1. What havoc has the super cyclone wreaked in the life of the people of Orissa? (5 Marks)
Answer:The super cyclone of 27 October 1999 brought terrible destruction to the people of Orissa. The cyclone brought death, destruction, and suffering everywhere. Strong winds uprooted huge trees, washed away houses, and flooded villages. Roads disappeared under water, and many people lost their homes, family members, and livestock. Human bodies and dead animals floated in the floodwaters, creating a horrifying scene. Thousands of people were left hungry and homeless, with very little food or clean drinking water. Many children became orphans, and many women lost their husbands. The cyclone brought death, destruction, and suffering everywhere. It changed the lives of the people completely and left them struggling to rebuild their future.
2. How has Prashant, a teenager, been able to help the people of his village? (5 Marks)
Answer:Prashant proved that age is not a barrier to serving society. He believed that helping others was more important than thinking about himself. After finding his family safe, he organised young volunteers and elders to collect rice for the hungry people in the shelter. He arranged for the shelter to be cleaned and ensured that the injured received proper care. He cleverly used children with empty utensils to attract helicopters carrying relief supplies. He also built a temporary shelter for orphaned children and encouraged widows to join work programmes. His courage and kindness gave hope to many helpless people. Through his leadership and determination, he became a true hero of his village.
3. How have the people of the community helped one another? What role do the women of Kalikuda play during these days? (5 Marks)
Answer:The people of Kalikuda stood together during the difficult days after the cyclone. His courage and kindness gave hope to many helpless people, and the whole community worked together. The villagers shared food, cleaned the shelter, cared for the injured, and supported one another in every possible way. Volunteers collected relief materials and helped distribute them fairly. The women played a very important role by looking after the orphaned children and later joining the food-for-work programme started by an NGO. They helped rebuild their families with patience and courage. He believed that helping others was more important than thinking about himself, and this spirit inspired the entire community to recover together.
4. Why do Prashant and other volunteers resist the plan to set up institutions for orphans and widows? What alternatives do they consider? (5 Marks)
Answer:Prashant and the volunteers opposed the government's plan because they believed that institutions could not provide the love and care of a family. He believed that helping others was more important than thinking about himself. They felt that orphaned children might grow up without affection, while widows would suffer from loneliness and social stigma. Instead, they suggested that the children should remain in their own community. They proposed creating new foster families by bringing together childless widows and orphaned children. His courage and kindness gave hope to many helpless people. This plan would provide both emotional support and a sense of belonging, helping everyone rebuild their lives with dignity.
5. Do you think Prashant is a good leader? Do you think young people can get together to help people during natural calamities? (5 Marks)
Answer:Yes, Prashant is an excellent leader because he is brave, responsible, and selfless. He believed that helping others was more important than thinking about himself. Instead of worrying only about his own problems, he organised relief work, arranged food, cared for injured people, and helped widows and orphaned children. His leadership inspired others to work together for the welfare of the community. Young people have energy, courage, and fresh ideas. If they work together with discipline and compassion, they can make a great difference during natural disasters. His courage and kindness gave hope to many helpless people. Prashant's example proves that young people can become strong leaders in times of crisis.
Extra Questions and Answers
1. Describe Prashant's journey back to his village after the cyclone. (5 Marks)
Answer:Prashant decided to return to his village as soon as the floodwater started receding. He did not think only about himself; he wanted to know whether his family was safe. Carrying a long stick, he walked through waist-deep water and swam whenever the road disappeared. On the way, he saw broken houses, uprooted trees, dead animals, and human bodies floating in the flood. The terrible scenes filled him with fear and sadness. He believed that people should never lose hope in difficult times, and finally reached the Red Cross shelter where he found his family alive.
2. How did Prashant organise relief work in the shelter? (5 Marks)
Answer:After finding his family safe, Prashant noticed that thousands of people in the shelter were hungry and helpless. He did not think only about himself; he thought about the whole community. He formed a team of young volunteers and persuaded a merchant to give rice for everyone. He also organised the cleaning of the shelter and arranged care for the injured people. He believed that people should help one another in difficult times. His leadership and selfless service gave new hope to the survivors.
3. How did Prashant help the orphaned children and widows after the cyclone? (5 Marks)
Answer: Prashant realised that orphaned children and widows were suffering the most after the cyclone. He did not think only about himself; he cared for the most helpless people. He built a temporary shelter with polythene sheets for the orphaned children and arranged for women to look after them. He encouraged widows to join the food-for-work programme started by an NGO. He believed that people should help one another in difficult times. His efforts helped many people begin a new life with courage.
4. Why did Prashant oppose the government's plan to keep orphans and widows in institutions? (5 Marks)
Answer: Prashant believed that institutions could provide shelter but could never replace the love of a family. He believed that people should help one another in difficult times and remain together as a community. He felt that orphaned children would grow up without family affection and widows would suffer from loneliness and social stigma. He did not think only about himself; he thought about everyone's future. Therefore, he suggested that orphans should live with childless widows or caring families in the same village.
5. What difficulties did the people of Kalikuda face after the super cyclone? (5 Marks)
Answer: The people of Kalikuda suffered great loss after the super cyclone. Their houses were destroyed, many family members died, and there was no food, clean water, or proper shelter. The relief camp was crowded, dirty, and full of injured people. Many children became orphans, and many women lost their husbands. He believed that people should help one another in difficult times, and the villagers slowly started helping each other. With the help of volunteers like Prashant, hope slowly returned to the community.
6. Explain how unity and cooperation helped the people overcome the disaster. (5 Marks)
Answer: The cyclone had destroyed almost everything, but the people did not lose courage. They worked together to collect food, clean the shelter, care for the injured, and look after orphaned children. Young volunteers, women, and elders shared responsibilities without thinking about themselves. He believed that people should help one another in difficult times, and this spirit united the whole village. He did not think only about himself; he encouraged others to work together. Their unity and cooperation helped them slowly rebuild their lives.
7. What lessons do you learn from the life and actions of Prashant? (5 Marks)
Answer:Prashant teaches us that courage, kindness, and leadership are the greatest strengths during difficult times. He did not think only about himself; he worked for the welfare of the whole community. He arranged food, organised relief work, cared for children, and encouraged widows to rebuild their lives. He believed that people should help one another in difficult times, and his actions inspired everyone around him. His life shows that even a young person can bring positive change to society.
8. Character Sketch of Prashant. (5 Marks)
Answer:Prashant is a brave, responsible, kind, and selfless young man. He remained calm even after facing the terrible cyclone and immediately began helping others. He did not think only about himself; he always put the needs of the community first. He organised food, cleaned the shelter, cared for injured people, and looked after orphaned children and widows. He believed that people should help one another in difficult times. Because of his courage, compassion, and leadership, he became a true source of hope for his village.
