Chapter 1.3 - On Wings of Courage
The lesson revolves around the achievements and deeds of valour of the Marshal of the Indian Air Force, Arjan Singh. Born on April 15, 1919, Singh completed his education at Montgomery. His first assignment upon being commissioned was to fly Westland Wapiti biplanes in the North-Western Frontier Province as a member of the No. 1 RIAF squadron. He took up various adventurous tasks and led the IAF to greater heights of glory. During the Indo-Pak War in 1965, he displayed exemplary courage and emerged victorious against a more powerful Pakistan supported by America. He also led a squadron against the Japanese during the Arakan Campaign as well as the Imphal Campaign. For this feat, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) in 1914. He also achieved the unique honour of leading a flypast of over a hundred IAF aircraft over the Red Fort in Delhi on August 15, 1947. He was then promoted successively to the ranks of Wing Commander, Group Captain, Air Commodore, Air Vice Marshal, and finally the highest post of Marshal of the Air Force in January 2002.
Singh remained a flyer till the end of his tenure in the IAF and retired there in August 1969 upon accepting the Ambassadorship to Switzerland. He was Lieutenant Governor of Delhi from December 1989 to 1990.
He will always be remembered for being an inspiration to the personnel of the Armed Forces for his exceptional contribution towards giving the IAF its present shape with his determination, grit, leadership skills, and fearlessness.
potent : powerful and effective
monumental : of great importance, enormous
epitome : a perfect example
assiduously : working hard and showing careful attention to details
commending : officially praising
biplane : old type of aircraft having two pairs of wings one above the other
a brief stint : a short period of work
a fly-past : a ceremonial flight of an aircraft passing over a place
AOC-in-C : Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief
took over reins : took over control
gearing up : getting ready
flying currency : up-to-date skills and experience of flying aircraft
constraints : restrictions
astute : sharp and intelligent
CAS : Chief of the Air Staff
forward bases : a secured, forward operating military position
hopeful
Warming up!
1. The ranks of officers in the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force are jumbled up. Discuss with your group and put them in the appropriate boxes.
Commander, Brigadier, Wing-Commander, Vice-Admiral, Squadron-Leader, Major, Colonel, Field Marshal, Air Marshal, Admiral of Fleet, Lieutenant-General, Flying Officer, Commodore, Rear Admiral, Air-Commodore
| ARMY | NAVY | AIR FORCE |
|---|---|---|
Field Marshal | Commander | Air Marshal |
Lieutenant – General | Rear Admiral | Air – Commodore |
Brigadier | Admiral of Fleet | Wing – Commander |
Colonel | Vice – Admiral | Squadron – Leader |
Major | Commodore | Flying Officer |
2. Homophones/ Homographs
(A) Make sentences to bring out the difference between –
(1) (a) wear
Ans: We wear cotton clothes in summer.
(b) ware
Ans: He sells his wares at the weekly market.
(2) (a) here
Ans: She waited here for a very long time.
(b) hear
Ans: Speak softly or they will hear our conversation.
(3) (a) there
Ans: Sheena was spotted there yesterday.
(b) their
Ans: Their farm house is located near a river.
(4) (a) cell
Ans: The consumer cell is solving the matter.
(b) sell
Ans: They sell cookies in the shop.
(B) Write what the underlined Homographs in the following sentences mean.
(1) (a) A bear is an omnivorous animal.
Ans: Name of an animal
(b) She could not bear the injustice.
Ans: Tolerate
(2) (a) A bat is the only bird which is a mammal.
Ans: Name of an animal.
(b) His bat broke as it struck the ball.
Ans: A wooden shaped gadget used to hit the ball in various games.
(3) (a) He had to pay a fine for breaking the traffic signal.
Ans: A fee levied as punishment for breaking the law.
(b) Use a fine cloth for the baby’s clothes.
Ans: good quality and delicate/soft.
(4) (a) We enjoyed a lot at the temple fair.
Ans: A kind of public gathering usually during festivals.
(b) She has a fair complexion.
Ans: A light-coloured complexion.
In Between The LESSON
Q1. Why is Air Force Marshal Arjan Singh considered an outstanding military personality?
Ans: Air Force Marshal Arjan Singh had successfully led a young IAF during the 1965 Indo-Pak war. Besides, he had the distinction of having flown more than 60 different types of aircraft. As he is a source of inspiration to all personnel of Armed Forces through the years for his remarkable contribution to the IAF, he is considered an outstanding military personality.
Q2. What personality traits of Arjan Singh are mentioned here?
Ans: According to me, Armed Force personnel should possess foresight, leadership skills, never-say-die attitude, fearlessness and above all the will to put one’s country before oneself.
Q3. What enabled Arjan Singh to win the DFC award?
Ans: In 1944, Arjan Singh led a squadron against the Japanese during the Arakan campaign and later assisted the advance of the Allied Forces to Yangoon. These contributions enabled him to receive the DFC award.
Q4. At what age did Arjan Singh become a Squadron Leader?
Ans: Arjan Singh became a squadron leader at the age of 25.
Q5. For how long did Arjun Singh hold the post of AOC ?
Ans: Arjan Singh held the post of the AOC for seven years, initially from 1949-1952 and then again from 1957-1961.
Q6. What uphill task did Singh face when he took over as Air Marshal?
Ans: When Arjan Singh took over as Air Marshal he faced the uphill task of rebuilding IAF and gearing it up to meet new challenges.
Q7. What other important positions did Arjan Singh hold after his retirement?
Ans: After his retirement in 1969, Arjan Singh accepted the Ambassadorship to Switzerland. He was the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi from December 1989 to December 1990.
ENGLISH WORKSHOP
1. Read the text and fill in the flow chart of the promotions received by Arjan Singh.
Ans:
2. With the help of facts given in the text prepare a Fact file of Air Marshal Arjan
Singh.
(a) Date of Birth
Ans: April 15,1919
(b) Place of Birth
Ans: Lyalpur (now Faislabad in Pakistan)
(c) Education
Ans: Montgomery (now Sahiwal, Pakistan)
(d) First Assignments
Ans: To fly westland Wapiti biplanes in the North Western Frontier Province as a member of the No. 1 RIAF Squadron.
(e) Important posts held
(a) In Air Force
Ans: Squadron Leader Air Chief Marshal, Wing Commander, Group Captain, Air Commodore, Air Vice Marshal, Marshal of the Air Force
(b) After retirement
Ans: Ambassador Switzerland, Lieutenant Governor of Delhi
(f) Awards
Ans:
(i) Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) in 1944
(ii) Padma Vibhushan
(g) Most outstanding contribution in IAF
Ans: Transformed the IAF into one of the most potent air forces globally and the fourth biggest in the world. Contextually led the IAF to victory in the 1965 war.
(h) Retirement
Ans: August, 1969
3. Fill in the web.
Ans:
4. Say what actions preceded the following promotions of Arjan Singh in his career in the IAF.
(a) Selected for Empire Pilot training course at RAF
Ans: Arjan completed his education at Montgomery.
(b) Promoted to Squadron Leader
Ans: Arjan Singh flew against the tribal forces.
(c) Leader of a flypast of over 100 aircrafts at Red Fort, Delhi
Ans: Arjan Singh successfully led the squadron in combat.
(d) Awarded Padma Vibhushan
Ans: Arjan Singh displayed his astute leadership during the 1965 war and inspired IAF to victory.
(e) First Air Chief Marshal of Indian Air Force
Ans: Air Force contributed greatly during the 1965 war and the rank of the CAS was upgraded.
5. Replace the underlined words/phrases with the appropriate ones, to retain the proper meaning.
(be the epitome of, gear up, a brief stint, play a major role, in recognition of, take over reins)
(a) He contributed notably in bringing up the school.
Ans: He played a major role in bringing up the school.
(b) Our school cricket team got ready for the final match against P. Q. R. High School.
Ans: Our school cricket team geared up for the final match against P.Q.R High School.
(c) After a short period of working as a lecturer, Ravi took up an important post in a multi-national company.
Ans: After a brief stint as a lecturer, Ravi took up an important post in a multi-national company.
(d) Our class monitor is a perfect symbol of duty and discipline.
Ans: Our class monitor is the epitome of duty and discipline.
(e) Accepting the great value of his research; they awarded him with a Ph.D. (degree).
Ans: In recognition of his research, they awarded him with a Ph.D. (degree).
(f) After the murder of King Duncan, Macbeth took over the control of Scotland.
Ans: After the murder of King Duncan, Macbeth took over reins of Scotland.
6. Build the word wall with the words related to ‘Military’.
Ans:
7. (A) State the different meanings of the following pairs of Homophones and make sentences of your own with each of them.
Ans:
(B) The following Homographs have the same spelling and pronunciation; but can have different meanings. Make sentences of your own to show the difference.
(a) firm
Ans:
(i) He started his own firm at the age of 25.
(ii) The teacher decided to be firm with the naughty kids.
(b) train
Ans:
(i) The new train starts from Kolhapur.
(ii) I train students to communicate with confidence.
(c) type
Ans:
(i) Type the letter and post it today.
(ii) Ragging is a type of harassment.
(d) post
Ans:
(i) She held the post of the Principal for 20 years.
(ii) Anil will post the message on the group chat.
(e) current
Ans:
(i) The water currents were too strong for his small boat.
(ii) You should be well aware about current affairs.
8. Glance through the text and prepare notes from the information that you get. Take only relevant points. Don’t use sentences. Arrange the points in the same order. You may use symbols or short forms. Present the points sequentially. Use highlighting techniques.
Ans: Students must do this on their own.
9. Develop a story suitable to the conclusion/end given below. Suggest a suitable title.
…………………… (Title)
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… and so, with tears of joy and pride, the 10 year old Sanyogita More received the National Bravery Award from the Prime Minister.
Ans:
Little hands, great deeds
In a far corner of Achalpur Village lived a happy family of four. A small field of maize was worked upon by the hardworking hands of Vilasrao More and his wife Sushobhana. They were blessed with a beautiful and intelligent daughter, Sanyogita, and an equally bright son, Sahil. Playing in the maize fields when the parents worked was the only pastime for the children. Ten-year-old Sanyogita studied in grade 5, while Sahil was a grade 2 student. With school being far away, they had to be dropped off and picked up. However, on days when Vilasrao couldn’t make it, the siblings walked their way home, enjoying some freedom.
On one such day, when Vilasrao had to go to the city market to sell his yield, his mother informed Sanyogita, “Take care of Sahil and do not loiter about. Come straight home. I shall be making your favourite puranpolis today.” Sanyogita’s face lit up as she chuckled, “Really, Aai? You are the best Aai in the whole world.” “Okay, okay, I know that. You have to be the best sister and a very good girl today,” said Sushobhana.
They went off to school. By evening, they were tired of all the studying and playing. Little feet dragged them homeward. The pace fastened at the thought of hot Puranpolis served by their mother. Sahil was too hungry to get home. He looked appallingly at the elder sister. He knew she had a 5 rupee coin in her pocket, which her father had given her the day before. Sanyogita searched for the coin and then, taking Sahil by the hand, bought some roasted peanuts. But as she turned her back, an acrid smell caught her attention. The air was heavy with it. Before she could think, cries of help from a nearby roadside house alarmed her.
The brother-sister pair rushed to see a woman and her two-year-old lying unconscious while others wailed for help. The peanut vendor fell numb. It was his wife and baby. Sanyogita had no time to think. She immediately handed over Sahil to the shopkeeper and leapt to see the source of the fire. A four-foot flame coming from an oil lamp engulfed the kitchen. She filled a bucket with mud and doused the fire by pouring mud over it. Next was the gas cylinder that had caught fire.
She cried, “Pass that sack, Kaka.” The shopkeeper threw the sack at her, and she could extinguish the fire before the cylinder had a chance to explode. Sahil stood there, clapping and motivating his elder sister. People were shocked to see a 10-year-old put an end to a disaster with her presence of mind. After the woman and her baby gained consciousness, she took leave from the ever-grateful peanut seller. Happy at being helpful, Sanyogita was scared that her mother would scold her for being late. She kept the incident from her mother after reaching home. The excited Sahil was stopped by Sanyogita’s threatening glare. Both relished Puranpolis and went off to sleep.
The next day, the Sarpanch paid a visit to Vilasrao’s humble home and narrated the incident. Vilas and Sushobhana were worried and happy at the same time. When Sanyogita returned from school, they inquired about the incident. A happy and excited Sahil enacted the daredevilry of his elder sister.
On January 26, Sanyogita, accompanied by her parents and brother, went off to New Delhi. She was among the 24 children who posed with the Prime Minister. T.V. cameras surrounded her when her name was called out, and so with tears of joy and pride, the 10-year-old Sanyogita More received the National Bravery Award from the Prime Minister.
10. You wish to join any one of the Indian Armed Forces. Fill in the following application form.
Ans: Students must do this on their own.