Chapter 2.2 – Nature Created Man and Woman as Equals
nestles : is close to
rolling : extending in long gentle slopes
fragrance : pleasant smell
symposium : a meeting at which experts have discussion on a particular subject
presses on : persuades someone to do something
discriminate : treat one person or group better or worse than another, in an unfair way
gender : fact of being male or female
laments : expresses grief and sorrow
subjugated : controlled and dominated over
glorified : praised
testify : provide proof / evidence
pioneer : a person who is among the first to take up a cause especially in a new region.
civilizing : educating
under the aegis : with the protection or support of (a particular organization or person)
dimensions : aspects
elimination : getting rid of
throw light on : to give information or explanation about
legal : related to law
potential : the qualities that exist and can be developed
Warming up!
(A) Study the pictures below and note down the differences.
Differences
Ans: In the first panel a boy is going to school while a girl of the same age is doing household chores. In the next panel, both the boy and the girl are going to school.
Differences
Ans: In the first panel, a woman is trudging along balancing pots of water on her head and a baby on her hip. In the next panel, a woman is teaching children at a school.
(B) Now write what you observe in the following two pictures.
Ans:
(i) In the first panel a boy and a man are shown sharing the household chores. leaving the women to do other work.
(ii) In the next panel, men and women are working in an office together at an equal level.
(C) Which pictures reflect gender equality? Write their numbers.
Ans: The pictures on the right-hand side of (A) and both the pictures of (B) reflect gender equality.
(D) Write down any two Slogans on ‘Gender Equality’.
Ans:
(i) Equal Rights, Equal Heights: Gender Equality for All!
(ii) Empower Women, Embrace Equality – A Balanced World for a Brighter Future!
In Between The Lesson
Q1. Make a list of the beautiful natural surroundings of the house.
Ans:
(i) A small stream of crystal-clear water.
(ii) The green mountains
(iii) A stretch of hundreds of acres of fertile land with yellow mustard flowers
(iv) A garden in front of the house.
(v) Many kinds of trees bearing flowers of different colours and fruits.
(vi) Fragrant jasmine plants.
Q2. What help did Lanthoi need from her mother?
Ans: Lanthoi was going to speak on the topic ‘God created men and women as equals’ at her school. She wanted to have some discussion with her mother on the topic.
Q3. What did Lanthoi’s father work as?
Ans: Lanthoi’s father Tomba is a lawyer and a social worker, who advocates the cause of women.
Q4. In what way did Tomba contribute towards Ashangbi’s success?
Ans:
(i) Tomba is supportive of Ashangbi’s activities.
(ii) He is always proud of his wife and children.
(iii) In times of need, he helps his wife and children.
(iv) He does not discriminate between a man’s work and woman’s work.
(v) He shares equally with Ashangbi in doing the household chores like cooking, washing, etc.
Q5. How did mother explain Lanthoi’s topic for her speech at school?
Ans: Lanthol’s topic for her speech was ‘God created men and women as equals.’ Ashangbi explained to Lanthoi that God has sent men and women to our earth to share the joys and sorrows of life equally. to share His blessings and to enjoy the bounty of nature equally. Hence, men and women are equals and should be treated as such.
Q6. How is the role of a mother honoured and praised?
Ans: The mother is said to be the fountain of love in the family. This bond of love cannot be compared to anything else in the world. Motherhood has been glorified because of this and therefore women accept the challenges in life to become a mother.
Q7. What are the achievements of modern women?
Ans: Modern women have become mountaineers, naturalists, astronauts, scientists, political leaders, soldiers
Q8. What social justice does the aegis of the United Nations guarantee?
Ans: Social justice which the aegis of the United Nations guarantees is equal access to basic social services including health and education, equal participation in political and economic decision making, equal reward for social work and removal of discrimination and violence against women.
Q9. What vision meets her eye, when Lanthoi rushes outdoors?
Ans: When Lanthol rushes outdoors she is welcomed by the bright morning su The blue sky and the range of mountains appear to meet. Lanthol is fascinated by a small trail which goes winding up the distant purple mountain.
Q10. What does that vision symbolize?
Ans: The vision which Lanthol sees when she rushes outdoors, symbolizes a positive and bright future for Lanthot and for the women of the country.
ENGLISH WORKSHOP
1. (A) Find from the lesson words / phrases that mean the following.
(a) colours
Ans: hues
(b) a person who writes for newspapers / magazines
Ans: journalist
(c) make a difference between
Ans: discriminate
(d) cry over
Ans: lament
(e) explain in detail
Ans: throw light on
(f) abilities and qualities
Ans: potential
(g) same availability
Ans: equal access
(h) a person who brings about a social / political change
Ans: activist
(B) Pick out five Compound words from the lesson.
Ans: anywhere, household, crystal-clear, courtyard, middle-aged
2. Answer in your own words.
(a) Read and write down 5 points which prove that Tomba (Lanthoi’s father) firmly believes in gender equality.
Ans:
(i) Tomba is supportive of Ashangbi’s activities as a woman’s rights activist.
(ii) He advocates the cause of women.
(iii) He does not discriminate between a man’s work and woman’s work.
(iv) He shares equally with Ashangbi in doing the household chores like cooking, washing, etc.
(v) He tells Lanthoi that the world is still full of inequalities and they have to find a way to bring equality between men and women.
(b) In what ways is Ashangbi different from other women of her community?
Ans:
(i) Ashangbi is a journalist
(ii) She is a women’s rights activist.
(c) What are the provisions in the Declaration of the United Nations, to ensure equality of men and women?
Ans: The provisions in the Declaration of the United Nations to ensure equality men and women are:
(i) equal access to basic social services including health and education.
(ii) equal participation in political and economic decision-making
(iii) equal reward for equal work
(iv) elimination of discrimination and violence against women.
3. Who said to whom and when / why?
Ans:
4. We have studied in previous classes that Pronouns are words used instead of Nouns.
We also know about Personal Pronouns like I, you, he, she, my, your, his, her, they, etc.
There are other words also which are used in place of nouns.
(i) This, that, these, those point to some noun.
For example : ‘This is a kingfisher.’ ‘Those are herons.’ Such Pronouns are called Demonstrative Pronouns.
(ii) Some pronouns not only replace nouns, but also connect two sentences.
For example : ‘Biology is a science. It studies living organisms.’
Biology is a science which / that studies living organisms.
Some other such pronouns are who, whose, whom etc.
They are called Relative Pronouns.
(iii) Some pronouns are used to ask questions.
For example :
What is your name?
Which is your coat?
Who is your coach?
The underlined words are Interrogative Pronouns.
Underline the Pronouns in the following sentences and name their types.
(1) What do you want to do?
Ans: What – Interrogative Pronoun;
you – Personal Pronoun
(2) It is because of your father that I feel no inequality.
Ans: your – Personal Pronoun
I – Personal Pronoun
(3) This is what your topic means.
Ans: This – Demonstrative Pronoun
you – Personal Pronoun
(4) She is fascinated by the small trail, which winds up the mountain.
Ans: She – Personal Pronoun
which – Relative Pronoun
5. Read the following lines. Imagine it is the beginning of an instance you have experienced. Complete the incident using your imagination. Give it a positive ending.
I had often noticed that in my neighbour’s family, the son was greatly pampered, but the daughter was treated unfairly. I could not bear this. So one day I decided to ________
Continue the write-up, with your own ideas, in about 12 – 15 lines.
Ans: I had often noticed that in my neighbour’s family, the son was greatly pampered, but the daughter was treated unfairly. I could not bear this. So one day I decided to initiate a conversation with the parents about gender equality. I approached them with empathy and shared stories of successful women who had broken stereotypes. They seemed hesitant at first but agreed to listen.
Over the next few weeks, we had open discussions about the importance of equal opportunities for their daughter. I also encouraged the daughter, Sunita, to pursue her interests and talents. With time, her confidence soared. Her parents, too, began to see her potential.
Eventually, they decided to enroll Sunita in extracurricular activities and support her academic ambitions just as they had done for their son. As Sunita thrived, the entire family began to appreciate the beauty of gender equality. It not only improved Sunita’s life but also strengthened their bond as a family, promoting fairness and respect for all.
6. Project :
From your school library or internet collect quotations / slogans promoting gender equality. Make decorative posters with pictures of outstanding women or sketches or illustrations of your choice. With permission, put up the posters in your school surroundings.
Ans: Students should do this on their own.