon Manute, but Manute's spear, in the hands of Pontoma, interrupted the tiger's attack. The tiger turned away, wounded but the spear moved as fast as a beam of light, and with incredible precision, hurting animal again and again, until it fell to the ground, lifeless. Manute, shocked and bleeding freely from his injuries, witnessed all this while lying flat on his back on the ground. Never before had he seen anyone take on a tiger, and use the spear with such calmness and strength, as he had seen Pontoma do just now. Neither of them said a thing. Manute's grateful expression needed no words to be understood. Nor did they need words to know about Pontoma's wounded hand or the fact that they were leaving a tiger skin there in the forest. From that day on, people gradually remarked less on Manute's braveness. They thought may be he was less courageous than before. The strangest thing was that they now noticed that Manute's old spear was among Pontoma's things, But Manute just smiled and remembered the day he learned that true bravery lay not in seeking out danger, but in controlling one's fear when danger crosses your path. |
What did Manute and Pontoma do when it started raining?
Concept: undefined >> undefined
| The best man in the whole tribe is Manute the brave, everyone would say. You could see for yourself, at any time of the day, just how brave he was. He would jump to the ground from amazing heights, he would fight poisonous snakes, he would catch scorpions with his bare hands and could cut the palm of his own hand with a knife – without even a flinch. They said the exact opposite about Pontoma. No one had seen him catch even a monkey. One day, they happened upon each other in the forest, and Manute was showing Pontoma a coral snake he had just caught when there began a downpour, the likes of which no one had ever seen. They both ran to shelter themselves under some thick foliage, and there they stayed until the rain had stopped. However, when they were about to leave the shelter, they heard the roar of a tiger, at a distance of only a couple of metres. The foliage was very thick and dense and the tiger wouldn't be able to get through it to attack them. However, the tiger was almost at the entrance hole. If it happened to come in and find the two tribesmen there, they certainly wouldn't get out alive. Manute was getting restless. He wanted to get out of that tight hole and confront the tiger in open space where he could fully use his great hunting skills. Pontoma was gesturing at him to keep still and be quiet, but Manute, tired of being stuck with a coward, leapt out of the thicket, surprising the tiger. The tiger suffered a couple of deep wounds, but soon recovered and hurt Manute with two swipes of its paw throwing him to the ground. The tiger took the initiative and leapt upon Manute, but Manute's spear, in the hands of Pontoma, interrupted the tiger's attack. The tiger turned away, wounded but the spear moved as fast as a beam of light, and with in- credible precision, hurting animal again and again, until it fell to the ground, lifeless. Manute, shocked and bleeding freely from his injuries, witnessed all this while lying flat on his back on the ground. Never before had he seen anyone take on a tiger, and use the spear with such calmness and strength, as he had seen Pontoma do just now. Neither of them said a thing. Manute's grateful expression needed no words to be understood. Nor did they need words to know about Pontoma's wounded hand or the fact that they were leaving a tiger skin there in the forest. From that day on, people gradually remarked less on Manute's braveness. They thought may be he was less courageous than before. The strangest thing was that they now noticed that Manute's old spear was among Pontoma's things, But Manute just smiled and remembered the day he learned that true bravery lay not in seeking out danger, but in controlling one's fear when danger crosses your path. |
Which of the following can be the MOST APPROPRIATE TITLE for the passage/story?
Concept: undefined >> undefined
| The best man in the whole tribe is Manute the brave, everyone would say. You could see for yourself, at any time of the day, just how brave he was. He would jump to the ground from amazing heights, he would fight poisonous snakes, he would catch scorpions with his bare hands and could cut the palm of his own hand with a knife – without even a flinch. They said the exact opposite about Pontoma. No one had seen him catch even a monkey. One day, they happened upon each other in the forest, and Manute was showing Pontoma a coral snake he had just caught when there began a downpour, the likes of which no one had ever seen. They both ran to shelter themselves under some thick foliage, and there they stayed until the rain had stopped. However, when they were about to leave the shelter, they heard the roar of a tiger, at a distance of only a couple of metres. The foliage was very thick and dense and the tiger wouldn't be able to get through it to attack them. However, the tiger was almost at the entrance hole. If it happened to come in and find the two tribesmen there, they certainly wouldn't get out alive. Manute was getting restless. He wanted to get out of that tight hole and confront the tiger in open space where he could fully use his great hunting skills. Pontoma was gesturing at him to keep still and be quiet, but Manute, tired of being stuck with a coward, leapt out of the thicket, surprising the tiger. The tiger suffered a couple of deep wounds, but soon recovered and hurt Manute with two swipes of its paw throwing him to the ground. The tiger took the initiative and leapt upon Manute, but Manute's spear, in the hands of Pontoma, interrupted the tiger's attack. The tiger turned away, wounded. but the spear moved as fast as a beam of light, and with incredible precision, hurting animal again and again, until it fell to the ground, lifeless. Manute, shocked and bleeding freely from his injuries, witnessed all this while lying flat on his back on the ground. Never before had he seen anyone take on a tiger, and use the spear with such calmness and strength, as he had seen Pontoma do just now. Neither of them said a thing. Manute's grateful expression needed no words to be understood. Nor did they need words to know about Pontoma's wounded hand or the fact that they were leaving a tiger skin there in the forest. From that day on, people gradually remarked less on Manute's braveness. They thought may be he was less courageous than before. The strangest thing was that they now noticed that Manute's old spear was among Pontoma's things, But Manute just smiled and remembered the day he learned that true bravery lay not in seeking out danger, but in controlling one's fear when danger crosses your path. |
Which of the following characteristics CAN be attributed to Manute from the story?
- Energetic
- Evil
- Coward
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| We should recognise the indebtedness of the country to its farm families who toil to safeguard national food security. Loan waiver is the price we have to pay for the neglect of rural India over the past several decades. There has been a gradual decline in investment in key sectors related to agriculture such as infrastructure, marketing, post-harvest technology etc. The four crore farmers whose debt is to be relieved will be eligible for institutional credit for their cultivation expenses during Kharif 2008. The challenge is to prevent them from getting into the debt trap again. For this purpose the Central and various State governments should set up an Indebted Farmers' Support Consortium, comprising scientists, panchayat raj officials and others relevant to assist- ing farmers to improve the profitability and productivity of their farms in an environmentally sustainable manner. The smaller the farm the greater is the need for marketable surplus to reduce indebtedness. The Indebted Farmers' Support Consortium should aim to get all the four crore farmers all the benefits of the government schemes such as the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, Irrigation Benefit Programme and others. If this is done every farm family released from the debt trap should be able to produce at least an additional half tonne per hectare of food grains. This should help increase food production by about 20 million tonnes by 2008-10. At a time when global and national food stocks are dwindling and prices are rising, this will be a timely gain for our national food security. We need to ensure that the outcome of the debt waiver enhances farmers' income and production. The prevailing gap between potential and actual yields in the crops of rainfed areas such as pulses and oilseeds is over 200 percent even with the necessary technologies on the shelf. We are now importing without duty large quantities of pulses and oilseeds. If helped, farmers can produce these at a lower cost. Opportunities for assured and remunerative marketing are essential if loan waiver is not to become a recurring event leading to the destruction of the credit system. This is why the Minimum Support Price is necessary for all not just for a few crops which is the case at present. This is the single most effective step to make loan waivers history. There is another urgent step which needs to be taken. The loan waiver does not cover those who borrow from moneylenders. It will not be possible for the government to scrutinise the veracity of such private deals but steps can be taken such as giving them Smart Cards which will entitle them to essential inputs like seeds and fertilisers. The gram sabha can be entrusted with the task of identifying these farmers so that there is transparency in the process and elimination of the chances for falsification and corruption. Fear of occasional misuse should not come in the way of enabling millions of poor farmers who have borrowed from informal sources if we are to achieve the goal of four percent growth in agriculture. |
What is the likely impact of ensuring farmers benefit from government schemes?
- They can use the credit from these schemes to repay moneylenders.
- The government can control the price rise.
- Increased agricultural production.
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| We should recognise the indebtedness of the country to its farm families who toil to safeguard national food security. Loan waiver is the price we have to pay for the neglect of rural India over the past several decades. There has been a gradual decline in investment in key sectors related to agriculture such as infrastructure, marketing, post-harvest technology etc. The four crore farmers whose debt is to be relieved will be eligible for institutional credit for their cultivation expenses during Kharif 2008. The challenge is to prevent them from getting into the debt trap again. For this purpose the Central and various State governments should set up an Indebted Farmers' Support Consortium, comprising scientists, panchayat raj officials and others relevant to assist- ing farmers to improve the profitability and productivity of their farms in an environmentally sustainable manner. The smaller the farm the greater is the need for marketable surplus to reduce indebtedness. The Indebted Farmers' Support Consortium should aim to get all the four crore farmers all the benefits of the government schemes such as the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, Irrigation Benefit Programme and others. If this is done every farm family released from the debt trap should be able to produce at least an additional half tonne per hectare of food grains. This should help increase food production by about 20 million tonnes by 2008-10. At a time when global and national food stocks are dwindling and prices are rising, this will be a timely gain for our national food security. We need to ensure that the outcome of the debt waiver enhances farmers' income and production. The prevailing gap between potential and actual yields in the crops of rainfed areas such as pulses and oilseeds is over 200 percent even with the necessary technologies on the shelf. We are now importing without duty large quantities of pulses and oilseeds. If helped, farmers can produce these at a lower cost. Opportunities for assured and remunerative marketing are essential if loan waiver is not to become a recurring event leading to the destruction of the credit system. This is why the Minimum Support Price is necessary for all not just for a few crops which is the case at present. This is the single most effective step to make loan waivers history. There is another urgent step which needs to be taken. The loan waiver does not cover those who borrow from moneylenders. It will not be possible for the government to scrutinise the veracity of such private deals but steps can be taken such as giving them Smart Cards which will entitle them to essential inputs like seeds and fertilisers. The gram sabha can be entrusted with the task of identifying these farmers so that there is transparency in the process and elimination of the chances for falsification and corruption. Fear of occasional misuse should not come in the way of enabling millions of poor farmers who have borrowed from informal sources if we are to achieve the goal of four percent growth in agriculture. |
How can small farmers avoid debt?
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'At long last, I can say a few words of my own. I have never wanted to withhold anything, but until now it has not been constitutionally possible for me to speak. A few hours ago, I discharged my last duty as King and Emperor, and now that I have been succeeded by my brother, and Duke of York, my first words must be to declare my allegiance to him. This I do with all my heart. You know all reasons which have impelled me to renounce the throne. But I want you to understand that in making up my mind I did not forget the country or the empire, which, as Prince of Wales and lately as King, I have for twenty-five years tried to service. But you must believe me when I tell you that I have found it impossible to carry the heavy burden of responsibility and to discharge my duties as King as I would wish to do without the help and support of the woman I love. And I want you to know that the decision I have made has been mine and mine alone. This was a thing I had to judge entirely for myself. The other person most nearly concerned has tried up to the last to persuade me to take a different course. I have made this, the most serious decision of my life, only upon the single thought of what would, in the end, be best for all. This decision has been made less difficult to me by the sure knowledge that my brother, with his long training in the public affairs of this country and with his fine qualities, will be able to take my place forthwith without interruption or injury to the life and progress of the empire. And he has one matchless blessing, enjoyed by so many of you, and not bestowed on me- a happy home with his wife and children. During these hard days, I have been comforted by her Majesty, my mother, and by my family. The ministers of the Crown, and in particular, Mr. Baldwin, the Prime Minister, have always treated me with full consideration. There has never been any constitutional difference between me and them, between me and Parliament. Bred in the constitutional tradition by my father, I should never have allowed any such issue to arise. Ever since I was Prince of Wales, and later on when I occupied the throne, I have been treated with the greatest kindness by all classes of the people wherever I have lived or journeyed throughout the empire. For that, I am very grateful. I now quit altogether public affairs and I lay down my burden. It may be sometime before I return to my native land, but I shall always follow the fortunes of the British race and empire with profound interest, and if at any time in the future I can be found of service to His Majesty in a private section, I shall not fail. And now, we all have a new King. I wish him and you, his people, happiness, and prosperity with all my heart. God bless you all! God save the King!" |
Which blessing does the new king has but the old king didn't have?
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'At long last, I can say a few words of my own. I have never wanted to withhold anything, but until now it has not been constitutionally possible for me to speak. A few hours ago, I discharged my last duty as King and Emperor, and now that I have been succeeded by my brother, and Duke of York, my first words must be to declare my allegiance to him. This I do with all my heart. You know all reasons which have impelled me to renounce the throne. But I want you to understand that in making up my mind I did not forget the country or the empire, which, as Prince of Wales and lately as King, I have for twenty-five years tried to service. But you must believe me when I tell you that I have found it impossible to carry the heavy burden of responsibility and to discharge my duties as King as I would wish to do without the help and support of the woman I love. And I want you to know that the decision I have made has been mine and mine alone. This was a thing I had to judge entirely for myself. The other person most nearly concerned has tried up to the last to persuade me to take a different course. I have made this, the most serious decision of my life, only upon the single thought of what would, in the end, be best for all. This decision has been made less difficult to me by the sure knowledge that my brother, with his long training in the public affairs of this country and with his fine qualities, will be able to take my place forthwith without interruption or injury to the life and progress of the empire. And he has one matchless blessing, enjoyed by so many of you, and not bestowed on me- a happy home with his wife and children. During these hard days, I have been comforted by her Majesty, my mother, and by my family. The ministers of the Crown, and in particular, Mr. Baldwin, the Prime Minister, have always treated me with full consideration. There has never been any constitutional difference between me and them, between me and Parliament. Bred in the constitutional tradition by my father, I should never have allowed any such issue to arise. Ever since I was Prince of Wales, and later on when I occupied the throne, I have been treated with the greatest kindness by all classes of the people wherever I have lived or journeyed throughout the empire. For that, I am very grateful. I now quit altogether public affairs and I lay down my burden. It may be sometime before I return to my native land, but I shall always follow the fortunes of the British race and empire with profound interest, and if at any time in the future I can be found of service to His Majesty in a private section, I shall not fail. And now, we all have a new King. I wish him and you, his people, happiness, and prosperity with all my heart. God bless you all! God save the King!" |
To which country does the author belongs to?
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| We should recognise the indebtedness of the country to its farm families who toil to safeguard national food security. Loan waiver is the price we have to pay for the neglect of rural India over the past several decades. There has been a gradual decline in investment in key sectors related to agriculture such as infrastructure, marketing, post-harvest technology etc. The four crore farmers whose debt is to be relieved will be eligible for institutional credit for their cultivation expenses during Kharif 2008. The challenge is to prevent them from getting into the debt trap again. For this purpose the Central and various State governments should set up an Indebted Farmers' Support Consortium, comprising scientists, panchayat raj officials and others relevant to assist- ing farmers to improve the profitability and productivity of their farms in an environmentally sustainable manner. The smaller the farm the greater is the need for marketable surplus to reduce indebtedness. The Indebted Farmers' Support Consortium should aim to get all the four crore farmers all the benefits of the government schemes such as the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, Irrigation Benefit Programme and others. If this is done every farm family released from the debt trap should be able to produce at least an additional half tonne per hectare of food grains. This should help increase food production by about 20 million tonnes by 2008-10. At a time when global and national food stocks are dwindling and prices are rising, this will be a timely gain for our national food security. We need to ensure that the outcome of the debt waiver enhances farmers' income and production. The prevailing gap between potential and actual yields in the crops of rainfed areas such as pulses and oilseeds is over 200 percent even with the necessary technologies on the shelf. We are now importing without duty large quantities of pulses and oilseeds. If helped, farmers can produce these at a lower cost. Opportunities for assured and remunerative marketing are essential if loan waiver is not to become a recurring event leading to the destruction of the credit system. This is why the Minimum Support Price is necessary for all not just for a few crops which is the case at present. This is the single most effective step to make loan waivers history. There is another urgent step which needs to be taken. The loan waiver does not cover those who borrow from moneylenders. It will not be possible for the government to scrutinise the veracity of such private deals but steps can be taken such as giving them Smart Cards which will entitle them to essential inputs like seeds and fertilisers. The gram sabha can be entrusted with the task of identifying these farmers so that there is transparency in the process and elimination of the chances for falsification and corruption. Fear of occasional misuse should not come in the way of enabling millions of poor farmers who have borrowed from informal sources if we are to achieve the goal of four percent growth in agriculture. |
What is the objective of the Indebted Farmers' Support Consortium?
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'At long last, I can say a few words of my own. I have never wanted to withhold anything, but until now it has not been constitutionally possible for me to speak. A few hours ago, I discharged my last duty as King and Emperor, and now that I have been succeeded by my brother, and Duke of York, my first words must be to declare my allegiance to him. This I do with all my heart. You know all reasons which have impelled me to renounce the throne. But I want you to understand that in making up my mind I did not forget the country or the empire, which, as Prince of Wales and lately as King, I have for twenty-five years tried to service. But you must believe me when I tell you that I have found it impossible to carry the heavy burden of responsibility and to discharge my duties as King as I would wish to do without the help and support of the woman I love. And I want you to know that the decision I have made has been mine and mine alone. This was a thing I had to judge entirely for myself. The other person most nearly concerned has tried up to the last to persuade me to take a different course. I have made this, the most serious decision of my life, only upon the single thought of what would, in the end, be best for all. This decision has been made less difficult to me by the sure knowledge that my brother, with his long training in the public affairs of this country and with his fine qualities, will be able to take my place forthwith without interruption or injury to the life and progress of the empire. And he has one matchless blessing, enjoyed by so many of you, and not bestowed on me- a happy home with his wife and children. During these hard days, I have been comforted by her Majesty, my mother, and by my family. The ministers of the Crown, and in particular, Mr. Baldwin, the Prime Minister, have always treated me with full consideration. There has never been any constitutional difference between me and them, between me and Parliament. Bred in the constitutional tradition by my father, I should never have allowed any such issue to arise. Ever since I was Prince of Wales, and later on when I occupied the throne, I have been treated with the greatest kindness by all classes of the people wherever I have lived or journeyed throughout the empire. For that, I am very grateful. I now quit altogether public affairs and I lay down my burden. It may be sometime before I return to my native land, but I shall always follow the fortunes of the British race and empire with profound interest, and if at any time in the future I can be found of service to His Majesty in a private section, I shall not fail. And now, we all have a new King. I wish him and you, his people, happiness, and prosperity with all my heart. God bless you all! God save the King!" |
What does the author tells about the independence of his decision?
Concept: undefined >> undefined
| We should recognise the indebtedness of the country to its farm families who toil to safeguard national food security. Loan waiver is the price we have to pay for the neglect of rural India over the past several decades. There has been a gradual decline in investment in key sectors related to agriculture such as infrastructure, marketing, post-harvest technology etc. The four crore farmers whose debt is to be relieved will be eligible for institutional credit for their cultivation expenses during Kharif 2008. The challenge is to prevent them from getting into the debt trap again. For this purpose the Central and various State governments should set up an Indebted Farmers' Support Consortium, comprising scientists, panchayat raj officials and others relevant to assist- ing farmers to improve the profitability and productivity of their farms in an environmentally sustainable manner. The smaller the farm the greater is the need for marketable surplus to reduce indebtedness. The Indebted Farmers' Support Consortium should aim to get all the four crore farmers all the benefits of the government schemes such as the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, Irrigation Benefit Programme and others. If this is done every farm family released from the debt trap should be able to produce at least an additional half tonne per hectare of food grains. This should help increase food production by about 20 million tonnes by 2008-10. At a time when global and national food stocks are dwindling and prices are rising, this will be a timely gain for our national food security. We need to ensure that the outcome of the debt waiver enhances farmers' income and production. The prevailing gap between potential and actual yields in the crops of rainfed areas such as pulses and oilseeds is over 200 percent even with the necessary technologies on the shelf. We are now importing without duty large quantities of pulses and oilseeds. If helped, farmers can produce these at a lower cost. Opportunities for assured and remunerative marketing are essential if loan waiver is not to become a recurring event leading to the destruction of the credit system. This is why the Minimum Support Price is necessary for all not just for a few crops which is the case at present. This is the single most effective step to make loan waivers history. There is another urgent step which needs to be taken. The loan waiver does not cover those who borrow from moneylenders. It will not be possible for the government to scrutinise the veracity of such private deals but steps can be taken such as giving them Smart Cards which will entitle them to essential inputs like seeds and fertilisers. The gram sabha can be entrusted with the task of identifying these farmers so that there is transparency in the process and elimination of the chances for falsification and corruption. Fear of occasional misuse should not come in the way of enabling millions of poor farmers who have borrowed from informal sources if we are to achieve the goal of four percent growth in agriculture. |
What is the author's opinion of recurring loan waivers?
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| We should recognise the indebtedness of the country to its farm families who toil to safeguard national food security. Loan waiver is the price we have to pay for the neglect of rural India over the past several decades. There has been a gradual decline in investment in key sectors related to agriculture such as infrastructure, marketing, post-harvest technology etc. The four crore farmers whose debt is to be relieved will be eligible for institutional credit for their cultivation expenses during Kharif 2008. The challenge is to prevent them from getting into the debt trap again. For this purpose the Central and various State governments should set up an Indebted Farmers' Support Consortium, comprising scientists, panchayat raj officials and others relevant to assist- ing farmers to improve the profitability and productivity of their farms in an environmentally sustainable manner. The smaller the farm the greater is the need for marketable surplus to reduce indebtedness. The Indebted Farmers' Support Consortium should aim to get all the four crore farmers all the benefits of the government schemes such as the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, Irrigation Benefit Programme and others. If this is done every farm family released from the debt trap should be able to produce at least an additional half tonne per hectare of food grains. This should help increase food production by about 20 million tonnes by 2008-10. At a time when global and national food stocks are dwindling and prices are rising, this will be a timely gain for our national food security. We need to ensure that the outcome of the debt waiver enhances farmers' income and production. The prevailing gap between potential and actual yields in the crops of rainfed areas such as pulses and oilseeds is over 200 percent even with the necessary technologies on the shelf. We are now importing without duty large quantities of pulses and oilseeds. If helped, farmers can produce these at a lower cost. Opportunities for assured and remunerative marketing are essential if loan waiver is not to become a recurring event leading to the destruction of the credit system. This is why the Minimum Support Price is necessary for all not just for a few crops which is the case at present. This is the single most effective step to make loan waivers history. There is another urgent step which needs to be taken. The loan waiver does not cover those who borrow from moneylenders. It will not be possible for the government to scrutinise the veracity of such private deals but steps can be taken such as giving them Smart Cards which will entitle them to essential inputs like seeds and fertilisers. The gram sabha can be entrusted with the task of identifying these farmers so that there is transparency in the process and elimination of the chances for falsification and corruption. Fear of occasional misuse should not come in the way of enabling millions of poor farmers who have borrowed from informal sources if we are to achieve the goal of four percent growth in agriculture. |
Why is there a vast gap in actual and potential yields of crops in rainfed areas?
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I cried because I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet. I'm not sure about the giver of the quote in this title. I used to believe it to have been said by Shakespeare but when I searched Google to confirm, I found that quite probably, it could be given by some other significant personality too. Regardless of the individual who quoted, it's marvellous! And how true, is it not common between us humans? One more saying goes like 'today is the tomorrow that you dreamt about yesterday'. In all of our today's we keep running and running, madly-blindly for a better future. And when that future finally comes, we simply forget that we have always been waiting for this. Even if we remember, it's momentary. We immediately switch to thoughts about our upcoming future, attempting to attain more and more and more. Well, good thing, of course, we should always work hard and smart to do bigger and better things in life but bad is when we forget to cherish what we have already achieved. Some of us subconsciously do it so much that one can find them complaining and cribbing all the time. If I talk about myself, somehow even in the worst phase of my life, I had a vague flame of hope and positivity alive in my heart. Although it was striving to keep burning and wasn't very visible on the outside, still it existed. Thankfully, I have always had a habit of finding pleasure in small things in life. That combined with a sense of gratitude to the Almighty, has worked wonders. During that miserable phase of my life, whenever I used to sit on the window seat of a vehicle while traveling, I had a habit of getting lost in my world while having a look at the surroundings. Every time while doing that, my eyes fell upon someone genuinely poor and hungry, usually covered in torn clothes, I felt compassion. I say 'genuinely' because I feel that these days not every poor person is pitiable. You never know when they might be faking it. Also, I had read somewhere long back that offering money to every other beggar you come across, promotes the business of gangsters behind begging. So, I always refrain from giving money to such people, especially if otherwise young and healthy. But yes, knowingly or unknowingly always a prayer emerged from my heart that may God help the person if she deserved it. Besides, I used to feel thankful to Him for bestowing all the blessings on me that I had at that moment. Even if it meant just necessities, belongings, and my angel-hearted people around. Of course, as per human nature, I did wish for a better life and more to call mine but all in all, I felt contentment. And this always added to my zealful perseverance. Even at my worst, I used to believe in the saying 'there is always-always-always something to be thankful for'. Thus, positivity kept getting added to my life, visibly or non-visibly. And the outcome is here, in front of you. I continue to have the belief that I am completely content while giving my best to achieve more and more. Some of you might wonder, if I am still wishing to achieve more and more, how come I am content at the same time. Well, let me clarify. It just means, I sure am working on myself to be refined and groomed while looking up. But by saying I'm content, I mean I am not restless about the results. I am not worried about getting more. Most importantly, I am not comparing myself with anyone anymore since long back. I do cherish my feet and while I do work on getting a pair of shoes, I am not crying for them. I am thankful, I am content. |
When did the author felt gratitude in his life?
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