Chapter 7 – Glimpses of India

 5. Glimpses of India 63 

I. A Baker from Goa     LUCIO RODRIGUES

 II. Coorg                     LOKESH ABROL

 III. Tea from Assam     ARUP KUMAR DATTA 

Part I: A Baker from Goa – Word Meanings

Word	Meaning (Simple English)
Nostalgic	Reminiscent
Loaves	Breads
Mixer	Blender
Moulder	Shaper
Furnace	Oven
Fragrance	Aroma
Plump	Fat / Rounded
Kabai	Long frock
Pader	Baker
Bangles (bread)	Ring-shaped breads
Jackfruit-like	Fat / Bulky
Thud	Loud dull sound

Part II: Coorg – Word Meanings

Word	Meaning (Simple English)
Lush	Green and full of plants
Evergreen	Always green
Martial	Related to war/soldiers
Descent	Origin / Ancestry
Traditions	Customs
Regiment	Army unit
Canopy	Roof of trees
Macaques	A type of monkey
Recount	Narrate / Tell again
Hospitality	Warm welcome
Laidback	Relaxed
Rafting	River adventure sport

Part III: Tea from Assam – Word Meanings

Word	Meaning (Simple English)
Scenic	Beautiful (about a place)
Stretches	Large open areas
Plantation	Farm
Sprouting	Growing / Starting
Vegetation	Plants
Manicured	Neatly trimmed
Legend	Old story / Myth
Steaming	Hot with steam
Brew	Prepare (tea/coffee)
Astonishment	Surprise

Chapter 7 – Glimpses of India (Part I: A Baker from Goa) 

Page 86 – Read and Find Out

Q1. What are the elders in Goa nostalgic about?
Answer:
The older people in Goa feel nostalgic about the Portuguese days when bread was a big part of everyday life. They remember the traditional bakers, fresh loaves, and the joyful mornings when the baker would visit with his basket of bread.

Q2. Is bread-making still popular in Goa? How do you know?
Answer:
Yes, bread-making is still popular in Goa. We know this because the traditional furnaces are still in use, and people are still working as bakers, mixing the dough, shaping the loaves, and baking them just like in the old days.

Q3. What is the baker called?
Answer:
In Goa, the baker is called a pader, which is a local term that has been used since Portuguese times.

Q4. When would the baker come every day? Why did the children run to meet him?
Answer:
The baker used to come early in the morning and again after selling his bread. The children ran to meet him, not for the bread, but because they loved to eat the special bread-bangles he carried, which were sweet and fun to eat.

Page 87 – Read and Find Out

Q1. Match the following items with their purpose:

1. Marriage gifts → Sweet bread called bol

2. Party or feast → Bread

3. Daughter’s engagement → Sandwiches

4. Christmas → Cakes and bolinhas

Q2. What did the bakers wear:
(i) In the Portuguese days
(ii) When the author was young
Answer:
(i) In Portuguese times, bakers wore a traditional long frock called a kabai that reached down to their knees.
(ii) When the author was a child, the bakers wore a shirt and trousers that were shorter than full pants but longer than half pants.

Q3. Who invites the comment “he is dressed like a pader”? Why?
Answer:
Any person who wears short trousers that reach just below the knees is said to be dressed like a pader, because that was the style of clothing worn by bakers in the past.

Q4. Where were the monthly accounts of the baker recorded?
Answer:
The monthly bills or accounts were written on the wall of the house using a pencil, which was the common practice of bakers back then.

Q5. What does a "jackfruit-like appearance" mean?
Answer:
It means someone who looks plump and rounded in shape, just like a jackfruit. It is used in a funny way to describe the healthy and happy look of bakers.

Thinking About the Text – Page 88

Q1. Which of these statements are correct?

1. ✅ The pader was an important person in the village in old times.

2. ✅ Paders still exist in Goan villages.

3. ❌ The paders went away with the Portuguese.

4. ❌ The paders continue to wear a single-piece long frock.

5. ✅ Bread and cakes were an important part of Goan life in old days.

6. ✅ Traditional bread-baking is still a profitable business.

7. ❌ Paders and their families starve nowadays.

Q2. Is bread an important part of Goan life? How do you know this?
Answer:
Yes, bread is a very important part of life in Goa. It is used in every special occasion like weddings, parties, engagements, and Christmas. The author says no celebration is complete without bread or cake, which shows how deeply it is connected with Goan culture.

Q3. What is the tone of the author in the following sentences?

1. “The thud and the jingle of the traditional baker’s bamboo can still be heard in some places.”
   → Nostalgic – because he remembers the old days fondly.

2. “Maybe the father is not alive but the son still carries on the family profession.”
   → Hopeful – because the tradition of baking is still continuing.

3. “I still recall the typical fragrance of those loaves.”
   → Nostalgic – because he remembers the smell with fondness.

4. “The tiger never brushed his teeth. Hot tea could wash and clean up everything so nicely, after all.”
   → Funny – because the idea of a tiger drinking tea is said in a humorous way.

5. “Cakes and bolinhas are a must for Christmas as well as other festivals.”
   → Matter-of-fact – because it is simply stating a common tradition.

6. “The baker and his family never starved. They always looked happy and prosperous.”
   → Matter-of-fact – because the baker’s life was steady and successful.

 Part II — Coorg

Question 1. Where is Coorg?
Answer: Coorg (also called Kodagu) is in the state of Karnataka. It lies between the city of Mysore and the coastal town of Mangalore.

Question 2. What is the story about the Kodavu people’s descent?
Answer: 

The story says that the Kodavus (people of Coorg) may be descended from Greeks or Arabs. It is believed that part of Alexander’s army moved south and settled here long ago. They married local people and their traditions mixed in.

Question 3.
What are some things you now know about —
(i) the people of Coorg?
(ii) the main crop of Coorg?
(iii) the sports it offers to tourists?
(iv) the animals you are likely to see there?
(v) its distance from Bangalore and how to get there?

Answer:
(i) The people of Coorg are independent, proud, and have unique traditions.
(ii) The main crop of Coorg is coffee (and also spices).
(iii) Tourists can enjoy adventure sports there like river rafting, rock climbing, mountain biking, etc.
(iv) Animals you might see include elephants, langurs, squirrels, and many birds.
(v) From Bangalore, Coorg is about 250‑260 km away and can be reached by road (bus or car) through the Western Ghats.

Question 4.
Here are six sentences with some words in italics. Find phrases from the text that have the same meaning. (Look in the paragraphs indicated)

1. During monsoons it rains so heavily that tourists do not visit Coorg.

2. Some people say that Alexander’s army moved south along the coast and settled there.

3. The people of Coorg are always ready to tell stories of their sons’ and fathers’ valour.

4. Even people who normally lead an easy and slow life get smitten by the high‑energy adventure sports of Coorg.

5. The theory of the Arab origin is supported by the long coat with embroidered waist‑belt they wear.

6. Macaques, Malabar squirrels observe you carefully from the tree canopy.

Answer:

1. keep visitors away

2. as one story goes

3. are more than willing to recount

4. the most laidback individuals become converts to

5. draws support from

6. keep a watchful eye

 Part III — Tea from Assam

Question 1.
What did Pranjol order for?
Answer:
Pranjol ordered two cups of tea from a tea vendor in the train.

Question 2.
Where were both the boys going to?
Answer:
Both boys, Rajvir and Pranjol, were going to Assam — Pranjol to his home, and Rajvir to visit him there.

Question 3.
What did Rajvir tell Pranjol?
Answer:
Rajvir told Pranjol that over eighty crore (800 million) cups of tea are drunk every day all over the world.

Question 4.
What was Rajvir surprised by as the train moved?
Answer:
He was surprised by the beautiful view — the sight of endless tea bushes, the lush greenery, and the scenic tea gardens stretching as far as his eyes could see.

Question 5.
Why was Pranjol not as excited as Rajvir on seeing the tea gardens?
Answer:
Because Pranjol was born and brought up in Assam, and he had seen tea gardens many times before. So for him, the sight was common, not new or exciting.

Question 6.
What are the legends associated with the discovery of tea?
Answer:
There are two legends:

• Chinese legend: A Chinese emperor boiled water for drinking. One day, leaves from a twig burning under the pot fell into it and gave it a delicious flavour — these were tea leaves.

• Indian (Buddhist) legend: Bodhidharma, a monk, felt sleepy during his meditations and cut off his eyelids. From those eyelids ten tea plants grew. Their leaves, when steeped in hot water, banished sleep.

Question 7.
When and where was tea first drunk? When did tea come to Europe?
Answer:
Tea was first drunk in China, as far back as 2700 B.C. The words “tea,” “chai,” and “chini” come from Chinese. Tea came to Europe in the 16th century. At first, it was more used as medicine than just a drink.

Question 8.
What does the term “second‑flush or sprouting period” mean? Why is it important?
Answer:
The second-flush or sprouting period is the time between May to July when new tea leaves grow. The tea made from these new leaves is considered the best in quality.