Glimpses of India

Part 1 – A Baker from Goa

By Lucio Rodrigues

Lucio Rodrigues was a great Konkani essayist (1916-73)

Theme

The story depicts the passing on of tradition of eating breads from one generation to another. Even today breads have a very important place in every function of goan village.

It illustrates the love and respect of one culture for another in Indian societies and how an alien culture easily gets mingle up and adopted by Indians.

Introduction

‘A Baker from Goa’  depicts the importance of a baker in the Goan culture since  Portuguese ruled over the city of Goa.

 The Portuguese may have left but the bread-makers continue to have an important status in goan society.

In this story, the author recalls his childhood memories where they used to enjoys the fresh loaves of breads and Would  enthusiastically run to choose the bangles  as soon as they woke up without even brushing their teeth.

Baker From Goa Summary –

In the beginning, the narrator’s elders recalling  the time since the  Portuguese ruled over Goa and importance of bakers that is still prevalent in their villages even after the Portuguese have left as their profession is  continued by their children.

 The same jingling thud of bamboo sticks are still heard in their villages that used to wake the narrator and his friends in the morning  

to run towards the paders and choose the sweetest bread without even brushing their teeth

Breads still bear an important place in the culture and traditions of Goa as Bol or sweet bread is an integral of marriage gifts, cakes and Bolinhas or coconut cookies are eaten at every festival and the lady of the house prepares sandwiches at her daughter’s engagement.

Bakery is still a profitable business through which bakers and their family lead a prosperous life in the community and are known for their jackfruit appearance.

During the Portuguese rules bakers used to wear ‘kabai’ a unique frock of knee length.

but during the narrator’s childhood days, they wore a shirt and trousers of length slightly shorter than the usual ones.

Explanation

OUR elders are often heard reminiscing nostalgically about those good old Portuguese days, the Portuguese and their famous loaves of bread. Those eaters of loaves might have vanished but the makers are still there. We still have amongst us the mixers, the moulders and those who bake the loaves. Those age-old, time-tested furnaces still exist. The fire in the furnaces has not yet been extinguished. The thud and jingle of the traditional baker’s bamboo, heralding his arrival in the morning, can still be heard in some places. Maybe the father is not alive but the son still carries on the family profession. These bakers are, even today, known as pader in Goa.

Word meanings

• Reminiscing nostalgically- thinking fondly of the past
• Loaves- (plural form of loaf) bread that is shaped and baked in a single piece and can be sliced for eating
• Vanished- disappear suddenly and completely
• Moulders- a person who moulds dough into a shape
• Furnaces- an enclosed structure in which materials can be heated to very high temperatures
• Extinguished- cause a fire to cease to burn
• Heralding- announcing
  Pader- word for baker in Portuguese language

The narrator tells how fondly their elders talk about their olden days when Portuguese were there in Goa. Today although, most of them have gone but their tradition of making bread is still prevalent in the many goan villages  as their profession is continued by their children. Their moulders , mixers and time tested Furnace still exist in the villages since the bakers still bake breads their and the same thud and jingling sounds can be heard.

During our childhood in Goa, the baker used to be our friend, companion and guide. He used to come at least twice a day. Once, when he set out in the morning on his selling round, and then again, when he returned after emptying his huge basket. The jingling thud of his bamboo woke us up from sleep and we ran to meet and greet him. Why was it so? Was it for the love of the loaf? Not at all. The loaves were bought by some Paskine or Bastine, the maid-servant of the house! What we longed for were those bread-bangles which we chose carefully. Sometimes it was sweet bread of special make.
The narrator recalls his childhood days when he  would respect the baker as their friend , guide and companion. The baker used to come twice a day , once at the time of setting out and second at the time of returning from his selling round. The narrator and his friends would wake up in the morning by listening the thud and jingling sound of the baking furnaces and the bakers selling bread door to door. In the morning they would rush to meet and greet the bakers at the door not to purchase the bread loaves as it was done by the maid servants but to choose the sweetest and delicious bread bangles or Kankon.

 The baker made his musical entry on the scene with the ‘jhang, jhang’ sound of his specially made bamboo staff. One hand supported the basket on his head and the other banged the bamboo on the ground. He would greet the lady of the house with “Good morning” and then place his basket on the vertical bamboo. We kids would be pushed aside with a mild rebuke and the loaves would be delivered to the servant. But we would not give up. We would climb a bench or the parapet and peep into the basket, somehow. I can still recall the typical fragrance of those loaves. Loaves for the elders and the bangles for the children. Then we did not even care to brush our teeth or wash our mouths properly. And why should we Who would take the trouble of plucking the mango-leaf for the toothbrush? And why was it necessary at all? The tiger never brushed hŕis teeth. Hot tea could wash and clean up everything so nicely, after all!

• staff – stick
• Rebuke- an expression of disapproval; a scolding
• Fragrance- a pleasant, sweet smell
• Parapet- railing, a low protective wall
• bangles- here, refers to the bread in the shape of a bangle called ‘Kankon’

The baker would arrive in the morning making a unique musical sound using bamboo sticks. The narrator and his companion used to get too much excited to rush towards the baker and would usually get scolded for their haste of getting bread. However, they didn’t give up and try to peep in the basket of bread by climbing upon the bench or lower walls. Narrator says that he can still recall the sweet fragrance of the freshly made delicious bread and how he longed to have the bread bangles that they even didn’t care brushing their teeth. Since they had to make a lot of efforts of plucking mango stem to brush their teeth it seemed to them an unnecessary task as their teeth got cleaned by the hot tea. Moreover, according to them strong animals like tiger never brushed their teeth.

Marriage gifts are meaningless without the sweet bread known as the bol, just as a party or a feast loses its charm without bread. Not enough can be said to show how important a baker can be for a village. The lady of the house must prepare sandwiches on the occasion of her daughter’s engagement. Cakes and bolinhas are a must for Christmas as well as other festivals. Thus, the presence of the baker’s furnace in the village is absolutely essential.

• Feast- a large meal, typically a celebratory one
• bolinhas – another name for coconut cookies

The coconut cookies called Bolinhas and bread loaves were an integral part of each and every occasion like marriages of the Goan villages. Thus, presence of bakers and their furnaces were very essential in the Goan villages  for sweet breads, sandwiches at engagement parties prepared by the mother of the brides and cake and bolinhas on Christmas eve and other occasions.

The baker or bread-seller of those days had a peculiar dress known as the kabai. It was a singlepiece long frock reaching down to the knees. In our childhood we saw bakers wearing a shirt and trousers which were shorter than full-length ones and longer than half pants. Even today, anyone who wears a half pant which reaches just below the knees invites the comment that he is dressed like a pader!

A strange single piece long frock called kabai was worn by those bakers or bread sellers during the reign of Portuguese. Later they started wearing shirt and trousers slightly longer than half pants as it was seen by the narrator in his childhood.  The narrator says that even today if someone found wearing such trousers are commented the he is dressed like a pader or baker.

The baker usually collected his bills at the end of the month. Monthly accounts used to be recorded on some wall in pencil. Baking was indeed a profitable profession in the old days. The baker and his family never starved. He, his family and his servants always looked happy and prosperous. Their plump physique was an open testimony to this. Even today any person with a jackfruit-like physical appearance is easily compared to a baker.

• Plump physique- pleasantly fat body
• Open testimony- public statement about a character or quality

The bakers used to keep records of the sale by simply writing on the walls and collect money at the end. The narrator says that baking was certainly a profitable profession as the baker, his  family and even servants used to lead a happy and prosperous life. It could be judge through their healthy and well build up body. Even today a person having such health and plumps is compared with a baker

Question Answers

 Q1. What are the elders in Goa nostalgic about?
Ans. The elders in Goa are often fond of telling about their olden days and famous sweet bread loaves since the Portuguese ruled over Goa. They used to say that although Portuguese have left but their tradition of making bread still exists on the goan village.

Q2. Is bread-making still popular in Goa? How do you know?

Ans.Yes, bread-making is still popular in the city of goa. It is evident from the existence of time-tested furnaces, mixers and moulders. The legacy of bakers is being continued by their sons. You will find a bakery in every Goan village as bread is an important part of the Goan culture.

Q3. What is the baker called?
Ans. The baker is referred to as ‘Pader’ in the city of Goa.

Q4. When would the baker come everyday? Why did the children run to meet him?
Ans. The baker would come twice every day during the narrator’s childhood days. Once in the morning to deliver the loaves of bread and secondly, in the evening on his return after selling his stock. The children would go running to him to take the special bread bangles he had made for them.

Q5. What did the bakers wear:

1. In the Portuguese days?
2. When the author was young?

Ans.
(i) In the Portuguese days, the bakers wore a unique knee-length frock dress typically known as ‘kabai’.
(ii) In the narrator’s childhood days, he had seen them wearing shirts and shorter than usual pants.

Q6. Who invites the comment — “he is dressed like a pader”? Why?
Ans. During the narrator’s childhood days, the bakers had a peculiar dress. They wore shirts and shorter than usual pants. Thus, if someone is seen wearing pants of this much length, they invite the comment – “he is dressed like a pader”.

Q7. Where were the monthly accounts of the baker recorded?
Ans. The monthly accounts of the baker were recorded on some wall with a pencil.

Q8. What does a ‘jackfruit-like appearance’ mean?
Ans. ‘Jackfruit-like appearance’ means a well-built or plump physique, similar to a jackfruit. In those days, bakers had plump physique because baking was a profitable profession. His family and servants never starved and were prosperous.

Q9. Is bread an important part of Goan life? How do you know this?
Ans. Bread is indeed an important part of the goan village as it is evident from the existence of time tested bread making furnaces and the presence and demand of bread in each and every occasion like marriages, engagement parties and Christmas.

Glimpses of India Part 2 – Coorg

By Lokesh Abrol

Introduction

The lesson illustrates heavenly beauty insight of the smallest district of Karnataka, surrounded by beautiful Brahmagiri hills, islands and Tibetan settlements and its people.

 The place receives enough rain during monsoon and has breath taking weather throughout the year. It is full of forest and greenery all over with variety of animals and plants.

The people of Coorg are known for their bravery and has a privilege of having gun without license.

Summary

The writer has depicted the breath taking  beauty of the Indian  hill station of Coorg located in the western ghats in the state of Karnataka. It is located midway between Bengalore and Mangalore and is famous for coffee plantations and spices.

The 30 percent of whole area is covered with rainforests.

The Coorgi men are brave warriors who are known as the   Greek and Arabic by their origin and their ancestors were from the soldiers of Alexander’s army which is evident in their local dress kuppia which is similar to the Arab garment Kuffia. These people have the privileges to keep firearms without a licence due to their honesty and bravery.

The river Kaveri originates from Coorg in which the fish named Mahaseer is found  in abundance Many animals and birds like kingfisher, langur, squirrels and elephants can be seen along the river. Tourists relax in the breath taking atmosphere and also enjoy adventure sports like river rafting, canoeing, rappelling, mountain biking, rock climbing and trekking. While trekking on the nature trails, animals like Macaques, Malabar squirrels, langurs and slender loris can be spotted on the trees. The major tourist attractions are Brahmagiri hills, Nisargdham island and Bylakuppe Tibetan settlements. Coorg gives visitors a feel of India’s diverse cultures.

Explanation

MIDWAY between Mysore and the coastal town of Mangalore sits a piece of heaven that must have drifted from the kingdom of god. This land of rolling hills is inhabited by a proud race of martial men, beautiful women and wild creatures.

Coorg, or Kodagu, the smallest district of Karnataka, is home to evergreen rainforests, spices and coffee plantations. Evergreen rainforests cover thirty percent of this district. During the monsoons, it pours enough to keep many visitors away. The season of joy commences from September and continues till March. The weather is perfect, with some showers thrown in for good measure. The air breathes of invigorating coffee. Coffee estates and colonial bungalows stand tucked under tree canopies in prime corners.

Word meanings

Drifted from- been carried along gently by hair

Martial- having to do with war

Canopies- roof-like coverings made of trees that form a shelter
Prime- here, best
Invigorating- strong (here)

A beautiful place of rolling hills ‘Coorg’ lies between Mysore and coastal town of Mangalore.  It seems to be carried from heaven and is inhabited by a proud race of martial men, beautiful women and wild creatures.

This place is the smallest district of Karnataka and is covered with thirty percent of its total area. Main crops grown here are coffee and spices.  In monsoon it receives heavy rainfall and is not convenient to visit.

The season of tourism occurs between September to March as during this time the weather is perfect with required amount of rainfall. The air is filled with the aroma of coffee due to coffee estates in wide range. The bungalow of the time when India was the colony of British time, can bee seen under the shelter of big trees.

The fiercely independent people of Coorg are possibly of Greek or Arabic descent. As one story goes, a part of Alexander’s army moved south along the coast and settled here when return became impractical. These people married amongst the locals and their culture is apparent in the martial traditions, marriage and religious rites, which are distinct from the Hindu mainstream. The theory of Arab origin draws support from the long, black coat with an embroidered waist-belt worn by the Kodavus. Known as kuppia, it resembles the kuffia worn by the Arabs and the Kurds.

Word meanings

• Mainstream- a tradition which most people follow
• Tales of Valour- stories of courage and bravery, usually in a war
•  Descent- origin

It is believed that this voilent and brave community belongs to Arab or Greek as according to one story a part of Alexander’s army settled here while moving toward southern coast.  Later on, they married the locals. Their tradition is quite different from that of Hindus which is evident in their marriages and religious functions and in their local dresses kovadu or kuppia which is quite similar to that of Arabic known as kuffia.

Coorgi homes have a tradition of hospitality, and they are more than willing to recount numerous tales of valour related to their sons and fathers. The Coorg Regiment is one of the most decorated in the Indian Army, and the first Chief of the Indian Army, General Cariappa, was a Coorgi. Even now, Kodavus are the only people in India permitted to carry firearms without a licence.

Word meanings

Most decorated- having received the maximum number of awards for bravery in a war

Coorg people are very hospitable and  always willing to tell the stories of their courageous ancestors in the battles.

In Indian army, Coorg regiment is one of the most decorated one.

The first chief of the Indian Army named General Cariappa belonged to Coorg. These people are permitted to carry firearms without license unlike others. This shows that the Coorgis are reliable too

The river, Kaveri, obtains its water from the hills and forests of Coorg. Mahaseer — a large freshwater fish — abound in these waters. Kingfishers dive for their catch, while squirrels and langurs drop partially eaten fruit for the mischief of enjoying the splash and the ripple effect in the clear water. Elephants enjoy being bathed and scrubbed in the river by their mahouts

The most laidback individuals become converts to the life of high-energy adventure with river rafting, canoeing, rappelling, rock climbing and mountain biking. Numerous walking trails in this region are a favourite with trekkers.

Word meanings

Laidback-relaxed, not in a hurry
Rafting- travelling in a river in a raft (a floating platform made by tying planks together)
Canoeing- travelling in a river in a canoe (a large, narrow boat)
Rappelling- going down a cliff by sliding down a rope
Trails- paths created by walking

Word meanings

Mischief- playful behaviour
Ripple effect- a small wave or series of waves on the surface of water, especially as caused by a slight breeze or an object dropping into it
Mahouts- a person who works with, rides, and tends an elephant

River Kaveri which is abundant in a Mahaseer, a fresh water fish originates from the hills and forests of Coorg.   The river bank is usually spotted with the different activities of animals and birds. Kingfishers tries to catch the fish. Squirrels and langurs drop partially eaten fruit to enjoy the splash of water in the river , whereas elephants   enjoy bathing in the river. Not only animals but the humans  are also provided with a large number of adventures like rafting, canoeing, rappelling, rock climbing and mountain biking. Numerous walking path in this region are a favourite with trekkers.

Birds, bees and butterflies are there to give you company. Macaques, Malabar squirrels, langurs and slender loris keep a watchful eye from the tree canopy. I do, however, prefer to step aside for wild elephants.

One  can spot a large no. Of animals while walking in the forests. Birds, bees and butterflies fly around  a person walking  on the tracks of the forest while squirrels and langurs can be seen   peeping through the clumps  of  trees. Wild elephants can also be found in Coorg.

The climb to the Brahmagiri hills brings you into a panoramic view of the entire misty landscape of Coorg. A walk across the rope bridge leads to the sixty-four-acre island of Nisargadhama. Running into Buddhist monks from India’s largest Tibetan settlement, at nearby Bylakuppe, is a bonus. The monks, in red, ochre and yellow robes, are amongst the many surprises that wait to be discovered by visitors searching for the heart and soul of India, right here in Coorg.

• Panoramic view- a view of a wide area of land

One can have a view of a wide area of Coorg by climbing the top of Brahmagiri hills. Across the  rope bridge, there is a 64 acres island of Nisargadhama. The area known as Bylakuppe found in Coorg, is India’s largest Buddhist monks settlements. Thus,

Coorg  also serves as a place where one can get spiritual satisfaction among the Monks who wear a simple robe if red , ochre and yellow color.

Glimpses of India Part 2 Coorg Question Answers

Q1. Where is Coorg?
Ans. Coorg , the smallest district of Karnataka lies between  Mysore and the coastal city of Mangalore.

Q2. What is the story about the Kodavu people’s descent?

Ans. There are many stories of the origin of Kodavus, according to one of them  Kodavus are of either Greek or Arabic descent as a part of Alexander’s army could not return to its homeland and so, settled there. As the traditional dress of the Kodavus, Kuppia is similar to the dress of the Arabs and Kurds, the Kuffia, it is said that probably the Kodavus are descendants of the Arabs.

Q3. What are some of the things you now know about

The people of Coorg?

Ans. People of Coorg are honest and brave warriors who are said  to be the descendants of the Greeks or the Arabs which even evident through their dressing style. They are independent and ferocious. They are the bravest soldiers in the Indian Army. They  are known for their hospitality as well.  Their tradition and culture is very different from that of Hinduism.

The main crop of Coorg?

Ans. Coffee is the main crop of Coorg. Coffee estates with colonial bungalows are abundant and even provide homestays for visitors to experience the Coorgi way of life.

The sports it offers to tourists?

Ans. A large no. Of adventurous activities are offered to tourists like river rafting, canoeing, rappelling, rock climbing and mountain biking. Trekking is also one of the famous activities.

The animals you are likely to see in Coorg?

Ans. Fishes like Mahaseer are found in the waters of the river Kaveri. Birds like Kingfisher and other animals like squirrels, langurs, butterflies, bees accompany you in this area while wild elephants can be seen enjoying bathing in the rivers. If you are on a trek, Macaques, Malabar squirrels, langurs and slender loris can be spotted on the trees.

Its distance from Bangalore, and how to get there?

Ans. Coorg is at a distance of 260 kms from Bangalore. The nearest airports are Mangalore (135 km) and Bangalore (260 km). There are flights to Mangalore from Mumbai, and to Bangalore from Ahmedabad, Chennai, Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Pune. The nearest railheads are at Mysore, Mangalore and Hassan. There are two routes to Coorg from Bangalore. Both are almost the same distance (around 250-260 km). The route via Mysore is the most frequented one. The other route is via Neelamangal, Kunigal, Chanrayanapatna.

Q4. Here are six sentences with some words in italics. Find phrases from the text that have the same meaning. (Look in the paragraphs indicated)

1. During monsoons, it rains so heavily that tourists do not visit Coorg. (para 2)
2. Some people say that Alexander’s army moved south along the coast and settled there. (para 3)
3. The Coorg people are always ready to tell stories of their sons’ and fathers’ valour. (para 4)
4. Even people who normally lead an easy and slow life get smitten by the high-energy adventure sports of Coorg. (para 6)
5. The theory of the Arab origin is supported by the long coat with embroidered waist-belt they wear. (para 3)
6. Macaques, Malabar squirrels observe you carefully from the tree canopy. (para 7)

Keep many visitors away
(ii)As one story goes
(iii) Are more than willing to recount
(iv) The most laidback individuals become converts to
(v) Draws support from
(vi) Keep a watchful eye.

Glimpses of India Part 2 – Coorg Grammar Exercises

1. Here are some nouns from the text.

Culture, monks, surprise, experience, weather, tradition
Work with a partner and discuss which of the nouns can collocate with which of the adjectives given below. The first one has been done for you.
Unique, terrible, unforgettable, serious, ancient, wide, sudden

1. culture: unique culture, ancient culture
2. monks:
3. surprise:
4. experience:
5. weather:
6. tradition:

Answers-

1. culture: unique culture, ancient culture
2. monks:  ancient monks
3. surprise: Unique surprise, terrible surprise, unforgettable surprise
4. experience: Unique experience, terrible experience, unforgettable experience, sudden experience
5. weather: terrible weather, sudden weather
6. tradition: unique tradition, ancient tradition

2. Complete the following phrases from the text. For each phrase, can you find at least one other word that would fit into the blank?

1. tales of ________
2. coastal ________
3. a piece of ________
4. evergreen ________
5. ________ plantations
6. ________ bridge
7. wild ________

You may add your own examples to this list.
Answers-

1. tales of valour
2. coastal town
3. a piece of heaven
4. evergreen rainforests
5. Coffee plantations
6. Rope bridge
7. wild animals

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

Introduction

The lesson  revolves   around two friends- Pranjol and Rajvir . During summer Vacation they visited to Assam, the home town of Pranjol. Assam is known for Its largest concentration of tea plantations in the world.

 In the train,  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.

The story tells about  the  ‘tea’ the world’s famous and  its history I.e. how it was   discovered . In the first scene both the  two friends, Pranjol and Rajvir have boarded train  to  Assam, 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. As the train started Pranjol beings with  reading his detective book while Rajvir decides to enjoy the scenic beauty out of the window where  paddy fields followed by tea bushes.

Rajvir is  more  excited to explore  large plantations of tea  as compared Pranjol since the latter belongs to Assam and knows many things .

Assam is famously known as the ‘Tea country’.

Rajvir has already gathered about tea like how and  it was discovered

dates back to 2700 B.C.  

According to Rajvir, tea was first consumed in China and reached Europe in the 16th century, where it was mostly popular for it’s medicinal properties.

 There are several  stories  about  how it was discovered, one about a Chinese Emperor and the other about a Buddhist monk.

At last they reached  at the station of Assam  destination and got received by  Pranjol’s parents  and taken   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.

Tea From Assam 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.”

At the  station  a tea vendor shouting and asking  the two friends if they would like to buy some freshly-made hot tea.

Along with them the whole compartment  have  cups of tea

Pranjol tells  that “almost eighty crore cups of tea are consumed everyday throughout the world” At this  Rajvir gets 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.

Word meanings

• 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

The train started, Pranjol got busy in reading detective books while Rajvir who is himself likes detective book is intended to enjoy the greenery outside the window. As the train is moving in the north east region of India there was greenery  every where which Rajvir has never seen in his life .

Tea plantations is seen after the fields of paddy. It was a magnificent view. As far as Rajvir eyes could see there were bushes of tea plantations everywhere looking like a sea, in a  vast area at the foot of densely wooded hills . In the middle of the rows of these tea plants, there were huge and strong trees due to which these plants seemed as dwarfs.

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!”

Word meanings

• Billowing- moving or flowing outwards
• Concentration- cluster

Further at some distance they saw an ugly building with tall chimney through which smoke was coming out. Seeing that Rajvir cried in excitement that it was a tea garden. However Pranjol was not excited as he was born and spent his childhood there, said that they reached Assam now,a tea country known for largest concentration of tea plantations in the world.  Pranjol said that Rajvir would see there large number of tea garden that would remember in his whole life.

“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.”

Rajvir told Pranjol that he had been reading a lot   about how the tea was discovered and there were many legends regarding it.

Pranjol asked what were those legends. Rajvir replied that according to one of them once a Chinese Emperor who always boiled water before drinking it was boiling water in a pot at the same time some leaves fell into it and gave a delicious flavour to the water. It is said that they 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.”

Word meanings

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

Banished- get rid of

When Pranjol asked for another legend, Rajvir told an Indian legend named Bodhidharma  in which  a  Buddhist monk cut his eyelids to get rid of his sleep while doing the practice of meditation.  Gradually, those eyelids grew in to a tea plant. Since then tea is being drunk to feel fresh and energetic.

Rajvir said that tea was first discovered in China far back in 2700 b.c. that is why it is called chai, the word formed from China. He added that European started drinking tea in  16^th century as a medicine than a beverage due to its healing effects.

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

Word meanings

Clattered- (loud noise made by the train brakes)
Veered- change direction

Finally the train stopped at Mariani junction making a loud noise. The boys approached towards the crowded junction with their luggage  where Pranjol’s parents were waiting to receive them. Soon,

They were driving in a car towards  Dhekiabari, a tea garden managed by Pranjol’s father. After traveling an hour, their car changed the direction, from the main road crossed the cattle-bridge to enter Dhekiabari.

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.

Word meanings

Gravel- small, rounded stones often mixed with sand
Pruned- cut away from a tree

There were tea bushes spread all over acre upon acre on both sides of the pathway full of small rounded stones. Groups of tea-pluckers with bamboo baskets were plucking newly 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.”

Word meanings

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 the way to tractor that was loaded with tea leaves. At the same time 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, got surprised and replied that he must have done his homework to do research about tea plantations  before coming. Pranjol admitted and said that he wished to learn more about tea plantations while being there.