Chapter 7

Glimpses of India

(For Hindi , Open this website in google chrome and translate it in Hindi)

1. A Baker from Goa

Bakers of Goa known as pader

In old Portuguese days, the people of goa ate loaves of bread. Now these loaves have disappeared. But their makers are still there. The furnaces also exist there even now. The sound of the traditional Baker's bamboo can still be heard. Someone of the family still carries this business. These bakers are known as pader in goa even today.

Coming of the baker

The baker used to be the author's freind and guide. He used to come twice a day. The sound of his bamboo woke the author and other from sleep. The author used to run to him for bread- bangles. The maid servant used to buy loaves and carry them inside the house.

Delivering the loaves

The baker came with the jhang, jhang' sound of his bamboo staff. One hand supported the basket on his head. The other banged the bamboo on the ground. The baker would place the basket on the bamboo. The author and others would look into his basket. They would eat the loaves with hot tea. They would not brush their teeth.

Importance of bread

The baker was very important for all occasion. Marriage gift were meaningless without the sweet bread called bol. Sandwiches, cakes and bolinhas were made with the bread.

Baker's dress

The baker or bread- seller of the past had a peculiar dress. It was known as the kabai. It was a single- piece long frock. It reached down to the knees. It is similar to half pants of today.

Baker - a happy family

The baker usually collected his bills at the end of the months. Baking was a profitable profession in the olden days the Baker and his family never starved. Their fat bodies showed that they were happy and Burn or poor not poor.

2. Coorg

Coorg - a heavenly place

Coorg lies between the The coastal town of Mangalore and Mysore it is a very beautiful place like heaven it must have come from the kingdom of God. Strong man beautiful woman and wild creatures live in it.

Coorg 's weather and environment

Coorg aur kudaku who is the smallest district of Karnatak it has evergreen forest spices and coffee plantation many visitors come to it between September and March the weather is fine then the year is full of coffee flavour.

People of coorg - origin etc

The people of Coorg are of Greek or Arabic descent. The Story Goes that a part of of Alexander Army settled here its return become impractical these people married among the locals this culture is seen in the martial tradition marriage and religious rites the Arab origin is seen in the long black coat worn by the kodavas it is known as kupia it is like the Kuffia worn by the arabas and the kurds.

Coorg and its people

Coorgi homes have a tradition of hospitality the people have many tales of bravery Coorg first regiment is is one of the most decorated in the Indian Army general Cariappa the first army chief was a Coorg even today kodavas are the only people in India to carry firearms without a licence.

Its wildlife

The river Kaveri gets its water from Coorg forest and hills . Mahaseer, the largest fresh water fish is found in in these waters Kingfisher squirrels and langoor are found near these waters . Birds, bees and butterflies give one a good company here. Elephant enjoy being bathed here by their mahouts.

The landscape

The brahmagiri Hills give the the climber a whole view of Coorg a walk across the Rope Bridge lead to the 64 acre island of nisargadhama. Buddhist monks from India's tibetan settlement live in Bylakuppe here. One can see them dresses in red, ochre and yellow robes.

3. Tea from Assam

Rajveer and Pranjal on way to Assam Rajveer and Pranjal travelling to Assam . A tea vendor called ' chai - garam........ Garam - chai '. They took tea and sipped it. Rajvir told pranjol that over 800,000,000 cups of tea are drunk everyday throughout the world.

Tea garden seen

Rajveer looked at the beautiful scenery outside Pranjal kept reading detective book there was greenery outside soon the soft green paddy fields gave way to tea - bushes. Tea - bushes spread as far as the eye could see. There were shade trees also over the areas. In the distance there was an ugly building. It was a tea - garden.

About legends behind tea

They were in Assam, the tea country Assam has the largest concentration of tea plantation in the world. Rajvir told pranjol that no one really knew who discovered tea. There are many legends about it.

Chinese legend

A Chinese emperor always boiled water before drinking it one day a few leaves of branches burning under the pot fell into the water. It gave a delicious flavor. These were tea leaves.

Indian legend

Bodhidharma, a Buddhist monk cut off his eyelids because he felt sleepy during meditation. Ten tea plants grew out of his eyelids. These leaves when put in hot water and drunk, banished sleep.

Tea and china

Rajvir told pranjol that tea was first drunk in China. It was as far back as 2700 B. C. Words like chai and chini are Chinese. Tea came to Europe in the sixteenth century. It was then drunk more as medicine.

Reaching the destination

Both of them dropped at mariani junction. They were driven to Dhekiabari tea Estate. On both sides of the roads there were acres and acres of tea. Bushes. Women with bamboo basket were plucking the new leaves from them.

Rajvir ' s knowledge about tea plantation

Pranjol 's father received them there. They had come there in the sprouting season. It lasts from may to July. It gives out the best tea. Rajvir told this to pranjol s father. He told rajvir that he knew many things about tea plantation. Rajvir told him that he would learn more about them there.

We Hope CBSE/MP Board Class 10th English "First Flight" Chapter 7 "Glimpses of India" will help you.

Written By - Khushi Baghel