Reflect and Respond
I. Look at the pictures given below of persons engaged in the same profession. Discuss in pairs and share your answers with your classmates and teacher.
1. Which profession do they belong to?
Ans: They are part of the postal service, working as postmen or Gramin Dak Sewaks responsible for delivering mail and parcels to people.
2. Do they face any difficulties while doing their duty?
Ans:
- They must journey great distances on foot, by bicycle, or across challenging terrain to deliver mail and parcels.
- They perform their duties in extreme weather conditions, such as blistering heat, swirling sandstorms, pouring rain, and biting cold.
- They transport heavy mailbags to remote, hard-to-reach villages and isolated communities.
- They are sometimes required to deliver sad or distressing news, a task that is emotionally challenging.
3. How does their profession affect the people they meet?
Ans:
- They help families who live far apart stay in touch by delivering their letters and financial support.
- They often deliver happy messages—such as announcements of births, marriages, and job advancements—that bring happiness to recipients.
- In many distant villages, the postman is the main link between the community and the rest of the world.II. Discuss in groups.
1. How can ‘words’ be ‘carried’?
Ans: Words travel through various forms such as handwritten letters, postcards, telegrams, books, and newspapers, as well as digitally via emails, text messages, and social media. A postman delivers these written messages from sender to receiver in different places.
2. Who could be a carrier of words?
Ans: People who carry messages include postmen or Gramin Dak Sewaks, who deliver mail; courier services; journalists; and teachers. In ancient times, messengers or heralds played this role. Nowadays, digital carriers like the internet and mobile phones also transmit words and information.
3. What are the means for people to stay connected?
Ans: People maintain contact using various methods, including written communication like letters and postcards, phone conversations, electronic mail, messaging platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram, video conferencing tools like Zoom and Google Meet, and social networking sites. For those living in far-flung regions, the Gramin Dak Sewak (GDS) postal service continues to be the main way to connect with others.
III. Read the words given in the box below and place them in their appropriate context in the following passage.
Ans: As soon as we got out of the vehicle at the road’s end, our bodies reacted, warning us that visiting the sand dunes in the afternoon was not a wise choice. On our way to the desert, we had passed several small villages. Not a single person was outside, bravely facing the scorching sun. Even the camels rested in the limited shade of the khejri trees. People in this remote region depended on BSNL for connectivity, as there was no other network available.
Check Your Understanding – Part I
I. Fill up the following information sheet for Khetaram.
II. Discuss with your teacher.
1. Why do you think Khetaram has taken up this challenging job?
Ans: Khetaram accepted this challenging position mainly because of financial hardship. In his region, frequent famines make it impossible for a single crop of bajra—even in a good year—to support his family of five. The income from his work as a Gramin Dak Sewak is vital for their survival. Additionally, his long service of over 15 years demonstrates his commitment and responsibility towards his community.
2. How do you think Khetaram would feel about taking up this challenging task every day?
Ans: Khetaram probably experiences tiredness from the physically demanding nature of his work, but this is balanced by a sense of pride and dedication. He covers a long distance of 20 kilometres every day, often in extreme heat, carrying a heavy bag of mail. Despite the challenges, he expresses gratitude for being able to work even after the age of 60. His statement, “Main tayyar hoon” (I’m ready), reflects not only his determination and readiness for the day’s work, but also his strong connection to his community and his ongoing sense of responsibility.
Check Your Understanding – Part II
I. Complete the table given below with the situations given in Column 1 and the reasons in Column 2.
II. Why was a piece of jaggery offered in the village when he brought news of a birth or weddings?
Ans: The villagers have limited means, and jaggery is often the only sweet they can afford. Sharing it is a long-standing custom in India to mark joyful occasions. By offering jaggery to Khetaram when he brings news of a birth or wedding, the villagers show both their humble circumstances and their genuine gratitude for the happiness he delivers.
III. How would phone lines help Khetaram in his job?
Ans: With the introduction of phone lines, Khetaram could take on the role of a Gramin Sanchar Sewak, carrying a mobile phone in addition to the mail. This would enable him to deliver urgent information instantly, eliminating the need for long journeys to deliver single messages. His cheerful declaration, “Main tayyar hoon” (I’m ready), shows his openness and positive attitude towards adopting new technology.
Critical Reflection
I. Read the extracts given below and answer the questions.
Extract 1:
Akaal or famine is a way of life here. In a good year, I get one crop of bajra. That cannot feed my family of five. We would starve without this job,” he says.
And for each family which resides in this arid land, survival is partly dependent on money orders remitted by a relative.
(i) Complete the sentence given below with an appropriate reason.
One crop of bajra makes a little difference for people like Khetaram because __________.
Ans: …it does not provide enough food to sustain a family of five throughout the year. Because droughts happen often, a single harvest cannot guarantee food for all twelve months.
(ii) Why did Khetaram term famine as ‘a way of life’?
Ans: In the dry Thar Desert, experiencing droughts and lack of food is a regular part of life rather than a rare occurrence. Over time, people have become so used to these hardships that famine is now seen as an everyday reality instead of an emergency.
(iii) Give one reason why Khetaram had to take up a job to help his family to survive.
Ans: Even in the best years, a single harvest of bajra could not provide enough food for his family of five. The income from his job as a Gramin Dak Sewak was essential for their survival.
(iv) Complete the analogy given below with a word from the extract.
Other families: Money orders :: Khetaram: __________
Ans: Other families: Money orders :: Khetaram: Job (GDS salary/bajra harvest) — while most families rely on money orders to meet their needs, Khetaram’s livelihood depends on his work as a Gramin Dak Sewak and the bajra he manages to grow.
(v) What would ‘a good year’ signify?
Ans: ‘A good year’ means there is enough rainfall for Khetaram to grow and gather a crop of bajra. Such years are uncommon and bring much-needed relief from the difficult conditions that are typical in the desert.
Extract 2:
There is one letter delivery he dreads. The envelope with the right corner torn off, which signifies that the missive bears news of death. “Ashubh Samachar cannot be carried into the house,” says Khetaram. So, he stands outside, reads out the letter twice, then tears it to bits. “Bad news must be destroyed,” he mutters philosophically.
(i) Choose the correct option for the following question.
Who could have torn the right corner of the envelope?
A. Khetaram B. Sender of the letter C. Receiver of the letter D. The postmaster
Ans: B. Sender of the letter. The torn right corner is a traditional signal from the sender to warn the postman and recipient that the letter contains news of a death.
(ii) Complete the sentence with an appropriate reason.
The most likely reason for Khetaram reading the letter twice is because __________.
Ans: …he wants to make certain that the family hears and clearly understands the unfortunate news, so there is no confusion about what has happened, and to give them a moment to process their grief.
(iii) What was Khetaram’s philosophy regarding bad news, and how did he act upon it?
Ans: Khetaram believes that once sad news is delivered, the physical letter should be destroyed so the pain is not prolonged. His approach is to remain outside the house—since traditionally, bad news should not enter the home—read the letter twice so the family fully understands, and then tear it into pieces. This method shows his respect for cultural traditions and his empathy for the grieving family.
(iv) State whether the following sentence is true or false.
Khetaram’s action of tearing the letter differed from his beliefs.
Ans: False. What Khetaram did was in complete agreement with his beliefs—he thought that bad news should be destroyed, so he tore up the letter after delivering the message. His actions fully reflected his philosophy.
(v) Mention any one aspect of Khetaram’s temperament which is revealed through this extract.
Ans: This extract shows that Khetaram is both kind-hearted and thoughtful. He feels discomfort when he has to deliver news of someone’s death, so he remains outside the home and destroys the letter to lessen the family’s pain. His approach of saying “Bad news must be destroyed” highlights his calm and careful way of handling the emotional challenges of his job.
II. Answer the following questions.
1. Justify the statement made by the Postmaster-General, Rajasthan Western Region, stating that the role of GDS is ‘invaluable’.
Ans:
- Gramin Dak Sewaks (GDS) bring mail to places that no other service can reach—traveling 120 kilometers past the nearest railway, 50 kilometers beyond the last phone signal, and even 10 kilometers further after the road disappears into sand.
- They are often the only connection between distant communities and their relatives, reaching frozen deserts, islands, and riverbank settlements.
- They deliver money orders that are essential for families living in dry areas to survive.
- They also help illiterate villagers by reading letters and writing replies for them—providing a valuable social service that goes well beyond just delivering mail.
- A suggestion to replace GDS workers with patwaris was dismissed, as no one else could fulfill this unique and vital role.
2. How was the purpose of India Post different from that of the British postal system?
Ans: The British postal system in India was mainly designed to transfer official company correspondence between their administrative offices, serving the needs of the colonial rulers rather than the ordinary people. In contrast, after India gained Independence, India Post aimed to include every citizen in its network, no matter how remote their location. This shift is demonstrated by the expansion from 25,000 post offices in 1947 to more than 150,000 today, with the Gramin Dak Sewak (GDS) system making postal services accessible even in the most distant areas of the country.
3. People trusted Gramin Dak Sewaks. Support this statement with any two instances from the text.
Ans:
Instance 1: Villagers had so much faith in Khetaram that they would request him to read their letters and write responses for them. Entrusting him with their private messages shows the high level of trust they placed in him.
Instance 2: People in rural areas trust the post office with their monthly savings. The large number of active savings accounts at each post office shows just how much faith people have in the postal service—and in the local Gramin Dak Sewak, who represents the system in their community.
4. Infer the most likely reason that Khetaram was grateful to continue as GDS, even after the age of 60.
Ans: Khetaram is thankful to continue as a Gramin Dak Sewak after turning 60 mainly because his earnings are crucial for his family’s survival—the bajra crop alone cannot support them, especially in a region often struck by famine. The job’s security, with the possibility to serve until age 65, gives his family steady income in uncertain times. Beyond financial reasons, Khetaram feels a strong responsibility and connection to his community, motivating him to keep helping those he has served for more than 15 years.
5. Explain why the author pays tribute to people like Khetaram.
Ans: The author honors Khetaram because he embodies remarkable commitment and strength despite extremely difficult circumstances—walking long distances every day in extreme heat, working for more than 15 years through sandstorms, helping villagers who cannot read or write, and delivering news of deaths with great care for local customs. Khetaram is often the only person connecting isolated villages to the rest of the world, yet his efforts often go unnoticed. By calling people like Khetaram “part and parcel of our social fabric,” the author highlights how they quietly keep communities united without seeking recognition or praise.
Vocabulary and Structures in Context
I. Study the phrases given in Column 1 and match them with their meanings in Column 2.
Ans:
- crumbles into sand: Over many years, the old fort’s outer wall gradually broke down and turned into sand.
- give a new lease of life: The elderly patient was able to enjoy life again after the operation was successful.
- turn into a trickle before drying out: Because of the dry summer, the large stream slowly shrank to a thin flow before disappearing altogether.
- bearing words across this desolate geography: For many years, Khetaram carried messages through the barren land, helping distant families stay in touch with each other.
II. Identify examples of alliteration and metaphor in the extract given below.
“Khetaram’s khaki turban and uniform are his only protection against the desert’s furies, the scorching summer winds and swirling sandstorms which turn him into a walking sandman.”
Ans:
Alliteration: Phrases like “Khetaram’s khaki” use the ‘k’ sound repeatedly. Similarly, “scorching summer winds and swirling sandstorms” features the repeated ‘s’ sound. Both are examples of alliteration, as the same consonant sound is used at the beginning of closely connected words.
Metaphor: The phrase “the desert’s furies” treats the desert as if it has the emotions and anger of a living being. In the expression “turn him into a walking sandman,” Khetaram is likened to a sandman, meaning he becomes so covered in sand that he resembles a figure made entirely of it.
III. Match the words in Column 1 to what they suggest in Column 2 in the context of the chapter.
Ans (sentences):
- arid: The Thar Desert’s dry landscape covers vast distances, with very little plant life anywhere.
- concessional: The government offered special low-interest loans to farmers who suffered losses because of the flood.
- gaunt: The farmers, thin and weary after months without rain or food, hoped anxiously for rainfall.
- remote: The Gramin Dak Sewak system was created to reach people living in the farthest and most isolated areas of India.
- desolate: At midday, as Khetaram walked across the empty, lonely sands of the Thar Desert, he felt completely isolated.
IV. Study the sentences and their functions. Then fill in the blanks using the present perfect form of the verbs given in brackets.Now, fill in the blanks by using the present perfect form of the verbs given in the brackets to complete the following paragraph.
- I ________ (has/have) just ________ (get) a collection of postage stamps from my grandfather. He
- ________ (collect) these stamps over a period of 20 years. I
- ________ (study) most of the stamps in his collection and loved all of them. I
- ________ (begin) my own collection of postage stamps. Grandfather
- ________ truly ________ (inspire) me.
Ans: 1.I recently received a set of postage stamps from my grandfather. Over the past 20 years, he has gathered these stamps. I have looked through most of his collection and enjoyed each one. Now, I have started my own stamp collection. My grandfather has genuinely motivated me.
V. Active and Passive Voice — Complete the following paragraph about the advice given by Khetaram. One example has been done for you.
Given: “To begin with, a lot of stamina will be needed for this job.”
(i) You will need a lot of stamina for this job.
(ii) Practise reading clearly as some of the villagers will expect you to read out the letters.
(iii) Write words neatly as some villagers will ask you to draft replies.
(iv) Wear full-sleeved shirts and trousers to protect yourself from the heat.
To begin with, a lot of stamina will be needed for this job. Next, reading clearly A. ______________________, as you B. ______________________ to read out the letters by some of the villagers. Words C. ______________________ neatly as you D. ______________________ to draft replies by some villagers. Full sleeved-shirts and trousers E. ______________________ to protect yourself from the heat.
Ans: To begin with, a lot of stamina will be needed for this job. Next, reading clearly A. will need to be practised, as you B. may be expected to read out the letters by some of the villagers. Words C. must be written neatly as you D. may be asked to draft replies by some villagers. Full-sleeved shirts and trousers E. should be worn to protect yourself from the heat.
Speaking Activity
I. The postcard, inland letter, envelope, and money order form were engaged in a discussion on who the most important one was. In groups of four, select one each and reason with each other logically.
Sample arguments for each:
Ans: Postcard:
I believe I am the most valuable because I am the most affordable option—anyone, even someone with little money, can send me. I don’t require an envelope or folding, and my message is always visible and straightforward. Over the years, I have helped countless families stay connected.
Inland Letter:
I would argue that the inland letter is better since it provides privacy—my contents are folded and sealed inside. I also offer more space for longer, personal messages and cost less than a standard envelope with a stamp. My ability to keep messages private makes me especially meaningful.
Envelope:
Some might say a postcard suffices, but I believe my ability to keep things private and to carry various items makes me the most important. I can hold not just letters, but also documents, photographs, and other important papers. While a postcard can only share a few words, I can deliver much more information at once.
Money Order Form:
In my view, I am the most essential of all. While you all carry words, I carry much-needed support. As Khetaram has said, families in dry regions depend on the money orders I deliver. I help provide food, pay for children’s school fees, and cover medical bills. No message can replace the real help I bring.
Writing Task
I. Read the condolence message that Sawant Singh sent to his cousin. Now, on behalf of your parents, draft an imaginary condolence message for your aunt on the recent passing away of her father.
Ans: – Sample Condolence Message
18 March 2026
Dear Kamla Chachi,
We are truly sorry to hear about the loss of your father, our Nana ji. At moments like these, words may seem inadequate, but we want you to know we are thinking of you and your family.
Nana ji was a remarkable person, known for his kindness and wisdom. The memories we have of him will always be cherished and will continue to give us strength. We feel grateful for the time spent with him and all that he taught us.
Please accept our deepest condolences. We pray that his soul finds peace, and that you and your family find comfort and courage to face this difficult time. Remember, we are always here for you if you need anything.
With love,
[Your Parents’ Names]