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“Lines Written in Early Spring” is a poem by the English Romantic poet William Wordsworth, published in 1798 as a part of his collection titled “Lyrical Ballads.” The poem captures the speaker’s contemplation of nature and its impact on his emotions. Read More Class 11 English Summaries.

Lines Written in Early Spring Poem Summary

Lines Written in Early Spring Introduction:

Wordsworth was a great lover of Nature. He found in nature the cure of all human ills. He thought that separation from nature was the only cause of modern man’s unhappiness. Man leads an artificial life in cities. He lives away from the beauties of nature.

He is caught in the rat-race of earning and spending. In this poem, he expresses his joy at the sight of beautiful objects of nature. But the thought of man’s misery makes him sad. He thinks that man is himself responsible for the misery. He can get back his joys by returning to nature.

Lines Written in Early Spring Summary in English:

It was early spring. The poet was sitting in a grove. He was resting there. He heard numberless sweet sounds. They were as sweet as the harmonious notes of music. These sweet sounds filled the poet’s mind with pleasant thoughts.

By a natural transition, these sweer thoughts led the poet to the realm of sad thoughts. The same soul runs through man and nature. There is a close relationship between man and nature. Nature gave the same soul to man and her fair works.

But it pained the poet much to see what man has made of man. In other words, man’s separation from nature grieved the poet’s heart. This very separation, according to the poet, was the cause of all ills in the world of man.

The poet saw a creeper of periwinkle trailing through the branches of primrose. He believed that all objects of nature are living things. They are full of joy and beauty everywhere. It was his firm faith that every flower enjoys the air it breathes.

The birds were hopping around the poet. They were playing joyfully. The poet could not gauge the thoughts in their hearts. But their frolics showed that they were immensely happy. The least motion which they made was an expression of joy.

There were delicate buds and blossoms on the branches of the trees. The branches with their leaves looked like spread-out fans. It appeared as if they were trying to catch the gentle wind. The poet could not but think that the trees and plants were also enjoying themselves. The poet thought that his belief in nature as a living reality was sent by heaven.

It was nature’s holy plan that all creatures should live in peace and harmony. There is a spiritual relationship between man and the beautiful objects of nature. But man has separated himself from nature. That is why he is unhappy. The poet says that his lament over man’s miserable fate is justified since it is of man’s own making.

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The first atomic bomb, codenamed “Little Boy,” was a devastating weapon that played a pivotal role in ending World War II. Developed during the top-secret Manhattan Project, it was detonated on August 6, 1945, over the Japanese city of Hiroshima. Read More Class 11 English Summaries.

The First Atom Bomb Summary

The First Atom Bomb Summary in English:

In this chapter the writer, Marcel Junod, gives a vivid account of Hiroshima after the bombing of 6 August 1945. Here he gives his first-hand experience of the devastation caused in Japan during the Second World War due to the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Three weeks had passed since the two atomic bombs had been dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. But still, nothing was practically known about the fate of the devastated towns or of the innumerable victims.

An American journalist had managed to get near Hiroshima in a plane, but his account had immediately been suppressed. The Japanese also maintained complete silence concerning the disaster. However, verbal reports went from one end of Japan to the other. It was from these reports that Junod began to have some idea of the terrible disaster.

Many people had fled from Hiroshima. Their first-hand descriptions of the horror were deeply painful. But no one knew the total number of the dead. And of those who seemed at first to have escaped, thousands were dying every day with strange symptoms.

Junod was then in Tokyo when he got some photographs from the Foreign Ministry of Japan. These photographs had been taken in Hiroshima after the explosion of the bomb. They gave a very horrible picture of the city.

Then Junod got a copy of a telegram also that had been sent from Hiroshima. It told the terrible state of those who had survived. Junod took the telegram and the photographs with him and immediately went to the Yokohama Chamber of Commerce where some big Generals of American Army were staying. He showed them the telegram and the photographs.

Their faces at once grew grave and attentive. When they looked at the photographs of badly burnt corpses, they were deeply moved. They asked Junod what he wanted from them. Junod suggested that a rescue expedition should be organised at once.

Then arrangements were made for Junod to go to Hiroshima. He went there as a part of the International Red Cross delegation. Two Japanese interpreters were sent with him. One of them was Miss Ito and the other was a Japanese journalist. On their way, the two interpreters gave Junod a great deal of information about what Hiroshima had once been.

Hiroshima, said Miss Ito, means the broad island. It was built on the delta of the river, Ota. It was the seventh town in point of size in Japan. It had a population of 250,000 people. In addition, there was a garrison of about 150,000 soldiers. But now nothing remained alive after the blast.

The Japanese journalist told Junod that it was 6 August 1945 when an atom bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. That morning, the sky was quite clear. Suddenly, a glaring whitish pinkish light appeared in the sky. There was an unnatural tremor, and then a suffocating heat.

Within a few seconds, thousands of people in the streets were scorched by the searing heat. Many were killed instantly. Others lay writhing from the intolerable pain of their burns. Most Japanese houses are built of timber and straw. So when a terrible wind rose,

fires spread everywhere. Trees went up in flames. Trams were picked up by the wind and tossed aside as though they had no weight. The animals suffered the same fate as human beings. Within three miles from the centre of the explosion, nothing remained alive.

Houses were flattened as though they had been built of cardboard. The terrible play of wind, fire, death and destruction went on all day. By evening, the fire began to die down. Then it went out when nothing was left to burn. Hiroshima had ceased to exist.

What Junod actually saw on reaching Hiroshima was nothing but a catacomb: At three miles from the centre of the devastation, the roofs of the houses had fallen in and the beams jutted out from the wreckage of their walls. At about two and a half miles, all the buildings had been burnt out completely and destroyed.

And at three quarters of a mile from the centre of the explosion, nothing at all was left. It was a stony waste littered with debris. Absolute silence reigned in the whole city that had turned into an endless graveyard. There was not even a bird or an animal to be seen anywhere.

Before leaving Tokyo, Junod and his delegation were invited by General MacArthur to his office. He thanked them for all the work they had done for the victims in Hiroshima. General MacArthur was one of those who had been responsible for the dropping of the bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

After seeing the death and devastation caused by it, he was deeply repentant. “Too much has been destroyed in this war,” he said. He realised how destructive an atomic war would be. He said, “A new war would leave nothing worthy of mention.” He felt that all possible efforts must be made to save mankind from itself. ‘Force is not a solution for man’s problems, he said.

The First Atom Bomb Translation in English:

Marcel Junod (1904-1961) was a Swiss doctor and a field delegate of the International Committee of the Red Cross. He is remembered for his selfless service during the Abyssinian War, the Spanish Civil War and World War II. He was the first foreign doctor to reach Hiroshima after the atom bomb attack on 6 August, 1945.

In this essay, he gives a first-hand experience of the devastation caused in Japan during the Second World War due to the dropping of the first atom bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Even those who were responsible for dropping the bombs, like General MacArthur, after seeing the death and destruction, felt that force is not a solution to mans problem and ‘a new war would leave nothing behind worthy of mention.

Three weeks had passed since the two atomic bombs had been dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, but we still knew practically nothing about the fate of the devastated towns or of the innumerable victims.

The American wireless had broadcast a very great deal about the preparations made for the use of the new weapon and about its extraordinary power, but information concerning the effects of atomic bomb ardment was limited to the horrible prophecy ‘for seventy years at least the radio- activity of the earth around the scene of the explosion will prevent all forms of life from existing there.’

The Americans I had met the evening before on board the Benevolence had all fallen silent the moment I mentioned the word, ‘Hiroshima’. When they questioned me about Japan, they carefully avoided all mention of it, and when I uttered the word I think we all felt an indefinable sense of discomfort.

For different reasons the Japanese also maintained complete silence concerning the disaster which had brought their sudden defeat. It was only through the verbal reports which went from one end of Japan to the

other that we began to have some idea of what the sudden cataclysm had meant for the inhabitants of Hiroshima. One of our secretaries named Nohara, a half-Japanese, sometimes repeated to us more or less the gist of what was being rumoured amongst the Japanese.

Many fugitives had fled from Hiroshima to seek safety with their families, and their first-hand descriptions of the horror were profoundly disquieting; the blinding light suddenly flashing out of a peaceful sky was a phenomenon much more terrible than an earthquake. It was a typhoon of glare, heat, and wind which had swept suddenly over the earth and left a sea of fire behind it.

No one knew the total of dead; 50,000 said some; 200,000 insisted others. And there were just as many wounded, or more. And of those who seemed at first to have escaped injury, thousands were dying every day with strange, new and inexplicable symptoms.

On 2 September a Japanese policeman brought a copy of a telegram to our villa in Torizaka for which Tokyo had not yet issued a censorship visa. Bilfinger had arrived at Hiroshima on 30 August and hurriedly sent off the following disjointed report :

Situation horrifying ………… Ninety per cent of town razed ………. All hospitals ……. destroyed or severely damaged Have visited two provisional hospitals : conditions indescribable …. Bomb effects mysterious. Many victims apparently recovering suddenly experience fatal relapse owing to degeneration’ of white corpuscles’ and other internal injuries …….. Deaths still

occurring in great numbers. More than 100,000 victims still in provisional hospitals in neighbourhood. Grave shortage of material, bandages, medicaments Appeal allied high command supplies be parac-huted immediately into centre of town.

Urgently need large supplies of bandages, cottonwool, ointments for burns, sulpha- mides, blood plasma and transfusion kits …. immediate action necessary I took this telegram, and the photographs, which I still had in my possession, and went at once to the Yokohama Chamber of Commerce where General MacArthur had installed himself and his staff.

A few minutes after my arrival four high officers were bending over the table on which I had wordlessly placed the photos and the telegram : General Fitch, Chief of the U.S. Information Service; Colonel Marcus, of the Prisoners-of-war Department; Colonel Webster, Chief of the Hospital Service; and Colonel Sams, who was incharge of assistance for the civil population.

They were the first Americans to see photographs of Hiroshima taken on the ground after the fall of the atomic bomb. Their faces were grave and attentive, and their expressions were a trifle wry at the sight of those carbonized corpses No one spoke.

The photos went from hand to hand. General Fitch put on his glasses. He read the telegram twice and then turned to me. ‘What do you want us to do ?’ What did I want them to do ? Wasn’t Bilfinger’s telegram plain enough ? There were 100,000 wounded people without proper

attention. Bandages, sulphamides, blood plasma — Bilfinger has listed it all. I suggested that a rescue expedition should be organised at once. The General turned to Colonel Sams. ‘That’s your department, I think,’ he said. The four officers put their heads together. Then one of them picked up the photos and the telegram. ‘Leave these with me,’ he said. ‘I want to show them to General MacArthur’.

It was 7 September, five days later, before I heard anything further, and then Colonel Sams summoned me to Yokohama. ‘It is impossible for the United States Army to organize any direct relief action,’ he informed me, ‘but General MacArthur is willing to let you have fifteen tons of medicaments and hospital material. They can be distributed under the control and responsibility of the Red Cross.’ And he added :

‘A commission of inquiry is leaving for Hiroshima tomorrow. A seat has been reserved for you on board one of the planes.’Early on September the investigation commission left the island of Miyajima. From our hotel we walked along the shore of the little harbour. We boarded the boat which was to take us over the arm of the sea which separated us from the main island.

A car was waiting for us there, and I sat between two Japanese interpreters, a Miss Ito, who has been born in Canada, and a Japanese journalist who had spent twenty years in the United States. They both gave me a great deal of information about what Hiroshima had once been : its main activities and its geographical situation.

I needed their accounts in order to compare the reality of yesterday, a busy prosperous town, with the reality of today : the desolating spectacle after its utter destruction by one flash of blinding searing light.

‘Hiroshima,’ explained the fragile Miss Ito, ‘means “the broad island.” It was built on the delta6 of the river Ota which flows down from Mount Kamuri and it was the seventh town in point of size in Japan.

The seven arms of the Ota – seven rivers which pour their waters into the inland sea enclose in an almost perfect triangle the harbour of the town, the factories, an arsenal, oil refineries, and warehouses. Hiroshima had a population of 250,000 people, and in addition there was a garrison of about 150,000 soldiers.’.

The journalist described : ‘On 6 August there wasn’t a cloud in the sky above Hiroshima, and a mild, hardly perceptible wind blew from the south. Visibility was almost perfect for ten or twelve miles.‘At nine minutes past seven in the morning an air-raid warning sounded and four American B 29 planes appeared.

To the north of the town two of them turned and made off to the south and disappeared in the direction of the Shoho Sea. The other two, after having circled the neighbourhood of Shukai, flew off at high speed southwards in the direction of the Bingo Sea.

‘At 7. 31 the all-clear was given. Feeling themselves in safety people came out of their shelters and went about their affairs, and the work of the day began. Suddenly a glaring whitish pinkish light appeared in the sky, accompanied by an unnatural tremor which was followed almost immediately by a wave of suffocating heat and wind which swept away everything in its path.

‘Within a few seconds the thousands of people in the streets and the gardens in the centre of the town were scorched by a wave of searing heat. Many were killed instantly, others lay writhing on the ground screaming in agony from the intolerable pain of their burns.

Everything standing upright in the way of the blast walls, houses, factories, and other buildings was annihilated, and the debriso spun round in a whirlwind and was carried up into the air. Trams were picked up and tossed aside as though they had neither weight nor solidity.

Trains were flung off the rails as though they were toys. Horses, dogs, and cattle suffered the same fate as human beings. Every living thing was petrified in an attitude of indescribable suffering. Even the vegetation did not escape. Trees went up in flames, the rice plants lost their greenness, the grass burned on the ground like dry straw.

‘Beyond the zone of utter death in which nothing remained alive, houses collapsed in a whirl of beams, bricks, and girders. Up to about three miles from the centre of the explosion lightly-built houses were flattened as though they had been built of cardboard. Those who were inside were either killed or wounded. Those who managed to extricate themselves by some miracle found themselves

surrounded by a ring of fire. And the few who succeeded in making their way to safety generally died twenty or thirty days later from the delayed effects of the deadly gamma rays. Some of the reinforced concrete or stone buildings remained standing, but their interiors were completely gutted by the blast.

Summary of The First Atom Bomb

‘About half an hour after the explosion, whilst the sky all round Hiroshima was still cloudless, a fine rain began to fall on the town and went on for about five minutes.

It was caused by the sudden rise of overheated air to a great height, where it condensed’ and fell back as rain. Then a violent wind rose and the fires extended with terrible rapidity, because most Japanese houses are built only of timber and straw.

‘By the evening the fire began to die down and then it went out. There was nothing left to burn. Hiroshima had ceased to exist.’ The Japanese broke off, and then pronounced one word with indescribable but restrained emotion : ‘Look’. About two and a half miles from the centre of the town all the buildings had been burnt out and destroyed.

Only traces of the foundations and piles of debris and rusty charred ironwork were left. At three-quarters of a mile from the centre of the explosion nothing at all was left. Everything had disappeared. It was a stony waste littered with debris and twisted girders.

We got out of the car and made our way slowly through the ruins into the centre of the dead city. Absolute silence reigned in the whole city. There was not even a survivor searching in the ruins, though some distance away a group of soldiers was clearing a passage through the debris.

There was not a bird or an animal to be seen anywhere. Professor Tsusuki (one of the leading surgeons in Japan) led the way and spoke in a loud voice so that we could all hear what he said. His sentences came to us disjointed as though by deep excitement and emotion.

‘We must open our minds… we must try to understand everything.’ He pointed to the remnants’ of a wall, the base of which ran foperhaps six or seven yards. ‘There was a hospital here, gentlemen. Two hundred beds, eight doctors, twenty nurses.

Every single one and all the patients were killed. That’s what an atomic bomb does….’ A few days before I left Tokyo, Brigadier- General Baker, one of the American officers incharge of foreign relations, informed me that General MacArthur wished to receive the delegation of the International Red Cross. General MacArthur received us in his office on the top floor of the building.

He was wearing the ordinary service uniform of the U.S. Army, and the only indication of his high rank were five stars in each shoulder strap He invited us all to sit down near the window, which gave on to the grounds of the Imperial Palace, and sitting down with us and smoking his traditional pipe he talked to us freely.

The First Atom Bomb short Summary

He thanked us for the work we had done on behalf of the imprisoned Americans, but we could feel that his thoughts went even further than the fate of his own men. He was thinking of everyone who had been assisted and protected by the Red Cross, of all those who in their exile and their humiliation had no other hope of assistance. ‘The supreme value of human life and human blood has been forgotten,’ he said, ‘and human dignity too.’

In a firm voice, emphasizing each word, he went on : ‘Force is not a solution for man’s problems. Force on its own is nothing. It never has the last word. Perhaps you find it strange that I, a professional soldier, should say that to you.’

The chief architect of victory in the Pacific did not conceal his opinion that peace still lay far ahead in the future. ‘Even with our present weapons,’ he went on, ‘not including those still to be developed, a new war would leave nothing behind worthy of mention.’

And in even more precise terms he sketched the danger of death and destruction which still hung over the world. ‘Too much has been destroyed in this war, and the physical exhaustion is too great, for there to be another war during the next twenty or twenty-five years. But what will happen after that ? What will happen unless between now and then we do everything possible to save mankind from itself ?’

Today and Tomorrow Summary

“A President Speaks” is a collection of speeches and addresses delivered by a president, usually compiled to provide insight into their vision, policies, and thoughts during their time in office. Read More Class 11 English Summaries.

A President Speaks Summary

A President Speaks Summary in English:

In this essay, Kalam says that from Alexander onwards, many nations have invaded our country and looted us. They took over what was ours. Yet India has not done this to any other nation. We have not conquered anyone. We have not snatched their land, their culture, and their history. We have not tried to enforce our way of life on them. It was because we love freedom.

Then Kalam talks about his three visions for India. He says that his first vision for India is of freedom. India got its first vision of freedom in 1857 when the war of independence was started. It is this freedom that we must protect. We must nurture it and build future of India on it. If we are not free, no one will respect us. Kalam’s second vision for India is of development. For fifty, years we have been a developing nation.

It is time we saw ourselves as a developed nation. We are among top 5 nations of the world in terms of GDP. Our poverty levels are falling. Our achievements are being globally recognized today. Yet we lack the self-confidence to see ourselves as a developed and self-reliant nation. Kalam’s third vision for India is of strength.

Kalam says that India must become strong. It must stand up to the world. Only then can we win respect. Kalam says that only strength respects strength. So we must be strong. We should be strong not only as a military power, but also as an economic power.

Kalam refers to our obsession with foreign goods. He says that India has made wonderful success in many fields. Yet we run after foreign goods. We want foreign TVs, foreign shirts and foreign technology. Kalam is unable to understand this obsession with everything imported. He says that self-respect comes with self-reliance. We must realize this truth. We must become self-reliant and not run after imported things.

We are never tired of finding fault with our government, our laws, and all the things that are related with the government. But we never ask ourselves as to what we do about it. We behave very differently when we are in another country. There, we become very responsible and law-abiding in our behaviour. We don’t dare to do anything that is not acceptable there.

For example, in Dubai we would not dare to eat in public in Ramadan. In Jeddah, we would not dare to go out without covering our head. In London, we would not dare to bribe an employee of the telephone exchange to have our calls billed to someone else. When we are in Australia or New Zealand, we would not throw our empty coconut shell on the beach.

We don’t throw it anywhere other than the garbage pail. Similarly, we would never spit paan on the streets of Tokyo. And in Boston, we shall never try to buy false certificates from an employee in the examination department.

But in our own country, we shall do all these things without any fear or sense of shame. Kalam wonders why we can’t behave like a good citizen in India also. We willingly follow a foreign system, but don’t care a fig for our own. How strange !

We blame the government for everything and never care about our own duty. Often people take their dog for a walk on the road. The dog leaves its droppings all over the place. And then we blame the government for dirty pavements.

Kalam says that in countries like America and Japan, every dog owner has to clean the droppings of his pet. But the people in India would never do it. They will only blame the government.

We expect the government to do everything for us. We go to the polls and choose a government. Then we think that our responsibility is finished. We sit back comfortably and expect the government to do everything for us.

We expect the government to clean up the roads and streets. But we don’t stop throwing the garbage all over the place. We never stop to pick up a stray piece of paper and throw it into the bin. We expect the railways to provide clean bathrooms.

But we never care to make a proper use of them. We want Indian Airlines and Air India to provide the best of food and toiletries. But we shall not stop our habit of pilfering. Surely, we are the strangest of people.

Kalam says that we are in the habit of finding fault with the government. We find fault with our laws, and our system. We show great concern about burning social issues. Women, dowry, girl child, etc. are not subjects for us.

We make a show of loud protests in public. We blame the system but when it comes to us, we behave most selfishly. We begin to say, “How will it matter if I alone give up my son’s right to dowry ?” We fail to realize that we are also a part of the system.

How will the system change if we don’t change ourselves ? In great despair, Kalam says that everybody is out to abuse and rape the country. Nobody thinks of feeding the system. We have mortgaged our conscience to money. Kalam calls upon every Indian to do what the country needs from us.

A President Speaks Translation in English

This inspiring speech was delivered by President A. P.J. Abdul Kalam (1931-2015), a scholar and scientist of world renown, in Hyderabad. He was a human being with a keen perception and sensitivity, to human want and suffering.

Various distinctions? and awards form the various milestones of his outstanding life. In 1997, he was awarded BHARAT RATNA, the highest civilian honour of the country. His stay in the Rashtrapati Bhawan was marked by a childlike indifference to conventions.

It is interesting to note that his site on the Internet is dedicated to mother, father, teacher, and Almighty. One can learn a great deaf from his other speeches too.

I have three visions for India. In 3000 years of our history, people from all over the world have come and invaded us, captured our lands, conquered our minds. From Alexander onwards, the Greeks, the Turks, the Moguls, the Portuguese, the British, the French, the Dutch, all of them came and looted us, took over what was ours.

Yet we have not done this to any other nation. We have not conquered anyone. We have not grabbed their land, their culture, and their history and tried to enforce our way of life on them. Why This is because we respect the freedom of others.

That is why my first vision is that of FREEDOM. I believe that India got its first vision of this in 1857 when we started the war of independence. It is this freedom that we must protect and nurture and build on. If we are not free, no one will respect us.

My second vision for India is of DEVELOPMENT. For fifty years we have been a developing nation. It is time we saw ourselves as a developed nation. We are among top 5 nations of the world in terms of GDP. We have 10 percent growth rate in most areas.

Our poverty levels are falling. Our achievements are being globally recognized today. Yet we lack the self-confidence to see ourselves as a developed nation, self-reliant and self-assured. Isn’t this incorrect ? I have a third vision.

India must STAND UP to the world. Because I believe that, unless India stands up to the world, no one will respect us. Only strength respects strength. We must be strong not only as a military power but also as an economic power. Both must go hand-in- hand.

My good fortune was to have worked with three great minds. Dr Vikram Sarabhai of the Deptt. of Space, Prof. Satish Dhawan, who succeeded him and Dr Brahm Prakash, the father of nuclear materials. I was lucky to have worked with all three of them closely and consider this the great opportunity of my life.

We have so many amazing success stories but we refuse to acknowledge them. Why ? We are the first in milk production. We are number one in remote sensing satellites. We are the second largest producer of wheat. We are the second largest producer of rice. Another question : why are we, as a nation so obsessed with foreign things ?

Why do we want foreign TVs ? Why do we want foreign shirts? Why do we want foreign technology? Why this obsession with everything imported? Do we not realize that self-respect comes with self-reliance ?

I was in Hyderabad giving this lecture, when a 14-year-old girl asked me for my autograph. I asked her what her goal in life was. She replied : ‘I want to live in a developed India.’ For her, you and I will have to build this developed India. You must proclaim: India is not an under developed nation; it is a highly developed nation. Do you have 10 minutes ? Allow me to take you with a vengeance.

Give 10 minutes for your country, and read on :

• YOU say that our government is inefficient.
• YOU say that our laws are too old.
• YOU say that the municipality does not pick up the garbage’.
• YOU say that the phones don’t work, the railways are a joke, the airline is the worst in the world.
• YOU say that mails never reach their destination.
• YOU say that our country has been fed to the dogs and is the absolute pits.
• YOU say, say and say. What do YOU do about it ?

Take a person on his way to Singapore. Give him a name – YOURS. Give him a face – YOURS. YOU walk out of the airport and you are at your international best. In Singapore you don’t throw litter on the roads or eat in the stores. YOU are as proud.

of their underground links as they are. You pay $5 to drive through Orchard Road (equivalent of Mahim Causeway or Pedder Road) between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.

YOU come back to the parking lot to punch your parking ticket if you have overstayed in a restaurant or a shopping mall irrespective of6 your status identity. In Singapore you don’t say anything, DO YOU ?

YOU wouldn’t dare to eat in public during Ramadan, in Dubai, YOU would not dare to go out without your head covered in Jeddah. YOU would not dare to buy an employee of the telephone exchange in London at 10 pounds a month to, “see to it that my STD and ISD calls are billed to someone else.”

YOU would not dare to speed beyond7 55 mph (88 km/h) in Washington and then tell the traffic cop, “Jaanta hai mai kaun boon ? (Do you know who I am ?) / am so and so’s son. Take your tivo bucks and get lost. ”

You wouldn’t chuck an empty coconut shell9 anywhere other than the garbage pail on the beaches in Australia and New Zealand. Why don’t YOU spit paan on the streets of Tokyo ? Why don’t YOU use examination jockeys or buy fake certificates in Boston ?

We are still talking of the same YOU. YOU who can respect and conform to a foreign system in other countries but cannot in your own. You who will throw papers and garbage on the road the moment you touch Indian ground.

If you can be an involved and appreciative citizen in an alien country, why cannot you be the same here in India ? Once in an interview, the famous ex-municipal commissioner of Bombay (Mumbai), Mr Tinaikar had a point to make.

“Rich people’s dogs are walked on the streets to leave their affluent droppings all over the place,” he said. “And then the same people turn around to criticize and blame the authorities for inefficiency and dirty pavements.

What do they expect the officers to do ? Go down with a broom every time their dog feels the pressure in his bowels. In America every dog owner has to clean up after his pet has done the job. Same in Japan. Will the Indian citizen do that here ?” He’s right. We go to the polls to choose a government and after that forfeit all responsibility.

We sit back wanting to be pampered and expect the government to do everything for us whilst our contribution is totally negative. We expect the government to clean up but we are not going to stop chucking garbage all over the place, nor are we going to stop to pick up a stray piece of paper and throw it in the bin.

We expect the railways to provide clean bathrooms but we are not going to learn the proper use of bathrooms. We want Indian Airlines and Air India to provide the best of food and toiletries but we are not going to stop pilfering at the least opportunity.

This applies even to the staff that is known not to pass on the service to the public. When it comes to burning social issues like those related to women, dowry, girl child and others, we make loud drawing-room protestations and continue to do the reverse at home. Our excuse ? “It’s the whole system

which has to change, how will it matter if I alone forego my son’s rights to a dowry ?” So who’s going to change the system ? What does a system consist of ? Very conveniently for us it consists of our neighbours, other households, other cities, other communities and the government.

But definitely not me and YOU ! When it comes to us actually making a positive contribution to the system we lock ourselves along with our families into a safe cocoon’ and look into the distance at countries far away and wait for a Mr Clean to come along and work miracles for us with a majestic sweep of his hand or we leave the country and run away.

Like lazy cowards hounded by our fears we run to America to bask in their glory and praise their system. When New York becomes insecure we run to England. When England experiences unemployment, we take the next flight out to the Gulf.

When Gulf is war-struck, we demand to be rescued and brought home by the Indian government. Everybody is out to abuse and rape the country. Nobody thinks of feeding the system. Our conscience is mortgaged to money.

Dear Indians, the article is highly thought inductive. It calls for a great deal of introspection and pricks one’s conscience too. I am echoing J.F. Kennedy’s words to his fellow Americans to relate to Indians. “Ask What We Can Do For India And Do What Has To Be Done To Make ”

On Saying Please Summary

Mother’s Day is a special occasion celebrated to honor and show appreciation for mothers and mother figures. It is typically observed on different dates around the world, often falling on the second Sunday of May. The day is dedicated to recognizing the significant role that mothers play in our lives, acknowledging their unconditional love, sacrifices, and contributions to our upbringing and well-being. Read More Class 11 English Summaries.

Mother’s Day Poem Summary

Mother’s Day Introduction:

In this poem, the poet says that people in India celebrate the Mother’s Day, but in a different way. They don’t celebrate it just once a year like the people of other countries. They don’t adore their mothers in false words. They don’t present their mothers a string of spurious poems kept safely in a bouquet shaped like a Chinese house of dreams.

A Chinese house of dreams means a world of imagination. Here the poet ridicules the foreign custom of honouring the mother. He wants to say that Indian people don’t honour their mothers with words only. They honour their mothers through their actions. Then the poet says that his mother is a bit more demanding.

She wants her son to pay her obeisance at each sunrise. Here the poet’s mother refers to an Indian mother. An Indian mother loves her children very dearly. She always worries about the welfare of her children. She believes that her blessings would keep all the ills away from her children.

So she wants them to touch her feet every morning and take her blessings before starting a new day. Then the poet says that his mother wants him to throw a handful of yellow rice to the birds regularly. She asks him to do it like a devotee. In other words, an Indian mother wants to make her children kind to the birds and animals. She demands only this much from her children.

Mother’s Day Poem short Summary

Then the poet says that worshipping an idol just once a year by holding a candelabrum to it is all useless. It is nothing but showing disrespect to it. In the same way, honouring one’s mother once a year is nothing but showing disrespect to her. The poet says that whenever he sees a caterpillar moving towards a pansy plant, he calls upon his deity, i.e. his mother.

And whenever he hears the fearful noise of the long loud sound of the strong wind, he calls upon his deity. He says that sometimes he calls upon his deity twice a day. Whether he is amazed to see anything or he is frightened, mother comes to his mind first.

And he calls upon her – no matter, how many times a day. The poet concludes the poem with the idea that at all times, either in joy or sorrow, we call upon our mothers to be with us. Then how can we dedicate just one day in a year to her ?
Am I a Child? Summary

“Let’s Not Forget the Martyrs” is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by individuals who gave their lives for a cause they believed in. The summary captures the essence of honoring these heroes who have left an indelible mark on history. Through their courage and dedication, they have inspired generations to continue striving for justice, freedom, and positive change. The piece serves as a tribute to these martyrs, ensuring that their legacy and the lessons they imparted are never forgotten. Read More Class 11 English Summaries.

Let’s Not Forget the Martyrs Summary

Let’s Not Forget the Martyrs Summary in English:

This chapter describes the heroic deeds of some great martyrs who were honoured with Param Vir Chakra, the highest gallantry award in India. During the war, they inflicted heavy losses upon the enemy and thus changed the course of the war.

1. Major Som Nath Sharma

The very first recipient of the Param Vir Chakra was Major Som Nath Sharma. He was awarded this medal for his bravery during the Indo-Pak war of 1947-48 in Kashmir. He died while evicting Pakistani raiders from Srinagar Airport. Major Som Nath Sharma was born on 31 January 1923 at Dadh in Kangra in Himachal Pradesh. His father, Major General Amar Nath Sharma, was also a military officer.

It was 31 Oct. 1947. Major Som Nath’s company was to be airlifted to Srinagar. At that time, Som Nath’s right hand was in plaster. A few days back, he had been injured in the hockey field. But Major Som Nath insisted on being with his company during the war. Finally, he was permitted to go to Srinagar with his company.

When Major Som Nath reached Srinagar with his company, they were ordered to go to the Badgam village in the Kashmir valley. A ‘Lashkar’ of about 700 raiders had entered the village. During the fight, the enemy surrounded Som Nath’s company from three sides and started mortar bombardment. Many of his soldiers were killed in this bombardment.

But even then the Major didn’t let his men lose their courage. Exposing himself to danger, he ran from post to post and urged his men to fight bravely. Despite his right hand being in plaster, he started filling magazines and issuing them to his soldiers.

Suddenly, a mortar shell exploded on the ammunition lying near him. Major Som Nath was killed in that explosion. However, his last message sent to the Brigade Headquarters turned the tables against the enemy. The Indian troops, at once, flew into Srinagar and blocked all the routes to Srinagar. Thus Major Som Nath Sharma saved Srinagar from falling into the hands of the enemy.

2. Lieutenant Colonel Dhan Singh Thapa :

Lieutenant Colonel Dhan Singh Thapa, PVC, was an Indian Army Major in Ist Battalion, 8th Gorkha Rifles Regiment. It was 20 Oct. 1962. Major Dhan Singh Thapa was posted in Ladakh at that time. The Chinese attacked Sirijap-1 post near the Chushul airport in Ladakh.

They kept shelling for about two hours and set the whole area ablaze. But Major Thapa and his men also inflicted heavy losses on the enemy and thus repulsed their attack. The Chinese made another attack in great numbers. This time too, Major Thapa failed their attack. Third time the Chinese attacked with tanks.

Though Major Thapa and his men were weakened by the casualties suffered in earlier attacks, they didn’t lose courage. They continued fighting till the ammunition was finished. When the Chinese overran the post, Major Thapa jumped out of his trench.

He killed many of the intruders in hand-to-hand fighting. Major Thapa was awarded the Param Vir Chakra. It was believed that Major Thapa was killed in that encounter. But, in fact, he was taken prisoner. When he was released from the POW camp, he resumed his military career. He retired as Lieutenant Colonel. He died in Sept. 2005.

3. Havildar Abdul Hamid

Havildar Abdul Hamid was a soldier in the 4th battalion of The Grenadiers of the Indian Army. He died in the Khem Karan Sector during the Indo-Pak war of 1965. He was posthumously honoured with the Param Vir Chakra award for his exemplary courage and bravery displayed during the war.

Abdul Hamid was born on July 1, 1933 at Dhamupur village in Ghazipur District of Uttar Pradesh. He was enrolled into The Grenadiers, infantry regiment in 1954. In the Indo-Pak war of 1965, Abdul Hamid was posted in the Khem Karan-Bhikhiwind Sector in Punjab.

It was 10 September 1965. Pakistani forces with a regiment of Patton tanks attacked a vital area near Khem Karan Sector. There was intense artillery shelling. The enemy tanks had penetrated the forward position in an hour only.

Company Quarter Master Havildar Abdul Hamid realised the gravity of the situation. And he moved out to a flanking position with his gun mounted on a jeep. There was intense enemy shelling and tank fire. But brave Hamid didn’t care and taking an advantageous position, he knocked out the leading enemy tank.

Then quickly changing his position, he knocked out another enemy tank. Just then, the enemy tanks spotted him and started firing at him. However, an undeterred Hamid still kept on firing on another enemy tank. He was badly wounded by a highly explosive shell.

Abdul Hamid’s brave action inspired his comrades to beat back the heavy tank assault by the enemy. His complete disregard for his own safety and his sustained acts of bravery in the face of constant enemy fire presented a marvellous example before the whole world.

4. Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon

Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon who was an officer of the Indian Air Force was born on 17 July 1943. He was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra for defending Srinagar Air Base from a Pakistani air raid during the Indo-Pak war of 1971.

During that war, he was assigned to the No. 18 Squadron, “The Flying Bullets’, flying the Folland Gnat fighter aircraft based at Srinagar. It was 14 December 1971. Six Pakistani Air Force F-86 Sabre jets attacked Srinagar airfield. Sekhon was on readiness duty at that time. The enemy aircraft dropped bombs on the ground targets.

Under heavy fire, Sekhon somehow was able to take off in his Gnat and fight with the Sabres. He scored a direct hit on one Sabre and set another Sabre ablaze. After a long fight with the remaining four Sabres, Sekhon’s aircraft was hit and he was killed. The remaining Pakistani aircraft returned to Pakistan without pressing the attack.

5. Captain Vikram Batra Captain Vikram

Batra was born on 9 Sept. 1974 in Ghuggar village near Palampur in Himachal Pradesh. He was an officer of the Indian Army. He was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra for his heroic deeds during the 1999 Kargil war between India and Pakistan.

In 1996, he was commissioned in the Indian Army as a Lieutenant of the 13 JAK Rifles at Sopore in Jammu & Kashmir. He soon rose to the rank of Captain. In June 1999, his unit proceeded to Kargil sector on getting the news of a warlike situation in Kargil, Drass and Batalik sub-sectors.

Captain Vikram along with his company was sent on the first strategic and daring operation in Kargil. He was given the task of recapturing the first peak of utmost importance Point 5140, which was at an altitude of 17000 feet. Captain Vikram who was nicknamed Sher Shah for his courage decided to lead from the rear and thus shock the enemy.

He and his men ascended the sheer rock-cliff. But as they reached near the top, the enemy started firing at them with their heavy machine guns. Captain Batra and his men didn’t bother about the heavy firing and climbed up the cliff. After reaching the top, they hurled two grenades at the machine-gun post.

Captain Vikram alone killed three enemy soldiers in close combat. Though he was seriously injured, he insisted on continuing the mission. Inspired by his courage, his men charged the enemy position and recaptured Point 5140.

The capture of Point 5140 set in motion a string of successes such as Point 5100, Point 4700, Junction Peak, Three Pimples, Point 4750 and Point 4875. On 7 July, 1999, Captain Vikram Batra was killed when he tried to save an injured officer while recapturing Point 4875. His last words were Jai Mata Di’.

Let’s Not Forget the Martyrs Translation in English:

Param Vir Chakra is the highest gallantry award instituted by the government of India to be conferred on those soldiers who display exemplary courage and bravery in their fight for the honour, dignity and the protection of their motherland.

We can sleep in peace only because of the alert presence of these sentinels? at the borders of our country. The excerpts below describe the heroics of some of the recipients of this great honour. They laid down their lives but changed the course of the war through their great display of courage by inflicting heavy losses upon the foe.

Major Som Nath Sharma (1923-1947) was the first recipient of the Param Vir Chakra, the highest Indian gallantry award. He was awarded the medal posthumously for his bravery in the Kashmir operations in November 1947. He died while evicting Pakistani infiltrators and raiders from Srinagar Airport during the Indo-Pak War of 1947 – 48 in Kashmir. He belonged to the Kumaon Regiment.

Major Som Nath Sharma was born on 31 January 1923 at Dadh, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, India. He came from a well-known military family. His father, Major General Amar Nath Sharma, was also a military officer. His company was airlifted8 to Srinagar on 31 October 1947. His right hand was in a plaster cast as a result of injuries sustained in the hockey field previously but he insisted on being with his company in combat and was given permission to go.

On 3 November, 1947, Major Som Nath Sharma’s company was ordered on a fighting patrol10 to Badgam village in the Kashmir Valley. A tribal ‘lashkar of 700 raiders approached Badgam from the direction of Gulmarg.

The company was soon surrounded by the enemy from three sides and sustained heavy casualties from the ensuing17 mortar bombardment. Under heavy fire and outnumbered seven to one, Som Nath urged17 his company to fight bravely, often exposing himself to14 danger as he ran from post to post. When heavy causalties adversely affected the firing power of his company, Major Sharma, with his right hand in plaster, took upon himself the task of filling the magazines and issuing them to men, operating light machine guns.

While he was busy fighting the enemy, a mortar shell exploded on the ammunition near him. His last message to Brigade HQ before he was killed was “The enemies are only 50 yards from us. We are under devastating fire. I shall not withdraw an inch but will fight to our last man and our last round.”

By the time the relief company of 1st Battalion Kumaon Regiment reached Badgam, the position had been overrun. However, the 200 casualties suffered by the enemy made them lose their impetus to advance. The Indian troops in the meantime flew in to Srinagar airfield and blocked all routes to Srinagar. In this manner, Som Nath Sharma prevented the fall of Srinagar.

Lieutenant Colonel Dhan Singh Thapa PVC was an Indian Army Major in 1st Battalion, 8 01 Gorkha Rifles Regiment. He was commissioned on 28 August, 1949. At 06.00 on 20 October 1962, the Chinese opened a barrage of artillery and mortar fire over Sirijap-1 post near the Chushul Airport in Ladakh.

The shelling continued till 08.30 and the whole area was set ablaze. Some shells fell on the command post and damaged the wireless set. This put the post out of communication. The Chinese then attacked in overwhelming numbers. Major Thapa and his men repulsed the attack, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. The Chinese mounted another attack in greater numbers after shelling the area with artillery and mortar fire.

Major Thapa once again repulsed the attack, inflicting heavy losses on the Chinese. A short while later, a third Chinese attack included tanks in support of the infantry. The defenders were weakened by the casualties suffered in earlier attacks, but held out while the ammunition lasted. When the Chinese finally overran the post, Major Thapa jumped out of his trench and killed many intruders in hand-to-hand fighting.

Summary Let’s Not Forget the Martyrs

He was eventually overpowered and captured. Major Thapa who was awarded the Param Vir Chakra, was believed to have been killed in this engagement. But he was later discovered to have been taken prisoner.

After his release from the POW camp he resumed his military career. He retired as Lieutenant Colonel and died in September 2005. Major Thapa’s cool courage, conspicuous6 fighting qualities and leadership were in the highest traditions of our Army.

Havildar Abdul Hamid was a soldier in the 4th battalion, The Grenadiers7 of the Indian Army, who died in the Khem Karan Sector during the Indo-Pak War of 1.965. He was the posthumous recipient of the Republic of India’s highest military decoration8, the Param Vir Chakra.

Abdul Hamid was born in a poor Darzi family at Dhamupur village of Ghazipur district of Uttar Pradesh on July 1, 1933. Abdul Hamid was enrolled into The Grenadiers, infantry regiment in 1954. During the Sino-Indian War of 1962, Hamid’s battalion was a part of infantry Brigade commanded by Brigadier John Dalvi. It participated9 in the battle of Namka Chu against the Chinese. In 1965 Indo-Pak War, Abdul Hamid was posted in the Karan.

Bhikhiwind Sector in Punjab. Successful actions by Indian armoury artillery and infantry anti-tank actions, such as those of Abdul Hamid, tarnished the reputation of the M48 Patton tanks. At 0800 hours on 10 September 1965 Pakistani forces launched an attack with a regiment of Patton tanks on a vital area ahead of village Cheema on the Bhikhiwind road in the Khem Karan Sector. Intense artillery shelling preceded the attack. The enemy tanks penetrated4 the forward position by 0900 hours.

Realising the grave situation, Company Quarter Master Havildar Abdul Hamid who was commander of an RCL gun detachment moved out to a flanking position with his gun mounted on a jeep, under intense enemy shelling and tank fire. Taking an advantageous position, he knocked out the leading enemy tank and then swiftly changing his position, he sent another tank up in flames.

By this time the enemy tanks in the area spotted him and brought his jeep under concentrated machine gun and high explosivefire. Undeterred Havildar Abdul Hamid kept on firing on yet another enemy tank with his recoilless gun. While doing so, he was mortally wounded by an enemy high explosive shell.

Havildar Abdul Hamid’s brave action inspired his comrades to put up a gallant fight and to beat back the heavy tank assault by the enemy. His complete disregard for his personal safety during the operation and his sustained acts of bravery in the face of constant enemy fire were a shining example not only to his unit but also to the whole division and were in the highest traditions of the Indian Army.

Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, PVC (17 July 1943-14 December 1971) was an officer of the Indian Air Force. He was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest military decoration, in recognition of his lone defence of Srinagar airbase against a Pakistani air raid during the Indo-Pak War of 1971.

During the Indo-Pak War of 1971, he was assigned to No. 18 Squadron, ‘The Flying Bullets’, flying the Folland Gnat fighter aircraft based at Srinagar. On 14 December 1971, Srinagar Airfield was attacked by six Pakistan Air Force F-86 jets. Flying Officer Sekhon was on readiness duty at that time. Soon the enemy aircraft attacked the airfield, strafing ground targets. Under heavy fire, he was able to take off6 in his Gnat and engage the Sabres.

In the ensuing air battle, Sekhon scored a direct hit on one Sabre8 and set another ablaze. The latter was seen heading away towards Rajauri, trailing smoke. The four remaining Sabres pressed the attack, and after a lengthy dog-fight at tree-top level, Sekhon’s aircraft was hit, and he was killed. The remaining Pakistani aircraft returned to Pakistan without pressing the attack.

The bravery, flying skill and determination10 displayed by Flying Officer Sekhon earned him India’s highest wartime medal for gallantry, the Param Vir Chakra. His skill was later praised in an article by Salim Baig Mirza, the pilot who shot him down.

Let’s Not Forget the Martyrs short Summary

Captain Vikram Batra PVC (9 September 1974-7 July 1999) was an officer of the Indian Army, posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest and prestigious award for valour, for his actions during the 1999 Kargil War in Kashmir between India and Pakistan.

Vikram Batra was born on 9 September 1974 in Ghuggar village near Palampur, Himachal Pradesh. He was selected to join the Indian Military Academy in Dehradunt in 1996 in Jessore Company of Manekshaw Battalion, and was commissioned in the Indian Army as a Lieutenant of the 13 Jammu & Kashmir Rifles at Sopore, in Jammu and Kashmir. He rose to the rank of Captain.

On 1 June 1999, his unit proceeded to the Kargil .Sector on the eruption of a warlike situation in Kargil, Drass and Batalik sub-sectors. He was sent along with his company on the first strategic and daring operation to recapture the first peak of utmost importance Point 5140, which was at an altitude-1 of 17,000 feet.

Captain Vikram Batra was given the task of recapturing Point 5140. Nicknamed Sher Shah (‘Lion King’) in Hindi for his courage, he decided to lead the rear, as an element of : surprise would help stupefy the enemy. He and his men ascended the sheer rock-cliff, but as the group neared the top, the enemy pinned them on the face of the bare cliff with machine-gun fire.

Captain Batra, along with five of his men, climbed up regardless of the heavy firing and after reaching the top, hurled two grenades at the machine-gun post. He single-handedly killed three enemy soldiers in close combat. He was seriously injured during this, but insisted on

regrouping his men to continue with the mission. Inspired by the courage displayed by Captain Batra, the other soldiers of 13 JAK Rifles charged the enemy position and captured Point 5140 at 3:30 a.m. on 20 June 1999. His company is credited with killing at least eight Pakistani soldiers and recovering a heavy machine gun.

The capture of Point 5140 set in motion a string of successes, such as Point 5100, Point 4700, Juction Peak and Three Pimples. Along with fellow Captain Anuj Nayyar, Batra led his men to victory with the recapture of Point 4750 and Point 4875.

He attained martyrdom when he tried to rescue an injured officer during an enemy counter attack against Point 4875 in the early morning hours of 7 July 1999. His last words were, “Jai Mata Di.” (Which means “Victory to the Mother Durga !”).
Kasturba Gandhi Summary

“The Earth is Not Ours” is a thought-provoking and impactful documentary that examines the pressing issues of environmental degradation and climate change. Through a combination of stunning visuals, expert interviews, and compelling storytelling, the film emphasizes the interconnectedness of all life on Earth and highlights the urgent need for global cooperation to address these challenges. Read More Class 11 English Summaries.

The Earth is Not Ours Summary

The Earth is Not Ours Summary in English:

This chapter contains the inaugural speech delivered by Kofi Annan, the then Secretary General of UNESCO, at the 55th session of the General Assembly in 2000. In his speech, Kofi Annan says that the world has become interconnected as it never before was. Groups and individuals can interact almost freely across borders. The entire world can be treated as the field of an activity. We can call it ‘globalisation’.

Globalisation is a new trend. It has its dangers as well as benefits. There can be an increase in crime, terrorism and smuggling of weapons and narcotics. But globalisation has a number of benefits also. It can lead to a better understanding between nations.

It can help us to tackle global issues more effectively. It can lead to new opportunities, faster growth and higher standard of living. Thus globalisation can help to fight the problem of poverty in the world. Then Kofi Annan groups global issues under three headings :

• Freedom from poverty
• Freedom from fear of wars
• Freedom for the future generations to survive on this planet.

First of all, Kofi Annan talks about freedom from poverty. He says that at present, half of the human race is living in poverty. Over a billion people don’t get even two meals a day. They don’t get safe drinking water. They have to live in very dirty conditions.

Kofi Annan wants the world to have freedom from poverty. Then he talks of freedom from fear of wars. Man has always been in the fear of wars. Previously, there were wars between states. But now there are internal wars. Different groups in a country fight among themselves.

Such wars result from unfair distribution of power and wealth. Most of the internal wars are fought in poor countries or in countries that are badly governed. In the last decade, more than five million lives were lost in internal wars. Many times that number were made homeless. We need freedom from this fear also.

Then he talks about the pollution and destruction of natural resources. Due to overconsumption, our forests, fisheries and various species of wildlife are being destroyed. An old wisdom says that the earth is not ours. It is a treasure we hold in trust for our descendants.

Therefore, we have no right to destroy our children’s heritage. We must preserve it with all care. But we are doing quite the opposite of it. We are plundering this treasure thoughtlessly. In the end of his speech, Kofi Annan says that the United Nations has a significant role to play to solve these problems.

The utility of the United Nations will be judged on how these problems are handled. The United Nations was founded in the name of common people. Therefore, it must listen to what the people are saying, “Our past achievements are not enough. We must do more, and do it better.”

The Earth is Not Ours Translation in English

In a partly symbolic gesture, in 1998, the General Assembly of the United Nations Organisation (UNO) decided that its fifty-fifth session would be designated?, ‘The Millennium Assembly of the United Nations’. This Millennium Summit was held from 6 to 8 September 2000.

The following passage is an extract from the inauguraf address given by Kofi Annan, the then Secretary General of the UNO. The Millennium might have been no more than an accident of the calendar. But you, the Governments and peoples of the world, have chosen to make it more than that an occasion for all humanity to celebrate, and to reflect.

If one word encapsulates the changes we are living through, it is ‘globalisation’. We live in a world that is interconnected as never before one in which groups and individuals interact more and more directly across State frontiers, often without involving the States at all.

This has its dangers, of course. Crime, narcotics, terrorism, disease, weapons all these move back and forth faster, and in greater numbers, than in the past. People feel threatened by events far away.

But the benefits of globalization are obvious too : faster growth, higher living standards, and new opportunities not only for individuals but also for a better understanding between nations, and for common action

One problem is that, at present, these opportunities are far from equally distributed. How can we say that the half of the human race, which has yet to make or receive a telephone call, let alone use a computer, is taking part in globalization ? We cannot, without insulting their poverty.

The overarching challenge of our times is to make globalization mean more than bigger markets. To make a success of this great upheaval we must learn how to govern better, and, above all, how to govern better together.

What are these global issues? I have grouped them under three headings, each of which I relate to a fundamental’ human freedom freedom from want, freedom from fear, and the freedom of future generations to sustain-1 their lives on this planet.

First, freedom from want. How can we call human beings free and equal in dignity when over a billion of them are struggling to survive on less than one dollar a day, without safe drinking water, and when half of all humanity lacks adequate sanitation ?

Some of us are worrying about whether the stock market will crash, or struggling to master our latest computer, while more than half of our fellow men and women have much more basic worries, such as where their children’s next meal is coming from.

The second main heading is freedom from fear. Wars between States are mercifully less frequent than they used to be. But in the last decade internal wars have claimed more than five million lives, and driven many times.

that number of people from their homes. Moreover, we still live under the shadow of weapons of mass destruction. We must do more to prevent conflicts happening at all. Most conflicts happen in poor countries, especially those which are badly governed or where power and wealth are very unfairly distributed between ethnic or religious groups.

So the best way to prevent conflict is to promote political arrangements in which all groups are fairly represented, combined with human rights, minority rights, and broad-based economic development.

The third fundamental freedom is one that is not clearly identified in the United Nations Charter, because in 1945 our founders could scarcely imagine that it would ever be threatened. I mean the freedom of future generations to sustain their lives on this planet.

Even now, many of us have not understood how seriously that freedom is threatened. If I could sum it up in one sentence, I should say we are plundering our children’s heritage to pay for our present unsustainable practices.

We must preserve our forests, fisheries , and the diversity of living species, all of which are close to collapsing under the pressure of human consumption and destruction. In short, we need a new ethic of stewardship.

Summary The Earth is Not Ours

We need a much better informed public, and we need to take environmental costs and benefits fully into account in our economic policy decisions. We need regulations and incentivest discourage pollution and over-consumption of non-renewable resources, and to encourage environment-friendly practices.

And we need more accurate scientific data. Above all we need to remember the old African wisdom which I learned as a child that the earth is not ours. It is a treasure we hold in trust for our descendants

Those are the. problems and the tasks which affect the everyday lives of our peoples. It is on how we handle them that the utility of the United Nations will be judged. If we lose sight of the point the United Nations will have little or no role to play in the twenty-first century.

Let us never forget, that our organisation was founded in the name of “We, the peoples”. We are at the service of the worlds peoples, and we must listen to them. They are telling us that our past achievements are not enough. They are telling us we must do more, and do it better.
O Light! Summary

In summary, Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji was a visionary spiritual leader who founded Sikhism and spread a message of love, equality, and devotion to God. His life and teachings have left an enduring impact on Sikh philosophy and continue to inspire people of diverse backgrounds to lead ethical and spiritually fulfilling lives. Read More Class 10 Hindi Summaries.

श्री गुरु नानक देव जी Summary In Hindi

गुरु नानक देव जी का जीवन परिचय

डॉ० सुखविंदर कौर बाठ का जन्म सन् 1962 ई० में पंजाब के गुरदासपुर जिले के छिछरेवाला गाँव में हुआ था। इन्होंने अपनी प्रारंभिक शिक्षा गाँव में ही प्राप्त की थी। इन्होंने अमृतसर से एम० ए०, एम० फिल०, पी-एच० डी० तथा डी० लिट की उपाधियाँ प्राप्त की। इनके पिता देश की सीमाओं के रक्षक थे इसलिए वे प्रायः बाहर ही रहते थे। इनकी शिक्षा और साहित्यिक रुचियों को जगाने वाली इनकी माता जी ही थीं। ‘गुरु तेग़ बहादुर जी की वाणी : संदर्भ और विश्लेषण’ इन का शोध-विषय था। इन्हें पंजाबी लोक-जीवन से विशेष लगाव रहा है। इसी कारण इन्होंने पंजाबी भाषा, संस्कृति, लोक-जीवन, लोक-गीतों आदि पर बहुत कार्य किया है। आप पंजाबी विश्वविद्यालय, पटियाला के पत्राचार विभाग में प्राध्यापक के रूप में कार्यरत हैं।

डॉ० सुखविन्दर कौर बाठ की प्रमुख रचनाएं ‘पंजाब के संस्कार गत लोक-गीतों का विश्लेषणात्मक अध्ययन’, ‘पंजाबी लोक रंग’, ‘गुरु तेग़ बहादुर की वाणी : संदर्भ और विश्लेषण’ आदि हैं। हिसार से प्रकाशित ‘पंजाबी संस्कृति’ की आप अतिथि संपादिका हैं। आपने शिव कुमार बटालवी की रचना ‘लूणा’ का देवनागरी में लिप्यंत्रण भी किया है। आपके निबंधों की भाषा सहज, सरल तथा बोधगम्य है।

श्री गुरु नानक देव जी पाठ का सार

डॉ० सुखविंदर कौर बाठ द्वारा रचित लेख ‘श्री गुरु नानक देव जी’ में लेखिका ने अवतारी महापुरुष श्री गुरु नानक देव जी के जीवन के विविध पक्षों पर प्रकाश डाला है। उन्होंने उनके उपदेशों को समस्त मानवता के लिए शुभ एवं हितकारी माना है।

श्री गुरु नानक देव जी के जन्म के समय देश की दशा बहुत खराब थी। लोग अनेक बुराइयों में फंस कर भिन्नभिन्न जातियों, धर्मों, सम्प्रदायों आदि में बंट गए थे। समाज रूढ़ियों तथा आडंबरों से ग्रस्त था। अनेक संतों ने अपने शुष्क तथा कट उपदेशों से लोगों को इन बुराइयों के लिए लताड़ कर अपने से नाराज़ कर दिया परंतु गुरु नानक देव जी ने अपनी कोमल वाणी से सब को अपने वश में करके समार्ग पर चलने की राह दिखायी।

पंजाब में भक्ति-आंदोलन को प्रारंभ करने वाले श्री गुरु नानक देव जी का जन्म शेखूपुरा जिले के तलवंडी गांव (पाकिस्तान) में सन् 1469 ई० को हुआ था। आपके पिता का नाम श्री मेहता कालू जी तथा माता का नाम तृप्ता देवी जी था। आप की एक बहन थी जिसका नामक नानकी था। सात वर्ष की आयु में आपको पाठशाला में पांडे जी से पढ़ने के लिए जाना पड़ा। इनके बाद आपने मौलवी सैय्यद हुसैन और पंडित ब्रजनाथ से भी शिक्षा प्राप्त की।

छोटी-सी आयु में ही आपने पंजाबी, अरबी, फारसी, संस्कृत आदि भाषाओं का ज्ञान प्राप्त कर लिया। आपके पिता ने आप को सांसारिक व्यापारों में लगाना चाहा लेकिन आप का मन उसमें नहीं लगा। आप अठारह वर्षों तक अनेक मतों को मानने वाले साधुओं की संगति में रहे। उनसे भारतीय धर्म शास्त्रों की शिक्षा प्राप्त की। इसी समय आपने बीस रुपए से भूखे साधुओं को खाना खिला कर सच्चा सौदा किया। आपको गृहस्थ में बांधने के लिए आपके पिता ने आपका विवाह माता सुलक्खनी जी से कर दिया। आप की दो सन्तानें लखमीदास और श्री चन्द थीं।।

सुल्तानपुर में रहते हुए आप को शासन के अत्याचारों, धार्मिक आडंबरों, कर्मकांडों, अंधविश्वासों आदि का पता चला तो बहुत व्याकुल हो गए। आप वेई नदी में प्रवेश कर के तीन दिन तक आलोप रहे। जब आप प्रकट हुए तो आप की वाणी ने उच्चारण किया ‘न कोई हिन्दू न मुसलमान।’

श्री गुरु नानक देव जी ने सन् 1499 ई० से 1522 ई० तक चार उदासियाँ अर्थात् चार यात्रायें चारों दिशाओं में आसाम, लंका, ताशकंद, मक्का-मदीना आदि तक की थीं। इन यात्राओं में आपने सद्मार्ग से भटके हुए सभी वर्ग के लोगों को सद्मार्ग पर चलने का उपदेश दिया था। योगियों, सिद्धों, नेताओं, हिंदुओं और मुसलमानों सब को आपने सहज, सरल और मीठी निरंकारी भाषा से सहज धर्म पालन करने का उपदेश दिया।
उस युग के लोग आडंबरों, करामातों, तंत्र-मंत्र, चमत्कारों आदि में बहुत विश्वास रखते थे। आपने भोली-भाली जनता को उपदेश देकर सही मार्ग दिखाया।

श्री गुरु नानक देव जी के समय में शासन की दशा बहुत दयनीय थी। शासक जनता का शोषण करते थे। उनके वज़ीर भी कुत्तों के समान जनता का शोषण कर रहे थे। इस कारण आप ने अपनी वाणी में कहा है-

‘राजे सीहं मुकदम कुत्ते जाए जगाइन बैठे सुत्ते।’
आपने ऐसे जुल्मी शासन में दलित लोगों की सहायता की। इसलिए भाई गुरदास ने इसी कारण लिखा है-‘सुनी पुकार दातार प्रभु, गुरु नानक जगि माहिं पठाइया।’

श्री गुरु नानक देव जी एक श्रेष्ठ कवि तथा संगीताचार्य भी थे। ‘आदिग्रंथ’ में आपके 974 पद तथा 2 श्लोक संकलित हैं। आप ने इसमें उन्नीस रागों का प्रयोग किया है। इन पदों में सृष्टि, जीव और ब्रह्म, अकाल पुरुष, नाम सिमरण आदि विषयों पर चर्चा की गई है। इन पदों के अतिरिक्त आपने ‘जपुजी’ की रचना की है जिसमें सिक्ख सिद्धांतों का सार मिलता है। आपकी अन्य रचनाएँ ‘आसा दी वार’, सिद्ध गोसटि, दक्खनी ऊँकार, बारहमाह, पहरे-तिथि, सुचज्जि कुचन्जि, आरती आदि हैं। इनकी वाणी श्लोक, पद, अष्टपदियाँ, सोहले, छंद आदि के रूप में हैं। इनकी वाणी शैली पक्ष से अनूठी है।

श्री गुरु नानक देव जी ने सांसारिक ईर्ष्या, द्वेष, वैर आदि को मिटाने तथा प्रेम, समानता, सरलता आदि अपनाने का संदेश दिया है। इस कारण आप युग निर्माता तथा समाज सुधारक भी माने जाते हैं। वास्तव में आप ने अपने उपदेशों के द्वारा एक ऐसे धर्म का बीज बो दिया जो आगे चलकर सिक्ख धर्म के रूप में विशाल वृक्ष बन कर प्रसिद्ध हुआ। जीवन के अंतिम वर्ष आपने करतारपुर में सद्-उपदेश देते हुए व्यतीत किए थे। सन् 1539 ई० में आप ज्योति-ज्योत समा गए थे। आप ने कर्मकांडों, बहुदेव पूजन आदि को नकारते हुए एक परमेश्वर की पूजा करने का उपदेश दिया था।

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“Thele Par Himalaya” suggests a stark contrast or an unlikely combination, as if one were trying to transport the colossal Himalayas on a simple cart. It may be used to describe a situation where something ambitious or extraordinary is being attempted using limited resources or means. Read More Class 10 Hindi Summaries.

ठेले पर हिमालय Summary In Hindi

ठेले पर हिमालय लेखक परिचय

डॉ० धर्मवीर भारती आधुनिक हिन्दी-साहित्य के प्रमुख साहित्यकार थे। उनका जन्म 25 दिसम्बर, सन् 1926 ई० में इलाहाबाद में हुआ था। उन्होंने इलाहाबाद विश्वविद्यालय से एम० ए० तथा पीएच० डी० की उपाधियां प्राप्त की थीं। वे इलाहाबाद विश्वविद्यालय में हिंदी-प्राध्यापक भी रहे। वे साप्ताहिक पत्रिका ‘धर्मयुग’ के प्रधान सम्पादक भी रहे। उनकी साहित्यिक सेवाओं के उपलक्ष्य में भारत सरकार ने सन् 1972 में उन्हें पदम श्री से सुशोभित किया।

रचनाएँ- डॉ० धर्मवीर भारती बहुमुखी प्रतिभा के कलाकार थे। उन्होंने गद्य एवं पद्य दोनों क्षेत्रों में अपनी लेखनी चलाई। उनकी रचनाओं का उल्लेख इस प्रकार है-
कहानी संग्रह- स्वर्ग और पृथ्वी, चाँद और टूटे हुए लोग, मुर्दो का गाँव, बंद गली का आखिरी मकान, सांस की कलम से।
काव्य रचनाएं- सात गीत वर्ष, कनु प्रिया, ठंडा लोहा, सपना अभी भी। उपन्यास-सूरज का सातवां घोड़ा, ग्यारह सपनों का देश, गुनाहों का देवता, प्रारंभ व समापन। निबंध-संग्रह-कहानी-अनकहनी, ठेले पर हिमालय, पश्यंती। काव्य-नाटक-अंधायुग। आलोचना-प्रगतिवाद : एक समीक्षा, मानव मूल्य और साहित्य। विशेषताएँ-धर्मवीर भारती जी के काव्य में दार्शनिक तत्व की प्रधानता है। निबंधों एवं कथा-साहित्य में उन्होंने सामाजिक एवं मनोवैज्ञानिक समस्याओं का चित्रण किया है।
भाषा- धर्मवीर भारती जी की भाषा प्राय: सरल एवं सहज है। उनके साहित्यिक निबंधों की भाषा का स्तर स्वयं ही ऊँचा उठ गया है। अपने वर्णनात्मक निबंधों में उन्होंने तत्सम शब्दों तथा छोटे-छोटे वाक्यों को प्रमुखता दी है।

ठेले पर हिमालय पाठ का सार

‘ठेले पर हिमालय’ डॉ० धर्मवीर भारती का प्रमुख यात्रा वृत्तांत है। इस में लेखक ने पर्वतराज, हिम सम्राट हिमालय का सजीव एवं अनूठा चित्रण किया है। लेखक अपने शब्दों के माध्यम से पाठकों को उस हिमालय पर्वत के समीप ले जाता है जहां बादल ऊपर से नीचे उतर रहे थे और एक-एक कर नए शिखरों की हिम रेखाएं अनावृत हो रही थीं। इसमें लेखक ने अद्भुत प्राकृतिक सौंदर्य का चित्रण करते हुए पर्वतीय स्थानों के प्रति आकर्षण जगाने का प्रयास किया है।

लेखक अपने मित्रों शुक्ल, सेन आदि के साथ अलमोड़ा की यात्रा पर गए। वे वहाँ से केवल बर्फ़ को निकट से देखने के लिए ही कौसानी गए थे। वे नैनीताल से रानीखेत और रानीखेत से मझकाली के भयानक मोड़ों को पार करते हुए कोसी पहुँचे। यह रास्ता सूखा और कुरूप था किंतु कोसी से आगे का दृश्य बिल्कुल अलग था।

सुडौल पत्थरों पर कलकल करती हुई कोसी, किनारे पर छोटे-छोटे सुंदर गाँव और हरे मखमली खेत यहाँ सोमेश्वर की घाटी बहुत सुंदर थी। इस घाटी के उत्तर की पर्वतमाला ऊँची है। इसके शिखर पर कौसानी बसा हुआ है। कौसानी के बस अड्डे पर जब लेखक बस से उतरा तो अपार सौन्दर्य को देखकर पत्थर की मूर्ति-सा स्तब्ध खड़ा रह गया।

पर्वतमाला ने अपने आंचल में कत्यूर की रंग-बिरंगी घाटी छिपा रखी थी। चारों तरफ अद्भुत सौंदर्य महक रहा था। इसी घाटी के पार पर्वतराज हिमालय दिखाई पड़ा, जिसे बादलों ने ढक रखा था। शुक्ल, सेन आदि सभी ने इस दृश्य को देखा पर अचानक वह लुप्त हो गया। इस हिम दर्शन ने लेखक तथा उसके मित्रों पर एक जादू-सा कर दिया। इसे देख सारी खिन्नता, निराशा और थकावट छू मंतर हो गई। तत्पश्चात् सभी हिम-दर्शन कर इंतजार करने लगे किन्तु डाक बंगले के खानसामे ने बताया कि वे खुशकिस्मत है जो उन्हें अचानक ही हिमालय के दर्शन हो गए थे। इससे पहले चौदह पर्यटक हफ्ते भर इंतज़ार करते रहे थे लेकिन उन्हें हिमालय के दर्शन नहीं हुए थे।

लेखक अपने मित्रों के साथ बरामदे में बैठकर अपलक हिमालय के दर्शनों का इंतज़ार करता रहा। सूर्य डूबने लगा और धीरे-धीरे ग्लेशिमरों में पिघला केसर बहने लगा। बर्फ कमल के लाल फूलों में बदल गई तथा घाटियां गहरी पीली हो गईं। अंधेरा होने लगा तो लेखक अपने मित्रों के साथ उठ गया। वे सभी मायूस होकर आत्मलीन हो गए। दूसरे दिन वे घाटी में उतरकर मीलों दूर बैजनाथ पहुँच गए। वहाँ गोमती की उज्ज्वल जलराशि में हिमालय की बर्फीली चोटियों की छाया तैरती हुई दिखाई दे रही थी।

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Dr. Rajendra Prasad was a prominent leader in the Indian independence movement and played a vital role in shaping the nation’s destiny. His tenure as the first President of India and his contributions to education and governance have left an indelible mark on the country’s history. Read More Class 10 Hindi Summaries.

राजेंद्र बाबू Summary In Hindi

राजेंद्र बाबू का जीवन परिचय

जीवन परिचय– छायावादी काव्य के चार प्रमुख कवियों में से एक मात्र कवयित्री महादेवी वर्मा का जन्म होली के दिन सन् 1907 में उत्तर प्रदेश के फर्रुखाबाद कस्बे में हुआ। इनकी आरंभिक शिक्षा इंदौर में हुई। मिडल की परीक्षा में सारे प्रांत में प्रथम आई थीं। इन्होंने प्रयाग विश्वविद्यालय से संस्कृत में एम० ए० किया। कुछ समय बाद ही उनकी नियुक्ति प्रयाग महिला विद्यापीठ में ही हो गई। इन्हें इसी संस्थान की प्राचार्य के पद पर कार्य करने का भी सौभाग्य प्राप्त हुआ। गाँधीवादी विचारधारा तथा बौद्ध दर्शन ने महादेवी को काफ़ी प्रभावित किया। स्वाधीनता आंदोलन में भी महादेवी वर्मा ने बढ़-चढ़ कर भाग लिया। उन्होंने कुछ वर्षों तक ‘चाँद’ नामक पत्रिका का संपादन कार्य कुशलतापूर्वक किया। 11 सितंबर, सन् 1987 को इनका देहावसान हो गया।

रचनाएँ– महादेवी वर्मा की मुख्य रचनाएँ निम्नलिखित हैंकाव्य
संग्रह– ‘निहार’, ‘रश्मि’, ‘नीरजा’, ‘सांध्यगीत’, दीपशिखा, ‘प्रथम आयाम’, ‘अग्नि रेखा’।
गद्य रचनाएँ-‘पथ के साथी’, ‘अतीत के चलचित्र’, ‘स्मृति की रेखाएँ’, ‘श्रृंखला की कड़ियाँ’, ‘मेरा परिवार और चिंतन के क्षण’।

‘यामा’ पर उन्हें ‘भारतीय ज्ञानपीठ’ पुरस्कार प्राप्त हुआ तथा भारत सरकार ने उन्हें सन् 1956 में ‘पद्मभूषण अलंकरण’ से सम्मानित किया।

महादेवी वर्मा छायावाद की प्रमुख स्तंभ हैं। उनके काव्य में जन-जागरण की चेतना के साथ स्वतंत्रता की कामना भी अभिव्यक्त की गई है। उन्होंने भारतीय समाज में नारी पराधीनता के यथार्थ और स्वतंत्रता की विवेचना की है। नारी के दुःख, वेदना और करुणा की त्रिवेणी ने महादेवी को अन्य कवियों से अधिक संवेदनशील एवं भावुक बना दिया है। अपनी प्रेमानुभूति में उन्होंने अज्ञात एवं असीम प्रेमी को संबोधित किया है। इसलिए आलोचकों ने उसकी कविता में रहस्यवाद को खोजा है। अपने आराध्य प्रियतम के प्रति महादेवी वर्मा ने दुःख की अनुभूति के साथ करुणा का बोध भी अभिव्यक्त किया है।

महादेवी वर्मा एक सफल गद्यकार हैं। उन्होंने गद्य कृतियों में नारी स्वतंत्रता, असहाय चेतना और कमजोर वर्ग के प्रति संवेदनशील अनुभूतियाँ अभिव्यक्त की हैं। उन्होंने सामान्य मानवीय संवेदनाओं को अपने साहित्य की मूल प्रवृत्ति बनाया है।

राजेंद्र बाबू पाठ का सारांश

लेखिका श्रीमती महादेवी वर्मा ने राजेंद्र बाब को पहली बार पटना स्टेशन पर देखा। प्रथम दृष्टि में उनकी जो आकृति लेखिका की स्मृति पटल पर अंकित हुई, वह वर्षों के पश्चात् भी यथावत् बनी हुई थी। काले घने कटे हुए बाल, चौड़ा मुख, बड़ी-बड़ी आँखें, गेहुँआ वर्ण, बड़ी-बड़ी ग्रामीणों जैसी मूछे, लंबा कदकाठ ग्रामीणों की-सी वेश-भूषा, सिर पर गाँधी टोपी पहने हुए राजेंद्र बाबू का व्यक्तित्व बरबस हर व्यक्ति को अपनी ओर आकर्षित कर लेता था।

न केवल आकृति, शारीरिक गठन और वेश-भूषा में ही, अपितु अपने स्वभाव और रहन-सहन में भी वे एक सामान्य भारतीय का प्रतिनिधित्व करते थे। प्रतिभा और बुद्धि की विशिष्टता के साथ उनकी संवेदनशीलता भी उनके सामान्य व्यक्तित्व को गरिमामयी बना देती थी। राजेंद्र बाबू की वेश-भूषा और अपनी इस अस्त-व्यस्तता वास्तव में उनकी व्यवस्था का ही परिणाम होती थी और अपनी इस अस्त-व्यवस्ता के प्रकट होने की स्थिति में वे भूल करने वाले किसी बालक की तरह ही सिमट जाते थे।

लेखिका को राजेंद्र बाबू के संपर्क में आने का अवसर सन् 1937 में मिला, जब कांग्रेस के अध्यक्ष के रूप में बाबू जी ने महिला विद्यापीठ के महाविद्यालय के भवन की नींव डाली। तभी उन्होंने अपनी पौत्रियों की शिक्षा-व्यवस्था के लिए महादेवी से आग्रह किया और उन्हें विद्यापीठ के छात्रावास में भर्ती करवा दिया। इसी बीच लेखिका का परिचय राजेंद्र बाबू की पत्नी से हुआ जो स्वभाव की बहुत सरल, सीधी-सादी, क्षमाशील और ममत्व की मूर्ति थीं। एक ज़मींदार परिवार की वधू और महान् स्वतंत्रता सेनानी की पत्नी होने पर भी उनमें अहंकार लेशमात्र भी न था। छात्रावास की बालिकाओं तथा नौकर-चाकरों पर वह समान रूप से अपने स्नेह की वर्षा करती थीं।

राजेंद्र बाबू भी सभी छात्राओं को स्नेहपूर्ण दृष्टि से देखते थे। यही नहीं उन्होंने अपनी पौत्रियों को भी सामान्य बालिकाओं के साथ सादगी एवं संयम से रहने का पाठ पढ़ाया था। वे उनमें अहंकार की भावना न देखना चाहते थे। इसलिए भारत के राष्ट्रपति बनने पर भी उन्होंने अपनी पोतियों को पहले की तरह ही सादगीपूर्ण रहते हुए कर्मनिष्ठ बनने की शिक्षा दी थी। राजेंद्र बाबू की पत्नी में भी कोई परिवर्तन न आया था। राष्ट्रपति भवन में रहते हुए भी वह एक सामान्य भारतीय नारी की तरह जीवन यापन करती थीं।

एक दिन जब महादेवी दिल्ली आने का विशेष निमंत्रण पाकर राष्ट्रपति-भवन पहुँची, तो वहाँ उनका खूब अतिथिसत्कार हुआ। भोजन के समय राजेंद्र बाबू और उनकी पत्नी का उपवास होने के कारण महादेवी को उनके साथ फलाहार लेना उचित लगा। उस दिन भारत के प्रथम राष्ट्रपति को सामान्य आसन पर बैठ कर दिन भर के उपवास के उपरान्त कुछ उबले हुए आलू खाकर पेट भरते देखकर लेखिका को आश्चर्य हुआ और उन्होंने उनके चेहरे पर संतोष की एक झलक महसूस की। वास्तव में जीवन मूल्य की सच्ची पहचान रखने वाले वे एक महान् व्यक्ति थे, जिन्हें ‘देशरत्न’ (भारत रत्न) की उपाधि दी गई। स्वभाव की इसी सरलता से उनके जीवन में कोई शत्रु नहीं था।

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“Main Aur Mera Desh Nibandh”, the author may discuss various aspects of their country, such as its culture, history, traditions, achievements, challenges, and their personal experiences and feelings towards it. The essay may also reflect the author’s patriotism, pride, and sense of belonging to their nation. Read More Class 10 Hindi Summaries.

मैं और मेरा देश Summary In Hindi

मैं और मेरा देश लेखक परिचय

शरी कन्हैया लाल मिश्र ‘प्रभाकर’ आधुनिक युग के प्रमुख गद्य लेखक हैं। उनका जन्म सन् 1906 में सहारनपुर जिले के देवबन्द ग्राम में हुआ था। प्रभाकर जी की रुचि सामाजिक कार्यों में थी, जिसके परिणामस्वरूप वे राष्ट्रीय आंदोलन में भी बढ़-चढ़ कर भाग लेने लगे। आप सद्वृत्तियों एवं सामाजिक तथा राष्ट्रीय भावनाओं को जगाने वाले लेखक हैं। पत्रकारिता में आपकी विशेष रुचि है। आपने विकास, ज्ञानोदय तथा नया जीवन जैसी लोकप्रिय पत्रिकाओं का सम्पादन तथा संचालन किया।

प्रमुख रचनाएँ निम्नलिखित हैं-
रेखाचित्र- नई पीढ़ी नए विचार, ज़िंदगी मुस्कराई, माटी हो गई सोना। निबंध संग्रह-बाजे पायलिया के धुंघरू। लघु कथा संग्रह-आकाश के तारे, धरती के फूल। संस्मरणात्मक रेखाचित्र-दीप जले, शंख बजे । रिपोर्ताज-क्षण बोले, कण मुस्काए, महके आंगन चहके द्वार।

इनकी रचनाओं पर इनके व्यक्तित्व की स्पष्ट छाप है। व्यावहारिक पक्ष की प्रबलता ने इनकी रचनाओं को प्रभावशाली बना दिया है। व्यंग्यात्मक शैली के कारण इनकी रचनाओं में रोचकता का समावेश है। इनकी रचनाएँ देशभक्ति की भावना से परिपूर्ण हैं। इनके साहित्य में देशभक्ति का स्वर सुनाई देता है। इनकी भाषा सरल तथा व्यावहारिक है।

मैं और मेरा देश पाठ का सारांश

‘मैं और मेरा देश’ शीर्षक निबंध के रचयिता श्री कन्हैया लाल मिश्र ‘प्रभाकर’ हैं। इस निबंध के माध्यम से उन्होंने पराधीन देश और स्वाधीन देश का अंतर स्पष्ट करते हुए देश-प्रेम की शिक्षा दी है। एक नागरिक के रूप में जहां हमारे अधिकार हैं वहां कुछ कर्त्तव्य भी हैं। इन दोनों के बीच में समन्वय की ज़रूरत है।

पराधीनता का दर्द-लेखक की मान्यता है कि वह अपने घर में जन्मा, पला और आस-पड़ोस में खेल-कूद कर बड़ा हुआ है। अपने नगर के लोगों से मिलजुल कर उनका सम्मान करते हुए उनसे सम्मान पाता रहा है। वह सदा एकदूसरे के काम आया है तथा अन्य भी उसकी सहायता करते रहे हैं। इस प्रकार उसे लगता था कि वह पूर्ण रूप से संतुष्ट व्यक्ति है, किंतु एक दिन उसके इस आनंद में बाधा पड़ गयी जब उसे यह पता चला कि पराधीन व्यक्ति की स्थिति बड़ी हीन होती है। इसका पता लेखक को लाला लाजपतराय द्वारा व्यक्त किए गए अनुभव से चला।

लाला जी का अनुभव यह था, ‘मैं अमेरिका गया, इंग्लैंड गया, फ्रांस गया और संसार के दूसरे देशों में भी घूमा, पर जहां भी मैं गया भारतवर्ष की गुलामी की लज्जा का कलंक मेरे माथे पर लगा रहा।’ इस कथन ने लेखक को झकझोर दिया। वह इस निष्कर्ष पर पहुंचा कि जब तक देश स्वतंत्र नहीं तब तक सब प्रकार की सुख-सुविधाएं व्यर्थ हैं। नागरिक को कोई भी ऐसा कार्य नहीं करना चाहिए जिससे उसके देश की स्वतंत्रता अथवा देश के सम्मान को धक्का पहुंचे। नागरिक भी देश के सम्मान का अधिकारी है।

देश का गौरव कैसे बढ़ायें-हर एक व्यक्ति अपने देश के गौरव को बढ़ाने में अपना योगदान दे सकता है। यह सोचना कि एक व्यक्ति देश के लिए क्या कर सकता है, गलत ढंग से सोचना है। जहां युद्ध में लड़ने वालों का महत्त्व है वहां युद्ध में सामग्री पहुंचाने वालों तथा उस सामग्री का उत्पादन करने वालों का भी महत्त्व है। किसान खेती न उपजाए तो रसद पहुंचाने वाले क्या कर सकते हैं? इतना ही नहीं, युद्ध में जय बोलने वालों का भी महत्त्व होता है।

‘जय’ का नारा सुनकर लड़ने वालों में जोश और उत्साह का भाव तीव्र होता है, जिससे वे अपनी सामर्थ्य से भी अधिक काम कर दिखाते हैं। दर्शकों की तालियां खिलाड़ियों को उत्साहित करती हैं। कवि सम्मेलनों तथा मुशायरों की अधिकांश सफलता तारीफ करने वालों पर निर्भर करती है। अतः साधारण-से-साधारण नागरिक अपने देश के लिए बहुत कुछ कर सकता है। कहावत प्रसिद्ध है कि ‘अकेला चना भाड़ नहीं फोड़ सकता।’ पर इतिहास इस बात का साक्षी है कि अनेक बार अकेले व्यक्ति ने भी बहुत बड़ा चमत्कार कर दिखाया है।

देशभक्ति का उदाहरण-एक बार महान् संत स्वामी रामतीर्थ जापान गए। वे रेल में यात्रा कर रहे थे। एक दिन उन्हें खाने के लिए फल न मिले। उन दिनों वे फलाहारी थे। फल न मिलने पर उनके मुँह से निकला-‘जापान में शायद अच्छे फल नहीं मिलते।’ एक जापानी युवक ने स्वामी जी की यह बात सुन ली। वह युवक अपनी पत्नी को रेल में बिठाने आया था। वह दौड़ कर कहीं दूर से फलों का ताज़ा टोकरा लेकर आया और स्वामी जी को भेंट कर दिया। स्वामी जी ने उसे उन फलों का मूल्य देना चाहा पर उस युवक ने कहा-‘आप इनका मूल्य देना ही चाहते हैं तो वह यह है कि आप अपने देश में जाकर किसी से यह न कहिएगा कि जापान में अच्छे फल नहीं मिलते।’ युवक के इस देशप्रेम ने स्वामी जी का मन मोह लिया।

देश को कलंकित करने का उदाहरण- एक अन्य घटना भी सुनिए-किसी दूसरे देश का निवासी एक युवक जापान में शिक्षा प्राप्त करने के लिए गया। उसने एक सरकारी पुस्तकालय की एक पुस्तक में से कुछ दुर्लभ चित्र निकाल लिये। किसी जापानी युवक ने उसकी इस हरकत को देख लिया। उसने पुस्तकालयाध्यक्ष को इसकी सूचना दे दी। पुलिस ने उस विद्यार्थी के कमरे की तलाशी ली और चित्र प्राप्त कर लिए। उस विद्यार्थी को जापान से निकाल दिया गया। उस विद्यार्थी के अपराध ने अपने सारे देश को बदनाम कर दिया। पुस्तकालय के बाहर बोर्ड पर लिख दिया गया कि उस देश का कोई निवासी इस पुस्तकालय में प्रवेश नहीं कर सकता।

कमालपाशा की महानता-इससे स्पष्ट है कि एक व्यक्ति की अच्छाई जहां देश को ऊंचा उठाती है वहां उसकी चरित्रहीनता पूरे देश के गौरव को हानि भी पहुंचाती है। लेखक का अनुभव है कि अच्छी भावना से किया गया छोटेसे-छोटा कार्य भी देश के लिए लाभकारी होता है। कमालपाशा अपने देश तुर्की के राष्ट्रपति थे। राजधानी में उनकी वर्षगांठ का उत्सव मनाया गया। उत्सव की समाप्ति पर जब वे अपने कक्ष में पहुंचे तो उस समय एक बूढ़ा वर्षगांठ का उपहार लेकर आया। राष्ट्रपति को इसकी सूचना भेजी गई।

वह बूढ़ा तीस मील की दूरी से पैदल चल कर आया था। राष्ट्रपति विश्राम के वस्त्रों में ही नीचे आए। उन्होंने बूढ़े किसान का उपहार स्वीकार किया। यह उपहार मिट्टी की हंडिया में पाव-भर शहद था। कमालपाशा ने उस हांडी को खोला। दो उंगलियां शहद की चाटीं। तीसरी उंगली शहद भर कर बूढ़े के मुँह में दे दी। बूढ़ा धन्य हो गया। इतना ही नहीं राष्ट्रपति ने उस उपहार को सर्वोत्तम उपहार बताया। बूढे को राष्ट्रपति की शाही कार में शाही सम्मान के साथ उसके गाँव भेज दिया गया।

नेहरू जी की सरलता-हमारे देश में भी एक किसान ने रंगीन सूतलियों से एक खाट बुनी और उसे अपने कन्धों पर उठा कर प्रधानमंत्री श्री जवाहर लाल नेहरू की कोठी में पहुंचा और पंडित जी से उस खाट को स्वीकार करने की प्रार्थना की। पंडित जी ने उस खाट वाले की भावना का इतना सम्मान किया कि उसे अपने दस्तखत से युक्त अपनी एक फोटो भेंट में दे दी।

हम कैसे कार्य करें-हम जो भी काम करें वह देश के अनुकूल हों। कभी भी और किसी भी स्थान पर अपने देश की निन्दा नहीं करनी चाहिए और न ही अपने देश को दूसरे देशों से हीन समझना चाहिए। अपने देश की निंदा करना अथवा उसे हीन कहना अपने देश के शक्ति-बोध को भयंकर चोट पहुंचाना है। इससे देश के सामूहिक मानसिक बल को चोट पहुंचती है। शल्य महाबली कर्ण का सारथि था। जब कभी कर्ण अपने पक्ष की विजय की घोषणा करता तभी वह (शल्य) अर्जुन की अजेयता का उल्लेख भी कर देता। इस तरह उसने कर्ण के आत्म-विश्वास में दरार डाल दी। इस दरार ने कर्ण की पराजय की नींव डाल दी।

मतदान अवश्य करें-सफ़ाई की ओर उचित ध्यान देना, किसी सार्वजनिक स्थान को गंदा न करना भी देश-भक्ति का एक रूप है। यदि हम चाहते हैं कि अपने देश का सब काम ढंग से चल सके तो हम अपने मत का उचित प्रयोग करें। अतः प्रत्येक नागरिक का यह कर्त्तव्य है कि जब भी कोई चुनाव हो वह अपने मत का महत्त्व समझे और यह मान कर चले कि उनके मत को प्राप्त किए बिना महान्-से-महान् व्यक्ति भी अधिकारी नहीं बन सकता। इस विचार से हम अपने देश को ऊँचा उठा सकते हैं।

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