Verghese Kurien- I Too Had A Dream

(iii) Complete the following sentence with the correct option from those given below. Based on the information in the extract, we can infer that the grandmother had all of the following traits EXCEPT A. encouraging B. understanding C. comforting D. thoughtful Answer: C. Comforting (iv) Select the phrase that conveys— ‘showed grace under pressure and carried out my duties with dignity and confidence’. Answer: “shouldered my responsibilities with poise” II. Answer the following questions. Question 1. What event does Dr. Kurien refer to when he mentions receiving the Padma Vibhushan? Answer: Dr. Kurien refers to the occasion when he was honored with the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award, in recognition of his significant contributions to the White Revolution and to the development of India’s dairy industry. It symbolizes the national acknowledgment of his dedication to rural upliftment and cooperative development. Question 2. How did Dr. Kurien’s decision to join the cooperative in Anand affect his life? Answer: Dr. Kurien’s decision to join the cooperative in Anand transformed his life completely. Though initially reluctant, he chose to stay and support the dairy farmers. This decision led him to pioneer the cooperative dairy movement, establish Amul, and spearhead the White Revolution. His life became a mission to empower rural India, and he became a national icon for selfless service and innovation in agriculture. Question 3. Dr. Kurien’s decision to work in Anand reveals his values and sense of duty. Explain. Answer: Dr. Kurien’s choice to stay in Anand, rather than pursue a more lucrative or comfortable career, reveals his deep sense of responsibility, commitment to social justice, and empathy for farmers. Despite being a government employee posted elsewhere, he decided to serve the rural community, reflecting his selflessness, patriotism, and belief in grassroots development. Question 4 Why did Dr. Kurien write the letter to his grandson? Answer: Dr. Kurien wrote the letter to his grandson to share the wisdom of his life experiences and to inspire the younger generation. He wanted to convey important lessons about purpose, service, and the importance of making meaningful choices. The letter is a heartfelt attempt to pass on values such as hard work, integrity, and compassion. Question 5. According to Dr. Kurien “life is a privilege and it is wrong to waste it”. What is your opinion on this? Answer: I agree with Dr. Kurien. Life offers each of us a chance to make a difference, however small. It is a gift filled with opportunities to grow, serve, and leave a positive mark. Wasting it on selfish pursuits or indifference not only limits our own potential but also denies society the benefits of our contributions. Living purposefully, like Dr. Kurien did, brings fulfilment and uplifts others. Question 6. What message does Dr. Kurien want to convey about selfless service and its long-term impact on the society? Answer: Dr. Kurien emphasizes that selfless service has the power to bring about lasting transformation. By dedicating his life to rural India, he demonstrated that helping others can create stronger communities, economic empowerment, and social justice. His work proved that when individuals act with integrity and vision, the impact can resonate for generations . Replace the underlined words in each sentence with the correct synonym from the box. You may refer to a dictionary. 1. He received the award in a magnificent ceremony. 2. I felt a fleeting joy when I received the appreciation for my song. 3. With today’s instant communication, we can share information across the world in seconds. 4. Our school focuses on the core values— collaboration, innovation, and unity. 5. My teacher’s advice on time management is a valuable reminder of the importance of planning. 6. Reading books and listening to music can give abiding pleasure that will last forever. Answer: 1. Magnificent → Splendid 2. Fleeting → Momentary 3. Instant → Swift 4. Core → Essential 5. Valuable → Useful 6. Abiding → Lifelong II. Match the expressions from the text in Column 1 with their meanings in Column 2. Answer: Column 1 Column 2 1. in all humility (iv) being humble and having no feeling of self importance 2. hold their heads high (vi) be confident and have a positive feeling 3. to be quite honest (i) to speak in a truthful way 4. to the best of your ability (ii) doing something using all your skills, talents, and knowledge 5. looked at in awe (iii) observed with great respect and wonder 6. somewhere deep down (v) in the innermost part of the self II. A to the passage once again and state whether the statements given below are True or False: 1. Evelyn Glennie became deaf suddenly. -False 2. Her headmistress ignored the signs of her hearing loss. -False 3. Ron Forbes was a percussionist who helped Evelyn. -True 4. Evelyn used her skin and bones to sense music. -True 5. She gave up on music after her diagnosis. -False III. Answer the following questions in one or two words: 1. How did Evelyn turn her disability into strength? Ans. by sensing vibrations 2. What role did Ron Forbes play in her life? Ans. mentor. 3. What lessons can we learn from Evelyn's story about how to treat others who have different abilities or challenges? Ans. to respect them *Long Answer Questions 1.How does Dr. Kurien's life manifest the idea that unanticipated decisions can ultimately lead to transformative outcome?(CBQ) Ans. Dr. Kurien could have opted for a career which would have brought him comfort, a life of less struggle story shows that when unanticipated decisions are met with dedication, adaptability, and a willingness to serve, it can lead to an impact far greater originally envisioned by anyone. Thus, Dr. Kurien's life becomes a powerful example of how unplanned paths can open the door to extraordinary and society-changing achievements. 3. What do we understand about the bond shared by Dr. Kurien with Siddharth from the jottings? Ans. The jottings reflect Dr. Kurien's affectionate and thoughtful relation with Siddharth. His letter does not simply offer advice but also indicates both care and responsibility towards him. He wants Siddharth to live a purposeful life, earn accolades on his own merit and become a wise man. This shows that they shared an emotionally close connection built on love, respect and affection. On the basis of this understanding, Dr. Kurien feels appropriate to share his experiences to guide him be a worthy human being. (ii) Complete the following sentence with the correct option from those given below: According to the writer, his achievements are because of (A) unwavering support from government officials (B) his personal purpose (C) the values inherited from family and mentors (D) the fame he gained due to work Ans. (C) the values inherited from family and mentors (iii) Would it be appropriate to call Dr. Kurien as a 'man of integrity'? Justify.(CBQ) Ans. The word 'integrity' means being honest. Yes, it would be appropriate to call Dr. Kurien as a 'man of integrity' as he believed that if one was honest to oneself, then it did not take much effort to be honest with others. He has earned this reputation with his selfless approach and by acknowledging the collaborative efforts of the society. (iv) Why do you think the writer lays emphasis on values in his life?(CBQ). Ans. The writer consistently adhered to the values like integrity, hard work, importance to societal benefit, patriotism etc. He had inherited these from his parents, elders and from his mentor, Tribhuvandas Patel. He lays emphasis on them as he believes that his contribution for the benefit of the farmers had been possible only because of it.