Class-X-Chapter-7 (First Flight)-"Glimpses of India" Part -3 "Tea from Assam"-By Arup Kumar Dutta

 Glimpses of India (Part 3) Tea from Assam

By Arup Kumar Dutta

Pranjol, a youngster from Assam, is Rajvir’s classmate at school in Delhi. Pranjol’s father is the manager of a tea-garden in Upper Assam and Pranjol has invited Rajvir to visit his home during the summer vacation

 

 "Tea from Assam"- Introduction

The lesson is about two friends- Pranjol and Rajvir who are travelling to Pranjol’s hometown Assam for the summer vacation. Assam is known as the ‘tea country’. It has the largest concentration of plantations in the world. During their journey they discuss about the various ‘legends’ that are known to have discovered tea.  The story tells us about the popularity of tea as a beverage.

 "Tea from Assam" -Summary

The story revolves around the infamous beverage ‘tea’ telling us more about its history and discovery. It begins from the scene where two friends, Pranjol and Rajvir are set to go to Assam, Pranjol’s hometown when a tea vendor asks them if they would like to have some freshly made tea. They buy two cups joining almost every other person in their compartment. From there, the journey begins and Pranjol starts reading his detective book while Rajvir decides to enjoy the scenic beauty. There were soft green paddy fields followed by tea bushes. Rajvir is very excited on seeing such large plantations of tea but Pranjol is unable to match the same level because he was born and brought up in Assam, famously known as the ‘Tea country’. Visiting there for the first time, Rajvir did a lot of study about how tea was discovered and that it dates back to 2700 B.C. According to what he read, it was first consumed in China and reached Europe in the 16th century, where it was mostly popular for it’s medicinal properties. There are numerous stories as to how it was discovered, one about a Chinese Emperor and the other about a Buddhist monk. The former liked the taste of it while the latter, used it to get rid of sleep. As they were having this discussion, they reached their destination where Pranjol’s parents had come to receive them and take them to their tea garden. On their way, they passed a cattle bridge and gave way to a truck filled with tea leaves which drew their attention to the fact that it was the second sprouting season. Rajvir, indeed did a lot of study before coming which impressed Pranjol’s father and he intended to learn a lot more.

 

Text &  Explanation

“CHAI-GARAM... garam-chai,” a vendor called out in a high-pitched voice. He came up to their window and asked,”Chai, sa’ab?” “Give us two cups,” Pranjol said. They sipped the steaming hot liquid. Almost everyone in their compartment was drinking tea too. “Do you know that over eighty crore cups of tea are drunk every day throughout the world?” Rajvir said. “Whew!” exclaimed Pranjol. “Tea really is very popular.”

 

Chai- Tea

Garam- hot

Sa’ab- Sahab or Sir

Steaming- extremely hot

Exclaimed- cry out suddenly in surprise

The scene is set on a train station where a tea vendor asks the two friends if they would like to buy some freshly-made hot tea. They decide to have two cups of tea joining almost everyone else in their compartment. With this, Pranjol highlights the fact that “almost eighty crore cups of tea are consumed everyday throughout the world” while Rajvir remains surprised on listening to it. Indeed, tea is a popular beverage all over the world.

 

The train pulled out of the station. Pranjol buried his nose in his detective book again. Rajvir too was an ardent fan of detective stories, but at the moment he was keener on looking at the beautiful scenery. It was green, green everywhere. Rajvir had never seen so much greenery before. Then the soft green paddy fields gave way to tea bushes. It was a magnificent view. Against the backdrop of densely wooded hills a sea of tea bushes stretched as far as the eye could see. Dwarfing the tiny tea plants were tall sturdy shade-trees and amidst the orderly rows of bushes busily moved doll-like figures.

 Paddy fields- a field where rice is grown

Backdrop- lie behind or beyond; serve as a background to

As far as eye could see- for a long distance until something is so far away and small it cannot be seen anymore

Dwarfing- cause to seem small or insignificant in comparison

Sturdy- strong

Amidst- in the middle of

As soon as the train started moving, Pranjol got engaged in reading his detective book. Both the friends were huge fans of detective books but Rajvir chose to look at the scenic beauty at the moment. There was greenery all around, something Rajvir had never seen before. After the green paddy fields, came tea plantations. As far as he was able to look, only tea bushes were visible so much so that the narrator compared it to a ‘sea’ of tea bushes. In the background, there were hills with dense forests. In between the tea plantations, there were orderly rows of tall and strong trees that were moving because of the wind. It was an amazing view.

 In the distance was an ugly building with smoke billowing out of tall chimneys. “Hey, a tea garden!” Rajvir cried excitedly. Pranjol, who had been born and brought up on a plantation, didn’t share Rajvir’s excitement. “Oh, this is tea country now,” he said. “Assam has the largest concentration of plantations in the world. You will see enough gardens to last you a lifetime!”

Billowing- moving or flowing outwards

Concentration- cluster

As the train was moving, next Rajvir saw was an ugly looking building with smoke coming out of it. It was a tea garden! Rajvir got excited but Pranjol who had seen all of it during his childhood didn’t match up to his friend’s level of enthusiasm. Pranjol tells him that they have entered Assam, which is known as the ‘tea country’. The state has the maximum number of tea plantations in the world.

“I have been reading as much as I could about tea,” Rajvir said. “No one really knows who discovered tea but there are many legends.” “What legends?” “Well, there’s the one about the Chinese emperor who always boiled water before drinking it. One day a few leaves of the twigs burning under the pot fell into the water giving it a delicious flavour. It is said they were tea leaves.”

Before visiting the Tea country, Rajvir read a lot about tea and how it was discovered. There were numerous theories and one of which was about a Chinese Emperor who had a habit of drinking boiled water. Once upon a time when he was boiling that water, few leaves fell into it and it tasted delicious. It is said that those leaves were tea leaves.

“Tell me another!” scoffed Pranjol. “We have an Indian legend too. Bodhidharma, an ancient Buddhist ascetic, cut off his eyelids because he felt sleepy during meditations. Ten tea plants grew out of the eyelids. The leaves of these plants when put in hot water and drunk banished sleep. “Tea was first drunk in China,” Rajvir added, “as far back as 2700 B.C.! In fact words such as tea, ‘chai’ and ‘chini’ are from Chinese. Tea came to Europe only in the sixteenth century and was drunk more as medicine than as beverage.”

 Ascetic- characterized by severe self-discipline and abstention from all forms of indulgence, typically for religious reasons.

Banished- get rid of

On being asked by Pranjol, Rajvir told another story about an Indian legend named Bodhidharma. He was a Buddhist monk who had cut his eyelids because he used to feel sleepy while meditating. Eventually, tea plants grew out of his eyelids which upon consuming after boiling with water helped in getting rid of sleep. Further, Rajvir highlighted a few facts that stated that tea dates back to 2700 B.C. and was first consumed in China. All such words such as ‘chai and ‘chini’ have originated from Chinese language. Tea was introduced to Europe quite late- in the sixteenth century where it was considered to have medicinal properties.

 

 

The train clattered into Mariani junction. The boys collected their luggage and pushed their way to the crowded platform. Pranjol’s parents were waiting for them. Soon they were driving towards Dhekiabari, the tea-garden managed by Pranjol’s father . An hour later the car veered sharply off the main road. They crossed a cattle-bridge and entered Dhekiabari Tea Estate.

Clattered- (loud noise made by the train brakes)

Veered- change direction

The train had stopped and the boys reached their destination where they gathered their luggage and de-boarded the train only to find a platform that was too crowded. Pranjol’s parents had come to receive them. After almost an hour, they reached Dhekiabari, Pranjol’s tea garden after taking a turn and making their way through a cattle-bridge.

On both sides of the gravel-road were acre upon acre of tea bushes, all neatly pruned to the same height. Groups of tea-pluckers, with bamboo baskets on their backs, wearing plastic aprons, were plucking the newly sprouted leaves.

Gravel- small, rounded stones often mixed with sand

Pruned- cut away from a tree

Their tea garden was stretched upon a vast area of land. All the bushes were cut to the same height and they had been taken care of. On the fields, tea pluckers were seen wearing an apron and carrying the bamboo baskets in order to pluck the freshly-sprouted leaves.

 

 

Pranjol’s father slowed down to allow a tractor, pulling a trailer-load of tea leaves, to pass. “This is the second-flush or sprouting period, isn’t it, Mr Barua?” Rajvir asked. “It lasts from May to July and yields the best tea.” “You seem to have done your homework before coming,” Pranjol’s father said in surprise. “Yes, Mr Barua,” Rajvir admitted. “But I hope to learn much more while I’m here.”

Sprouting period- when a plant sends out new growth (second harvest of tea leaves in a season)

On their way to the fields, Pranjol’s father gave way to a tractor that was loaded with tea leaves. On seeing this, Rajvir flaunts his knowledge by mentioning that this is the second sprouting period of the year that lasts from May to July and gives excellent yield. Pranjol’s father, who seems impressed, replies that he seems to have done a lot of research before coming. Pranjol, who was excited about learning more about the amazing beverage showed his intention for the same.

 Grammar Exercises

1. Look at these words: upkeep, downpour, undergo, dropout, walk-in. They are built up from a verb (keep, pour, go, drop, walk) and an adverb or a particle (up, down, under, out, in). Use these words appropriately in the sentences below. You may consult a dictionary.

1. A heavy __________ has been forecast due to low pressure in the Bay of Bengal.
2. Rakesh will __________ major surgery tomorrow morning.
3. My brother is responsible for the __________ of our family property.
4. The __________ rate for this accountancy course is very high.
5. She went to the Enterprise Company to attend a __________ interview.

Answers-

1. A heavy downpour has been forecast due to low pressure in the Bay of Bengal.
2. Rakesh will undergo major surgery tomorrow morning.
3. My brother is responsible for the upkeep of our family property.
4. The dropout rate for this accountancy course is very high.
5. She went to the Enterprise Company to attend a walk-in interview.

 

2. Now fill in the blanks in the sentences given below by combining the verb given in brackets with one of the words from the box as appropriate.

Over, by, through, out, up, down

1. The Army attempted unsuccessfully to __________ the Government. (throw)
2. Scientists are on the brink of a major __________ in cancer research. (break)
3. The State Government plans to build a __________ for Bhubaneswar to speed up traffic on the main highway. (pass)
4. Gautama’s__________ on life changed when he realised that the world is full of sorrow. (look)
5. Rakesh seemed unusually__________ after the game. (cast)

Answers-

1. The Army attempted unsuccessfully to overthrow the Government. (throw)
2. Scientists are on the brink of a major breakthrough in cancer research. (break)
3. The State Government plans to build a by-pass for Bhubaneswar to speed up traffic on the main highway. (pass)
4. Gautama’s outlook on life changed when he realised that the world is full of sorrow. (look)
5. Rakesh seemed unusually downcast after the game. (cast)

 

3. Think of suitable -ing or -ed adjectives to answer the following questions. You may also use words from those given above. How would you describe

1. a good detective serial on television?
2. a debate on your favourite topic ‘Homework Should Be Banned’?
3. how you feel when you stay indoors due to incessant rain?
4. how you feel when you open a present?
5. how you feel when you watch your favourite programme on television?
6. the look on your mother’s face as you waited in a queue?
7. how you feel when tracking a tiger in a tiger reserve forest?
8.  the story you have recently read, or a film you have seen?

Answers-

1. a good detective serial on television? Interesting
2. a debate on your favourite topic ‘Homework Should Be Banned’? Exciting
3. how you feel when you stay indoors due to incessant rain? Bored
4. how you feel when you open a present? Excited
5. how you feel when you watch your favourite programme on television? Interested
6. the look on your mother’s face as you waited in a queue? Tired
7. how you feel when tracking a tiger in a tiger reserve forest? Thrilled
8.  the story you have recently read, or a film you have seen? Boring

EXTRA  QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Extract Based Questions 

Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:

Question 1. ‘Chai garam… garam chai’ a vendor called out in a high pitched voice. He came up to their window and asked, ‘Chai, sa’ab’ ?

‘Give us two cups,’ Pranjol said.

They sipped the steaming hot liquid. Almost everyone in their compartment was drinking too.

‘Do you know that over 8,00,000,000 cups of tea are drunk every day all over the world’ ? Rajvir asked. 

(a) Who was speaking in a high pitched voice and for what ?

(b) What was ordered by Pranjol ?

(c) What information did Rajvir give ?

(d) Which word in the passage means the same as ‘chinked’ ?

Answer: (a) A tea vendor was speaking in a high pitched voice to attract customers from the train to buy hot tea.

(b) Pranjol ordered for two cups of tea.

(c) Rajvir told Pranjol that over 8,00,000,000 cups of tea are drunk every day all over the world.

(d) Sipped.

Question 2. It was a magnificent view. Against the backdrop of densely wooded hills, a sea of tea bushes stretched as far as the eye could see. Dwarfing the tiny tea plants were tall sturdy shade-trees and amidst the ordely rows of bushes busily moved doll-like figures. In the distance was an ugly building with smoke billowing out of tall chimneys. ‘Hey, a tea garden !’, Rajvir cried excitedly. 

(a) What have the tea plantations been compared to ?

(b) What are the doll like figures referred to here ?

(c) Why was Rajvir excited ?

(d) Which word in the passage means the same as ‘splendid’.

Answer: (a) Tea plantations have been compared to a sea of tea bushes.

(b) The doll like figures referred to here are the tea pluckers.

(c) Rajvir was excited because he had spotted tea garden.

(d) ‘Magnificient’.

Question 3. We have an Indian legend too. Bodhidharma, an ancient Buddhist ascetic, cut off his eyelids because he felt sleepy during meditations. Ten tea plants grew out of the eyelids. The leaves of these when put in hot water and drunk banished sleep.

‘Tea was first drunk in China’, Rajvir added, ‘as far back as 2700 B.C. In fact words such as tea, ‘chai’ and ‘chini’ are from Chinese. Tea came to Europe only in the sixteenth century and was drunk more as medicine than as beverage.’ 

(a) Why did the Buddhist ascetic cut off his eyelids ?

(b) How was tea used in Europe ?

(c) Which word in the passage means ‘drove away’ ?

(d) How many tea plants grew out of the eyelids ?

Answer: (a) The Buddhist ascetic cut off his eyelids to avoid being sleepy during his meditations.

(b) When tea was introduced in Europe, in the sixteenth century, it was drunk more as a medicine and less as a beverage.

(c) ‘banished’ means ‘drove away’.

(d) Ten tea plants

Question 4. ‘Tea was first drunk in China’, Rajveer added ‘as far back as 2700 B.C. In fact words such as tea, chai and chini are from Chinese. Tea came to Europe only in the sixteenth century and was drunk more as medicine than a beverage.’

(a) Where was tea first drunk ?

(b) Which language are the words ‘Chai’ and ‘Chini’ derived from ?

(c) When did tea come to Europe ?

(d) Who is the narrator in the passage ?

Answer: (a) Tea was first drunk in China in about 2700 BC.

(b) The words tea, chai and chini are derived from Chinese language.

(c) Tea came to Europe in the sixteenth century and was drunk more as a medicine than a beverage.

(d) Rajvir

Short Answer Type Questions 

Question 1. Why was Rajvir excited to see the tea gardens ? OR

What made Rajvir amazed in the way ? 

Answer: Rajvir found the view outside the train splendid and eye catching with so much of greenery. It was his first visit to Assam and he was fascinated by the sprawling tea gardens, spreading like a green sea of neatly pruned bushes and found it more interesting to watch, than reading his book on detectives.

Question 2. How does Rajvir describe the view from the train ? 

Answer: Rajvir describes the magnificent view of the landscape from the train window. It was a sea of tea bushes, fleeting against the backdrop of densely wooded hills. At odd intervals, there were tall shade-tree and one could see women tea-pluckers picking tea leaves, who appeared to be doll like figures.

Question 3. What information was given by Pranjol’s father to Rajvir about Assam Tea State ? 

Answer: Pranjol’s father agreed to Rajvir’s information about it being the second-flush or sprouting period.

Question 4. What legends are associated with the origin of tea? 

Answer: Chinese legend is that once a few leaves of the twigs burning under the pot fell into the water and gave a delicious flavour : According to the Indian legend, Bodhidharma cut off his eyelids because he felt sleepy during meditation and threw on the earth. Ten tea plants which grew out of the eyelids, when boiled in water and drunk it banished his sleep.

Question 5. What is the Chinese legend regarding tea ? 

Answer: The Chinese legend about tea is that there was a Chinese emperor who had the habit of boiling water before drinking it. Once, a few twigs of the leaves burning under the pot fell into the water and gave it a delicious flavour. Those leaves were tea leaves.

Question 6. How did Rajvir describe, the tea garden at Dhekiabari ? 

Answer: Rajvir’s visit to Dhekiabari, where Pranjol’s father worked as a manager, was a novel experience and he found it extremely fascinating. As they proceeded along the gravel road, with neatly pruned sea of tea bushes spreading over acres of land, he saw groups of tea-workers, wearing plastic aprons and baskets of bamboo sticks on their back, picking newly sprouted tea leaves.

Question 7. How are the tea-pluckers different from the other farm labourers’ ? 

 Answer: Tea pluckers are different from the other farm labourers as the tea pluckers are hired labourers whereas the farm labourers can be hired or can be the owners of the land. Tea pluckers just pluck leaves whereas farm labourers go through the whole process, i.e., from sowing to harvesting.

Question 8. Describe the magnificent views of tea estate with reference to the lesson “Tea from Assam”. 

 Answer: The view around the tree estate was magnificent. There was greenery all round. Against the backdrop of densely wooded hills, a sea of tea bushes stretched as far as the eye could see.

Question 9. Where were Rajvir and Pranjol going and why?

Answer: Rajvir and Pranjol were going to Assam as Pranjol had invited Rajvir to spend summer vacation there.

Question 10. ‘This is a tea country now’. Explain this with reference to Assam.    [CBSE 2013]

Answer: Assam has the world’s largest concentration of tea plantations in the world. A large number of tea gardens can be found there. Most of the tea grown in Assam is supplied all over the world.

.

 

Long Answer Type Questions (100-120 words )

Question 1. Rajvir seemed to have a lot of information about tea. What all does he tell ? What character trait about him is revealed ? Is it essential for children ?

Answer: Rajvir had been invited to spend his vacations with his classmate Pranjol whose father was the manager of a tea estate in Assam. He was quite excited about the trip and had gathered considerable amount of information about where tea originated and how it became such a popular beverage. He informs that about 50 crore cups of tea are consumed daily and that the name tea itself has originated from Chinese. He narrates two popular legends about the origin of tea.

Rajvir exhibits an important value trait, that is the pre-requisite to gain knowledge-curiosity and eagerness to know. Moreover, he is not a passive learner but is proactive in collecting prior information to any real experience. He likes to do his homework thoroughly before going to a place. This is something very appreciable and children should develop this habit of finding out about the place they are going to visit. These are extremely desirable traits for all learners.

Question 2. What information did Rajvir share with Pranjol and his father ?

Answer: Rajvir had a lot of information about tea. He told Pranjol that though there are many legends about it, no one actually knows about the origin of it. One Chinese legend says that it was accidentally discovered by a Chinese Emperor. Another legend, which is Indian, says that it was discovered by Bodhidharma. The legend says that he cut off his eyelids as he felt sleepiness during meditation and tea plants grew out of them to banish sleep when they were drunk. He also knew that tea was first drunk in China in 2700 B.C. and it reached Europe in the sixteenth century as a medicine. He also informed Pranjol that the words tea, chai and chini are Chinese. He even had knowledge about the sprouting season on the second-flush which is the best in the world.

Question 3. What scenery did Rajvir notice while sitting in the train ? 

Answer:  Rajvir could see green and magnificent view while sitting in the train. He could also see densely wooded hills accompanied by a sea of tea bushes. He could also view doll like figures with bamboo baskets moving every where. He even saw an ugly building with tall chimneys.

Question 4. What details do you gather about tea from the lesson, ‘Tea from Assam’ ? 

Answer: Tea was first drunk in China. Even the words ‘Chai’ and ‘Chini’ are from Chinese. It goes back to 2700 B.C. In the 16th century tea came to Europe. There are unlimited tea fields in Assam. Unlike the other farms labourers, who might never carry the harvest on their backs, the tea pluckers, i.e., the groups of women were there hanging bamboo baskets on their backs. They pluck the newly grown fresh tea leaves from the plants and store them in their baskets. They also wear plastic apron.

.Question 5. According to the text, Assam is said to be ‘tea country’. Do you believe that Assam has some of the best plantations in the world that makes it a unique country?

Answer: In India, some of the best plantations like tea and coffee are grown in huge quantities. India is also a home to many spices like haldi and while Assam is home to tea, Coorg is home to coffee. Others which are grown exclusively in India and exported to various countries. These plantations make India a unique country which has not just traditional spices and beverage plants growing within it but also follows traditional agricultural practices.