1. Answer the following questions from the lesson to check your comprehension:
(a) Who was Chandraprabha Saikiani?
Chandraprabha Saikiani was a renowned social reformer and freedom fighter from Assam.
(b) What did Chandraprabha do to educate the girls of her village?
After school, Chandraprabha gathered other girls and taught them what she had learnt during the day.
(c) Which two incidents show us how Chandraprabha fought for the rights of girls?
Chandraprabha opposed the rule that girls had to convert to Christianity to stay in the hostel. She also demanded the removal of the bamboo screen between men and women in public meetings.
(d) On what occasion did Chandraprabha Saikiani inspire women to come out from behind the bamboo screen?
Chandraprabha Saikiani inspired women during the Assam Sahitya Sabha session held at Nagaon in 1925.
(e) What steps did Chandraprabha take to eliminate the caste system?
She fought for the entry of everyone into the Hayagriva Madhava temple irrespective of caste, gender and class.
(f) What was Chandraprabha Saikiani's role in the freedom movement of India?
She spread Gandhiji’s message, promoted khadi, boycotted foreign goods and fought against social evils. She was also imprisoned three times.
2. Work in pairs and complete the following sentences with information from the lesson:
(a) At the time 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 attended a boys’ school with her sister.
(c) 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 everyone into the Hayagriva Madhava temple.
(e) Being inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, Chandraprabha joined the freedom movement.
4. Complete the table below with information about Chandraprabha Saikiani:
Chandraprabha Saikiani - A renowned social reformer from Assam
Birth - 16 March 1901
Father - Ratiram Mazumdar
Mother - Gangapriya
Sister - Rajaniprabha
School - A school which only had boys
5. Choose the appropriate description for each paragraph:
(a) The first paragraph is about:
(i) Chandraprabha Saikiani's childhood
(b) The second paragraph is about:
(iii) Chandraprabha Saikiani's efforts to get an education just like the boys of her village
(c) The third paragraph is about:
(ii) her fight for the rights of girls
(d) The fourth paragraph is about:
(ii) Chandraprabha Saikiani's protest against restrictions imposed on women
(e) The fifth paragraph is about:
(iii) Chandraprabha Saikiani's protest against the caste system
(f) The sixth paragraph is about:
(ii) Chandraprabha Saikiani as the freedom fighter
(g) The seventh paragraph is about:
(i) Chandraprabha Saikiani's rebellious spirit
6. Discuss in groups and share what you have learnt about:
(a) The condition of women during the days of Chandraprabha Saikiani
During those days women were not allowed to step out freely and girls had very little opportunity for education. They had to follow many social restrictions.
(b) Chandraprabha Saikiani's role in the freedom movement
Chandraprabha spread Gandhiji’s ideas, promoted khadi, boycotted foreign goods and fought against social evils. She also went to prison for participating in the freedom movement.
7. Combine these sentences by using to-infinitives.
(b) We are going to Puri tomorrow. We will visit the Jagannath Temple there.
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.
She started a small school for girls to help them 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.
She delivered a very powerful speech to demand the removal of 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.
She and her sister were awarded a scholarship to study in Nagaon Mission School.
9 (b) Write a short essay.
(i) Chandraprabha Saikiani as a social reformer
Chandraprabha Saikiani was a great social reformer of Assam. She worked hard for the education and rights of women. At a time when girls were not allowed to attend school, she fought against social evils and encouraged girls to study. She also protested against the caste system and fought for equality. She formed the Assam Pradeshik Mahila Samiti to improve the condition of women. Her contributions made her one of the greatest women leaders of Assam.
9 (c) List some ideas to eradicate taboos against women that are still present in our society today.
1. Provide equal education opportunities for girls.
2. Stop discrimination between boys and girls.
3. Encourage women to work and become independent.
4. Spread awareness against child marriage and dowry.
5. Give equal rights and respect to women in society.
