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SCERT Class 8 English Lesson 8
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Chandraprabha Saikiani
Lesson 3
ACTIVITIES
Q. 1. Answer the following questions from the lesson to check your comprehension:
(a) Who was Chandraprabha Saikiani?
Answer— Chandraprabha Saikiani was a renowned social reformer from Assam who fought to make formal education available for girls.
(b) What did Chandraprabha do to educate the girls of her village?
Answer— Chandraprabha gathered the girls of her village after school and teach them what she had learnt during the day.
(c) Which two incidents show us how Chandraprabha fought for the rights of girls?
Answer— In those days, girls were not admitted into the hostel without being converted to Christianity. Chandraprabha Saikiani’s strong protest against this system compelled the authorities to allow all girls to avail the hostel facilities.
There was a custom in Assam in those days that women had to sit up behind a bamboo screen in public meetings. She demanded the removal of this kind of custom. She also formed the first women’s organisation, “Assam Pradeshik Mahila Samiti” to work dedicatedly for the rights of the women.
(d) On what occasion did Chandraprabha Saikiani inspire women to come out from behind the bamboo screen?
Answer— In the Assam Sahitya Sabha session held in 1925 at Nagaon district, Chandraprabha Saikiani delivered a very powerful speech and inspired women to come out from behind the bamboo screen.
(e) What steps did Chandraprabha take to eliminate the caste system?
Answer— Chandraprava fought for the entry of everyone, irrespective of caste, gender and class, into the famous Hayagriva Madhava temple at Hajo in Assam.
(f) What was Chandraprabha Saikiani’s role in the freedom movement of India?
Answer— Chandraprabha Saikiani joined the freedom movement of India in 1921 greatly inspired by Mahatma Gandhi. She spread the message of Khadi, boycott of foreign clothes, removal of untouchability, banning of opium and other social evils to the mass people. She was also imprisoned thrice.
Q. 2. Work in pairs and complete the following sentences with information from the lesson:
(a) At a time when society did not allow young girls to step out of home, she fought _________________________________.
Answer— At a time when society did not allow young girls to step out of home, she fought to make formal education available for girls.
(b) In those days girls’ schools did not exist, so Chandraprabha ______________________.
Answer— In those days girls’ school did not exist, so Chandraprabha Saikiani went to the boys’ school and after school she taught other girls in her village what she learnt at school.
(c) Chandraprabha and her sister were awarded _______________________________.
Answer— Chandraprabha and her sister were awarded a scholarship to study in Nagaon Mission School.
(d) In order to eliminate the evils of the caste system, Chandraprabha fought for the entry of _________________________________.
Answer— In order to eliminate the evils of the caste system, Chandraprabha fought for the entry of everyone, irrespective of caste, gender and class, into the famous Hayagriva Madhava Temple at Hajo.
(e) Being inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, Chadraprabha ___________________________.
Answer— Being inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, Chadraprabha joined the freedom movement of India.
Q. 3. Read the following sentences and find a word from the text to replace the underline part.
(a) Chandraprabha Saikiani was a famous and respected social worker from Assam.
Answer— Chandraprabha Saikiani was a renowned social worker from Assam.
(b) She tried to get rid of all the cultural or religious restrictions against women that prevailed during those days.
Answer— She tried to get rid of all the taboos against women that prevailed during those days.
(c) Chandraprabha refused to accept and questioned the prevailing custom of women sitting behind bamboo screens in public meetings.
Answer— Chandraprabha challenged the prevailing custom of women sitting behind bamboo screens in public meetings.
(d) She was strong in her attitude against society’s restriction and her protest against the norms of society was not confined to a particular incident.
Answer— She was staunchly against society’s restriction and her protest against the norms of society was not confined to a particular incident.
(e) Whenever she saw any injustice, her desire to resist authority rose to the occasion.
Answer— Whenever she saw any injustice, rebellious spirit rose to the occasion.
Q. 4. Listen to your teacher read out the first paragraph of the lesson. As you listen, complete the table below with information about Chandraprabha Saikiani:
| Chandraprabha Saikiani | A ______ social reformer from A_______ |
| Birth | _______ March ________ |
| Father | _________ _________ |
| Mother | _____________ |
| Sister | _____________ |
| School | A school which only had _________ |
Answer—
| Chandraprabha Saikiani | A renowned social reformer from Assam |
| Birth | 16 March 1901 |
| Father | Ratiram Majumdar |
| Mother | _____________ |
| Sister | _____________ |
| School | A school which only had _________ |
Q. 5. There are seven paragraphs in the lesson Chandraprabha Saikiani. Choose the appropriate description for each paragraph.
(a) The first paragraph is about:
(i) Chandraprabha Saikiani’s childhood
(ii) Chandraprabha Saikiani’s birth as the social reformer
(iii) Chandraprabha Saikiani’s career as a school teacher
Answer— (ii) Chandraprabha Saikiani’s birth as the social reformer.
(b) The second paragraph is about
(i) Chandraprabha Saikiani’s preparation to be a school teacher
(ii) Girl’s education vs boy’s education
(iii) Chandraprabha Saikiani’s efforts to get an education just like the boys of her village
Answer— (ii) Girl’s education vs boy’s education.
(c) The third paragraph is about:
(i) her fight for freedom
(ii) her fight for the rights of girls
(iii) her fight against British rule
Answer— (ii) her fight for the rights of girls.
(d) The fourth paragraph is about
(i) formation of Assam Pradeshik Mahila Samiti
(ii) Chandraprabha Saikiani’s protest against restrictions imposed on women
(iii) Chandraprabha Saikiani’s speech at the Assam Sahitya Sabha meeting
Answer— All of the above.
(e) The fifth paragraph is about:
(i) the caste system of India
(ii) Chandraprabha Saikiani’s visit to Hajo
(iii) Chandraprabha Saikiani’s protest against the caste system
Answer— Chandraprabha Saikiani’s protest against the caste system.
(f) The sixth paragraph is about:
(i) Chandraprabha Saikiani’s meeting with Mahatma Gandhi
(ii) Chandraprabha Saikiani’s as the freedom fighter
(iii) the punishment Chandraprabha Saikiani received for being a freedom fighter
Answer— All the above.
(g) The seventh paragraph is about
(i) Chandraprabha Saikiani’s rebellious spirit
(ii) Chandraprabha Saikiani’s imprisionment
(iii) Chandraprabha Saikiani’s motivation to join the freedom movement
Answer— None of the above.
Q. 6. Discuss in groups and share what you have learnt about:
(a) The condition of women during the days of Chandraprabha Saikiani
Answer— During Chandraprabha Saikiani’s time, women’s social rights were sadly poor. Women had to sit behind a bamboo screen in public meetings.
(b) Chandraprabha Saikiani’s role in the freedom movement
Answer— In the freedom movement Chandraprabha Saikiani spread the message of khadi, boycott of foreign clothes, removal of untouchability, banning of opium and other social evils. She was imprisioned thrice, in 1931, 1942 and in 1943.
Your group leader will read your points aloud for the rest of the class.
| S. L. No | Contents (Class 8 English) |
| Lesson 1 | The Prince of Panidihing |
| Lesson 2 | My Native Land |
| Lesson 3 | Explore India: Quiz Time |
| Lesson 4 | Dokchory learns about the Panchayat |
| Lesson 5 | Louis Pasteur |
| Lesson 6 | A New Day, A New Way |
| Lesson 7 | Sympathy |
| Lesson 8 | Chandraprabha Saikiani |
Q. 7. Let’s learn some grammer: (Class 8 English Lesson 8)
In this lesson you have come across verbs that use ‘to’ before them-
(a) She was inspired to join the freedom movement.
Answer— The form “to join” is a non-finite verb generally known as the to-infinitive.
The to-infinitive can also be used as the subject of a sentence as in-
(b) To keep the guests waiting is not good.
It can also be used as the complement of a sentence-
(c) It is not good to keep the guest waiting.
Now practise using the to-infinitive.
Combine these sentences by using to-infinitives. The first one is done for you-
(a) I will visit the book fair. I will buy a few novels.
Answer— I will visit the book fair to buy a few novels.
(b) We are going to Puri tomorrow. We will visit the Jagannath Temple there.
Answer— We are going to Puri tomorrow to visit the Jagannath Temple there.
(c) She started a small school for girls. She would help them to overcome the taboos against women.
Answer— She started a small school for girls to help them to overcome the taboos against women.
(d) She delivered a very powerful speech. She demanded the removal of the prevailing customs of women sitting behind bamboo screens.
Answer— She delivered a very powerful speech demanding to remove the prevailing customs of women sitting behind bamboo screens.
(e) She and her sister were awarded a scholarship. They will study in Nagaon Mission school.
Answer— She and her sister were awarded a scholarship to study in Nagaon Mission School.
Q. 8. You must have come across English words which have different forms. One word can be used to form several other words, and such words usually go to a different word class. For example, look at the following word web where you will see different forms of the word beauty.
Now complete the word webs with other forms of the words given in each web below:
| Noun | Verb | Adjective |
| Time | timed | timely |
| Eagerness | eager | eagerly |
| Rebellion | rebel | rebellious |
| Movement | move | movable |
| Patriot | patriotize | patriotic |
| Education | educate | educational |
Q. 9. Have you heard of CEDAW? The full form of CEDAW is the Convention on Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women. CEDAW is an international treaty adopted in 1979 by the United Nations General Assembly. Described as an internal bill of rights for women, CEDAW was ratified by 189 countries. Some of the important features of CEDAW are:
– Governments shall take concrete steps to eliminate discrimination against women.
– Governments shall take appropriate measures to eliminate sexist stereotypes.
– Women will have the right of vote, to participate in forming and implementing governmental policies.
– Women will have the right to represent the country at an international level.
– Women and girls should receive career and vocational guidance and have access to education opportunities at par with men or boys.
Look how things have changed since the days of Chandraprabha Saikiani ! Today governments themselves have undertaken the task of eliminating discrimination against women. But the government alone cannot succeed in this task unless women become aware of their rights.
(i) Work in small groups to find out more about CEDAW on the internet and write down some more important features of CEDAW. (You can search www.un.org.)
Answer— The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) is a vital international treaty established by the United Nations in 1979. It serves as a comprehensive framework to combat gender-based discrimination across various spheres of life. CEDAW outlines measures for ensuring women’s equal rights in areas like education, employment, and public participation. By emphasizing the importance of legal and societal changes, CEDAW has played a crucial role in advancing gender equality globally. Nations that ratify CEDAW commit to implementing measures that promote a more equitable and just society for women.
- Comprehensive Coverage: CEDAW addresses discrimination against women in various areas like education, employment, and public life.
- Equal Opportunities: It advocates for equal opportunities for women in social, economic, and political spheres.
- Legal Framework: CEDAW provides a legal foundation for countries to enact and enforce laws promoting gender equality and protecting women’s rights.
- Reporting System: Member states submit regular reports on their progress, fostering accountability in implementing CEDAW.
- Optional Protocol: The Optional Protocol allows individuals to file complaints regarding violations, offering an additional channel for addressing women’s rights issues.
(ii) Based on your reading, prepare a poster on the topic – ‘Let’s stop discrimination against women’.
Answer— Here are few slogans for the poster-
- Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities!
- Empower Women, Empower Humanity.
- No to Discrimination, Yes to Equality!
(b) Now that you have learnt about Chandraprabha Saikiani and the norms of society women had to follow, choose any one of the topics below and write a short essay. You can work in small groups.
(i) Chandraprabha Saikiani as a social reformer.
Answer— Chandraprabha Saikiani was a well-known social worker from Assam. In her time, society commonly discriminated against women, which made her unhappy. She decided to stand up for women’s rights. Initially, she fought for girls to have the right to education. Later, she played a crucial role in removing barriers for women in public meetings by taking down bamboo screens. Additionally, she worked towards ensuring easy access for women to the renowned Hayagriva Madhaba temple at Hajo.
(ii) The different challenges that women faced during the time of Chandraprabha Saikiani.
(iii) Chandraprabha Saikiani fought a hard battle for herself and her younger sister in order to receive an education as good as the one the boys in her village were receiving.
(c) Think of yourself in the place of Chandraprabha Saikiani and list some ideas to eradicate taboos against women that are still present in our society today.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Q. 10. Your teacher will divide the class into five groups (A, B, C, D and E) and assign paragraphs to each group.
Group A – Paragraph 1, Group B – Paragraph 2, Group C – Paragraph 3, Group D – Paragraph 4, Group E – Paragraph 5. Working in groups :
(a) Look up the dictionary to find out the meaning of the word ‘skit’.
Answer— A short comedy sketch or piece of humorous writing.
(b) Read the given paragraph very carefully. Using the information provided in it, write out dialogues to make a skit. Develop the characters and also try to design the backdrop. Then act out the skit in front of the class.
Answer— Do it yourself with the help of teacher.
(c) Prepare a slogan on the issue highlighted in the paragraph. Write the slogans on chart paper and hang them around the class. Here is a sample slogan.
|
Happy Women, Healthy Women! Stop Female Foeticide! |
Answer—
- Empowered Women, Flourishing Nation!
- Say No to Gender Discrimination!