Reflect and Respond
I. Given below are four riddles. Read and identify who these people are.
- “In furrows deep, secrets I sow,
As time passes, I watch them grow.”
Ans: A Farmer. The riddle describes the act of sowing seeds in cultivated soil and observing their growth, which constitutes the essential responsibility of a farmer.
- “From wheel to kiln, my skill is born,
Step by step, an art takes form.”
Ans: A Potter (Pot Maker). The riddle illustrates shaping clay on a potter’s wheel and firing it in a kiln, which are defining aspects of the potter’s profession.
- “I lay foundations, brick by brick,
To build a house, it’s me you pick.”
Ans: A Mason / Construction Worker. The riddle refers to constructing foundations and laying bricks, which are central tasks performed by masons or builders.
- “I work with pots, pans, and spice,
Creating dishes that taste so nice.”
Ans: A Cook / Chef. The riddle pertains to an individual who prepares food in a kitchen, utilizing pots, pans, and spices.
II. What is the role and relevance of the people you identified in the riddles? How do they contribute to society?
Ans:
- The Farmer forms the foundation of civilization by cultivating crops that sustain populations and contribute to national food security.
- The Potter preserves cultural traditions by producing functional vessels for daily use and decorative items that transmit artistic heritage across generations.
- The Mason constructs the physical infrastructure of society, including homes, schools, hospitals, and bridges.
- The Cook nourishes communities and maintains regional culinary traditions and food culture. traditions.
These four vocations fulfill fundamental human needs such as food, water, shelter, and nourishment. Despite their essential contributions, their skilled work is frequently overlooked.
Check Your Understanding
I. State whether the following statements are true or false. Also, rectify the false statements.
II. Let us appreciate the poem.
1. Rhyme Scheme and Lineation
(i) Does the poem strictly adhere to a rhyme scheme, or is it in free verse?
Ans: The poem is written in free verse without a regular rhyme scheme. While some lines are musical, there is no consistent pattern. This open structure reflects the poem’s inclusive theme and the diversity of vocations it honors.
(ii) What is the impact of the varying length of lines in the poem?
Ans:
- The varying line lengths mirror the uniqueness of each vocation, with each line differing just as each craft does.
- Longer lines offer detailed descriptions, while shorter lines emphasize key points.
- This structure gives the poem a conversational, spoken-word quality, capturing the authentic sounds and sights of India’s working world.
- The varied line lengths prevent monotony and keep readers engaged through a dynamic rhythm.
(iii) What is the pattern in the structure of most lines of the poem?
Ans: Most lines start by naming a vocation, then describe its tasks or methods (e.g., “The carpenters celebrating; they create anything out of wood with mathematical precision”). This creates a cumulative, catalogue-like effect, building a comprehensive portrait of India’s workers and giving the poem a processional quality.
2. Speaker
(i) Who appears to be the speaker and what is her/his role here?
Ans: The speaker is an attentive, appreciative observer—possibly a poet or thoughtful citizen—who stands among India’s working people and celebrates their contributions. Their role is to witness, honor, and give voice to every vocation. By saying “I hear Bharat celebrating,” the speaker ensures that no worker goes unnoticed or uncelebrated.
3. Tone and Mood
(i) Fill in the blanks with suitable options from the box.
A. The tone is celebratory and reverential, depicting a sense of admiration and respect for the artisans and craftspersons.
B. There is a joyful mood throughout the poem, capturing the vibrancy and richness of cultural traditions and skills.
4. Imagery
(i) Select any two descriptions from the poem that evoke visual images.
Ans:
- Visual Image 1: “The boatmen gathering their nets from the shore, sailing, and singing while at work, return to tell the tales of life at sea”—this line vividly depicts boatmen pulling in nets at the shoreline, their silhouettes visible as they return home.
- Visual Image 2: “Those of craftsperson, each one celebrating their craft, woven with colours and myriad hues”—this line evokes the vibrant scene of craftspeople at work, surrounded by colorful creations.
(ii) Fill in the blanks with suitable phrases.
The poem includes auditory imagery through mentions of artisans with lutes, _____________, and _____________, emphasising the sounds associated with each vocation.
Ans: The poem includes auditory imagery through mentions of artisans with lutes, electricians humming, and the delicious singing of the cook, highlighting the sounds linked to each vocation.
5. Metaphor
(i) State whether the following sentence is true or false:
The mention of ‘delicious singing’ of the cook is a metaphor because it implies that the quality of the singing is so enjoyable or pleasing that it can be equated to the experience of tasting something delicious.
Ans: True. ‘Delicious singing’ is an example of synesthesia, where one sense (taste: ‘delicious’) describes another (hearing: ‘singing’). Synesthesia is a type of metaphor. The cook’s singing is compared to something delicious, suggesting warmth, pleasure, and vitality.
6. Personification
(i) Select the line that tells us that the poet personifies vocations by attributing human-like qualities to them.
Ans: The line is: “The voice of their vocation is the voice of their identity.”
Here, a vocation—an abstract concept—is given a human quality: a voice. This personifies it as something that can speak and express, making work a living entity that carries the worker’s identity and elevates it beyond economic activity.
7. Repetition
(i) Why might the poet have begun and ended with the same line — ‘I hear Bharat celebrating, the varied vocations I hear!’?
Ans:
- Structural unity: The repeated line creates a circular structure, suggesting India’s vocational richness is ongoing.
- Emphasis: Repetition reinforces that Bharat celebrates all vocations together.
- Musical quality: The repetition gives the poem a rhythmic, hymn-like quality, like a joyful national chorus.
- Ongoing act: Beginning and ending with “I hear” suggests that celebrating India’s vocations is a continuous, ongoing act.
8. Alliteration
(i) Identify two examples of alliteration from the poem.
Ans:
- Example 1: “celebrating their craft”—repetition of the ‘c’ sound in “celebrating” and “craft.”
- Example 2: “sailing, and singing”—repetition of the ‘s’ sound, creating a smooth, flowing effect that mimics a boat’s gentle motion.
9. Symbolism
(i) Each vocation in the poem symbolises something more than just a job. What does it symbolise?
Ans:
- Identity and selfhood: “The voice of their vocation is the voice of their identity”—a person’s craft is not just what they do, but who they are.
- Cultural heritage: Craftspersons and artisans preserve traditions, passing knowledge and values across generations.
- Dignity of labour: By celebrating every craft equally, the poem challenges social hierarchies. The electrician is as valued as the designer; the shoemaker as the architect.
- The living soul of Bharat: All vocations together represent working India—hands, voices, and skills that keep the nation thriving.
Critical Reflection
I. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.
The shoemakers affirming the quality of their work, for the feet that walk, dance, run, jump, return home.
The delicious singing of the cook, or the rhythm of designer, mason, each celebrating what belongs to them and to none else,
1. The poet says that the shoemakers ‘affirm’ the quality of their work. What does ‘affirm’ refer to here?
(i) to make adjustments in
(ii) to declare with confidence
(iii) to label the goods
(iv) to justify the efforts
Ans: (ii) to declare with confidence. The shoemakers proudly affirm the quality of their work, reflecting self-respect and pride in their craft.
2. What do quality shoes help with, according to the poet?
Ans: Quality shoes enable people to walk, dance, run, jump, and return home, supporting all aspects of daily life from work to leisure.
3. What does ‘return home’ symbolise besides the literal act of returning?
Ans:
- It symbolizes safety and completion—the shoemaker’s craft ensures safe journeys through all of life’s activities.
- It symbolizes the full circle of life—from venturing out to returning to one’s roots and relationships.
- It symbolizes belonging and identity—“home” is not just a place but an emotional and spiritual anchor. The shoemaker helps people stay connected to who they are.
4. Identify the phrase that tells us that every worker’s contribution is distinct.
Ans: The phrase is: “each celebrating what belongs to them and to none else.” The words “to none else” highlight that each worker’s skill and identity are unique and irreplaceable.
5. Complete the following with suitable words:
…for the feet that walk, dance, run, jump, return home refers to ___________.
Ans: …refers to all the varied activities and journeys of life—work, celebration, movement, and safe return home—made possible by the shoemaker’s craftsmanship.
II. Answer the following questions.
1. Why does the poet say, ‘I hear Bharat celebrating, the varied vocations I hear’?
Ans: The poet uses this line to show that India’s true identity is found in the daily work of its people. The sounds of work—the carpenter’s tap, the electrician’s hum, the boatman’s song—are a form of celebration. India honors its vocations through everyday work, not just festivals. The repeated “I hear” emphasizes the speaker’s active recognition of workers as the nation’s true identity.
2. What does the electrician ‘humming’ while getting ready for work suggest?
Ans:
- It suggests the electrician approaches work with contentment and purpose; humming reflects a positive, relaxed mindset.
- It humanizes the electrician, showing someone at ease in their vocation rather than burdened by it.
- It creates an auditory image, as the hum poetically mirrors the sound of electricity through a wire.
- It reflects the poem’s theme of dignity of labor—the electrician hums cheerfully, treating work as a calling.
3. Explain the significance of the line, ‘The voice of their vocation is the voice of their identity.’
Ans:
- Vocation as self-expression: A person’s work is inseparable from their identity—the potter’s is in the clay they shape; the boatman’s in the sea they sail.
- Work as voice: Each craftsperson expresses themselves through their work—the carpenter through furniture, the weaver through cloth—carrying their personality, culture, and values.
- Dignity and respect: All vocations deserve equal respect, as each represents the unique voice of an individual. Dismissing any vocation silences that person’s identity.
- Cultural continuity: Many vocations are passed down through generations, making the “voice of their vocation” a living bridge between past and present.
4. Do you think the role of all the people belonging to different vocations is important in our daily lives? Support your answer with a reason.
Ans: Yes. Everyday life relies on many vocations: farmers provide food, potters make cookware, masons and carpenters build our homes, electricians supply power, shoemakers provide footwear, and boatmen bring fish. If any vocation disappeared, daily life would be disrupted. Society depends on this interdependent network, and respecting every vocation is essential to sustaining civilization.
5. Why is the poet celebrating all the vocations in the poem? Explain by giving examples from your context.
Ans: The poet celebrates all vocations because they form society’s foundation, yet many workers remain unseen and unappreciated. The poem recognizes each vocation, asserting that none is minor or unworthy.
From our own context:
- The raddi-wallah (scrap collector) ensures recycling of paper, metal, and plastic — an environmental worker rarely acknowledged.
- The dhobi or launderer ensures hygiene and dignity for those who cannot wash their own clothes.
- The auto-rickshaw driver ferries students, workers, and patients daily — a vital connector of urban life.
- The safai karamchari (sanitation worker) cleans streets and drains before dawn — performing one of the most essential public health services.
The poet urges society to recognize these workers as we do doctors, engineers, and teachers.
6. How does the poet use sensory imagery to bring out the beauty of everyday work?
Ans:
- Auditory imagery: “The artisans with lutes, each hailing varied emotions”; “The electricians humming”; “The boatmen sailing, and singing while at work”; “The delicious singing of the cook”—these lines bring the poem alive with the sounds of India at work.
- Visual imagery: “Craftspersons celebrating their craft, woven with colours and myriad hues” and “The boatmen gathering their nets from the shore”—these lines paint vivid pictures of skilled people in action.
- Synesthetic imagery: “The delicious singing of the cook” blends taste and sound, capturing the cook’s joyful essence.
- Kinetic imagery: References to carpenters working with “mathematical precision,” the rhythm of the designer and mason, and feet that “walk, dance, run, jump” evoke movement and the physical nature of craft.
Together, these images turn a simple list of professions into a vibrant celebration of human work in all its color, sound, and vitality.
Vocabulary in Context
I. Match the vocations with the descriptions that follow.
II. Identify the word from Column 2 that is NOT a synonym of the word in Column 1.
Ans:
Speaking Activity
The poet speaks of several occupations in the poem. Create groups of five. Allot the role of any five vocations that the poet talks about. Each student in the group will represent one vocation. Each student speaks for 1–2 minutes about their vocation—who they are, what they do, where they work, what kind of experiences they have at work, what problems they face, and a message for all.
Ans: Below are sample 1–2 minute monologues for five vocations from the poem. Each includes the speaker’s identity, work, workplace, experiences, challenges, and a message. Students may adapt these to their context.
1. The Craftsperson (Weaver)
I am Ramavva, a traditional weaver from a small village in Karnataka. My day begins at dawn, weaving colourful threads—red, green, gold, and blue—into intricate patterns at my loom. These designs, passed down through generations in my family, are more than just work; they are a form of artistic expression and cultural heritage. Creating a single saree by hand can take up to a week, but seeing it worn on a special occasion is deeply rewarding. However, modern power looms in cities can make sarees much faster and at a lower cost, which creates challenges for artisans like me. Many people understandably buy the less expensive, machine-made options. Still, when you choose handwoven cloth, you are embracing the legacy, skill, and dedication of families who have preserved this craft over centuries. Handmade textiles carry the value of human creativity and tradition—something no machine can truly replace.
2. The Carpenter
My name is Suresh, and I am a carpenter from Rajasthan. The scent of sawdust and linseed oil fills my workspace, a reminder of honest, hands-on labor. I craft with woods like teak, sheesham, and mango, transforming raw planks into furniture made to endure for decades. Precision is key in my work; I always double-check measurements before making a cut. Over the years, I have built everything from cradles for infants to sturdy chairs for elders, as well as temple doors and classroom desks. Carpentry is often undervalued, with many believing it requires little skill and trying to lower my pay. However, each connection and curve in my work is the result of years of experience. The next time you use a wooden chair or door, consider the craftsmanship involved. Carpenters do more than shape wood—we help create the environments where lives unfold.
3. The Electrician
Hello, my name is Priya, and I am an electrician with twelve years of experience working with electrical systems. Whenever there is a power outage or electrical issue, people rely on me to fix the problem. Equipped with my tools and expertise, I restore electricity to homes, hospitals, factories, and schools, ensuring daily life runs smoothly. My profession comes with significant risks—working with live wires is dangerous, and even a small mistake can have serious consequences. Unfortunately, many people do not realize how hazardous this work can be, and I have witnessed accidents when safety guidelines were ignored. Despite these challenges, I enjoy my job, and I often hum while working because it brings me satisfaction. I urge everyone to appreciate the professionals who safely maintain electrical systems. Remember, electricity powers so much in our lives, and only trained electricians should handle repairs to prevent accidents and injuries.
4. The Boatman
I am Murugan, a boatman living along the coast of Tamil Nadu. Each day begins long before sunrise, as I set out onto the ocean in search of fish. The sea is where I work—a place that can be bountiful but also unpredictable and perilous. There are days when my nets are full, and I can earn a good income at the market, but there are also days of storms, rough waves, or empty nets, when I return with nothing but worries about repaying boat loans. My family is always anxious until I am safely home. Despite the hardships, I would not trade this life for any other; I feel most connected to myself and to nature on the water. When I sing as I row, it is a way of showing respect to the sea that sustains us. Please remember, the fish you eat is the result of hard work and risk taken by people like me. Supporting responsible fishing helps keep our livelihoods and the ocean healthy for future generations.
5. The Shoemaker / Cobbler
My name is Rajan, and I have been making and repairing shoes at a stall near our town’s market for over two decades. I am familiar with every type of leather, sole, and stitching technique. Over the years, I have fixed shoes for children, who sometimes return to thank me, and restored old sandals for elderly women who could not afford to buy new pairs. I take pride in every shoe I work on. Although my work is sometimes looked down on because I sit on the ground to do it, it’s essential—many people would struggle without well-repaired shoes. My challenges include the rising cost of materials and the increase in cheap, disposable footwear that people often throw away instead of repairing. My advice is to appreciate the value of repairing shoes rather than replacing them. A skilled cobbler can extend the life of your favorite shoes, helping you move comfortably and safely through life. I take great pride in my craft every day.
Writing Task
I. Your school will be organising a ‘Career Mela’ in which students are to be made familiar with the different career options. Complete the poster for the event given below.
Sample Completed Poster for Career Mela
GREEN VALLEY PUBLIC SCHOOL
Sector 12, Chandigarh
presentes
CAREER ME 2024
Explore Opportunities, Shape Your Future!
Date: 2th5 Februar
Time: 9:00 a.m.–o 6:00 p.m
Venue: School Auditorium,Sector 12
Event Features:
• Resource booths and guidance for Science, Commerce, Humanities, and Vocational streams
• Expert career counselors for personal queries and exam preparation
• Interactive sessions and Q&A with professionals from business, healthcare, law, arts, and skilled trades
- • Skill showcases by vocational experts and artisans
- • College, coaching, and skill development stalls
- Plan Your Path at the CAREER MELA!
- Open to all students (Classes 8–12) and parents | Free Entry
- In association with District Education Office, Chandigarh
Principal, Green Valley Public School