II.

Coorg
-Lokesh Abrol
1. Where is Coorg?
Ans. The smallest district of Karnataka called Coorg or Kodagu is situated
between Mysore and Mangalore, which is a coastal town.
2. What is the story about the Kodavu people's descent?
Ans. The author opines that the people from Coorg are probably the
descendants of Greeks or Arabs. Some of Alexander's army had gone
towards the south of the coast. When it became difficult to come back they
settled there. They married the local people and on seeing their martial
background, marriage and religious practices, which are apart from what
Hinduism follows, their culture became obvious. People from Kodagu are
dressed in long, black coats which are embellished till the waist belt, called
Kuppia. Arabs and Kurds used to wear a similar outfit called kuffia, which
proves that they are descendants of Arab.
3. What are some of the things you now know about
(i) the people of Coorg?
Ans. (i) People from Coorg belong to the descendants from Greece or Arab.
They practice hospitality. They love to reminisce stories of bravery linked to
their sons and fathers. They take pride in martial arts. People from Kodagu
dress in long, black coat which is embellished till the waist belt, called
Kuppia
(ii) the main crop of Coorg?
Ans:The staple crop of Coorg is coffee. The coffee gardens can be seen
spread out under the shelter of trees in the main area.
(iii) the sports it offers to tourists?
Ans. High energy adventure sports like river rafting, canoeing, rappelling,
rock climbing and mountain biking are a source of attraction for tourists.
Numerous walking trails in the region are with the trekkers.
(iv) the animals you are likely to see in Coorg?
Ans: Some birds and animals which can be seen in Coorg are wild
elephants, monkeys like langurs, Malabar squirrels and slender loris, birds,
bees, butterflies, and macaques.
(v) its distance from Bangalore, and how to get there?
Ans:- Coorg is about 260 km from Bangalore.. The distance is the same
using the two routes from Bangalore to Coorg. The route taken more often is
via Mysore. Kunigal, Chanrayanapatna and Neelamangal are the other
routes which can be taken.
Extract Based Questions
1. Coorgi homes have a tradition of hospitality, and they are more than
willing to recount numerous tales of valour related to their sons and
fathers. The Coorg Regiment is one of the most decorated in the Indian
Army, and the first Chief of the Indian Army, General Cariappa, was a
Coorgi. Even now, Kodavus are the only people in India permitted to
carry firearms without a licence.
(a) The Kodavus in India do not need a licence:
(i) to drive cars.
(ii) to board a train.
(iii) to carry firearms.
(iv) to buy a shop.
Ans. (iii) to carry firearms.
(b) 'Most decorated' means to:
(i) have won most honours.
(ii) have the bravest soldiers.
(iii) have won the greatest battles.
(iv) have the largest army.
Ans.(i) have won most honours.
(c) Give a word from the extract that means 'great courage especially in
the face of danger'.
Ans. Valour
(d) ......... ......... is the antonym of 'few' from the extract.
Ans. Numerous
Extra questions
1.Why is Brahmagiri hills famous?
Ans. Brahmagiri hills bring us into a panoramic view of the entire landscape
of Coorg. One who climbs one of these hills is enchanted with the view of the
misty place.
2. Describe the largest Buddhist settlement in Coorg.
Ans. Below the rolling hills lie the largest Tibetan settlement in India in
Coorg. The Buddhist temple at Bylakuppe is famous for its grandeur and
beauty. The monks in their red, ochre and yellow robes represent the heart
and soul of India, right here in Coorg.
3. Describe the physical and geographical features of Coorg.
Ans. Coorg is a piece of heaven that must have drifted from the Kingdom of
God. This is a land of rolling hills inhabited by proud race of martial men,
beautiful women, coffee and wild elephants. Coorg or Kodagu, is the
smallest district of Karnataka. It is home to evergreen forests, spices and
coffee plantations. This beautiful region of rolling hills, rainforests and mist
lies between Mysore and the coastal town of Mangalore. Rainforests
dominate the physical feature of Coorg They cover more than thirty per cent
of this district. It rains heavily during the monsoons. The most ideal season
for the tourists starts from September and ends in March. The river Kaveri
obtains its water from the hills and rainforests of Coorg. The region abounds
in wild elephants and langurs besides a lot of birds, bees and butterflies.
The Brahmagiri hills provide a panoramic view of the entire misty landscape
of Coorg. The sixty-four acre island of Nisargadhama is a little paradise for
the tourists.
III. Tea From Assam
Extract Based Question
"It was a magnificent view. Against the backdrop of densely wooded
hills a sea of tea bushes stretched as far as the eye could see. Dwarfing
the tiny tea plants were tall sturdy shade-trees and amidst the orderly
rows of bushes busily moved doll-like figures. In the distance was an
ugly building with smoke billowing out of tall chimneys."
(a) What do you think were the 'doll-like' figures?
(i) life-size dolls.
(ii) workers picking tea leaves.
(iii) dolls kept for decoration.
(iv) fake dolls.
Ans. (ii) workers picking tea leaves.
(b) The 'it' refers to the magnificent view of:
(i) the paddy fields.
(ii) the mountains.
(iii) the workers in their colourful clothes.
(iv) the vast stretches of tea bushes.
Ans. (iv) the vast stretches of tea bushes.
(c) Find a word from the extract that means 'flowing out and away'.
Ans. Billowing
(d) Give the antonym of 'towering' from the extract.
Ans. Dwarfing
Answer the following questions
1. In Assam, how are the tea leaves collected?
Ans. In Assam, tea leaves are collected by a group of tea-pluckers who carry
baskets on their backs and wear plastic aprons. They pluck the leaves and
put them in their baskets.
2. Describe, in detail, the amazing journey of Rajvir to Assam.
Ans. Rajvir and Pranjol were travelling by train to Pranjol's hometown,
Assam. Both were discussing about the various legends behind the
discovery of tea. Rajvir was fascinated by the scenic beauty of the place.
There was greenery everywhere and Rajvir had never seen so much greenery
before. Against the backdrop of densely wooded hills, he saw tea gardens as
far as his eye could see.
When they reached Mariani Junction, they were greeted by Pranjol's
parents. They left for Dhekiabari, the tea garden managed by Pranjol's
father. There were acres and acres of neatly pruned tea bushes on both
sides of the gravel road. The women plucking tea leaves looked like dolls. It
was the sprouting period. The whole experience was mesmerising for Rajvir.
3. In your own words, describe the various legends associated with the
discovery of tea.
Ans. There are many popular legends about the discovery of tea. There is a
Chinese legend which says that a Chinese Emperor used to boil water before
drinking it. One day, a few leaves of the twigs burning under the pot fell into
the water which gave it a delicious flavour. It is said that those were tea
leaves.
Another Indian legend says that Bodhidharma, an ancient ascetic, cut off
his eyelids because he felt sleepy during meditations. It is said that ten tea
plants grew out of these eyelids and the leaves of these plants, when put in
hot water and drunk, banished sleep.