Village Fairs
Mahatma Gandhi used to say that if we want to see real India we should go to the village. Similarly, if we want to See the real spirit of’ Indian life, we shall have to go to see villagers celebrating their fairs. Last year I was invited by a friend to see a fair in his village. Though this fair was not an annual affair; last year it assumed more importance and attracted a large number of visitors because one of’ our senior ministers had very kindly consented to inaugurate it. The minister’s consent “as not an unusual thing since it was an election year.
The village was situated at a distance of about ten miles from Delhi. I travelled by cycle and reached my friend’s house at about noon. It was a cloudy day and the countryside looked beautiful. The minister arrived in time. He was preceded and followed by a number of policemen. In the life of villagers visits by such dignitaries are a very unusual affair. Everyone bowed in deep respect and I was wondering whether the atmosphere created by the presence of the minister was in tune with the gay spirit of the fair.
After the ceremonial departure of the minister, villagers seemed to heave a sigh of relief. They came in increasingly large numbers. They were in their colourful best. Men, women and children were very happily advancing towards the Mela grounds near the tomb of a Muslim saint. Many stalls had sprung up. There were toy sellers and sweetmeat sellers. Every child was forcing his parents to buy toys. The toys the sweetmeats were dust laden as every blow of wind laid a fresh coat of dust on them. There were no roads, only dusty pathways led to the stalls and the fairground.
4’. Some distance from the stalls I saw a juggler performing his tricks. The simple-minded villagers watched his tricks with open-mouthed wonder and felt besides themselves with joy at every new trick. Another group of villagers was enjoying the feast of a rope dancer. Children and women were availing themselves of swinging in the air on ropes tied to the trees. Everywhere and in every heart there was joy. The colourful dress of children and women and their songs added to the beauty of the fair.
Near the tomb, I saw about half a dozen Muslim holy men sitting quietly and receiving the homage of’ the simple villagers who gathered there every year to invoke the blessing of the great saint to keep the evil spirits away from their fields. A group of villagers formed a circle danced hand in hand around the tomb. A couple of women also took part in it.
As evening fell, the fair came to an end. 1’he villagers dispersed as easily as they had gathered. There were no traffic jams, no policemen to control mischief-makers and no voluntary agencies to look after the missing children. Everybody in the village knew one another and there was no fear of loneliness. This show of brotherhood among the villagers deserves to be followed by city-dwellers.
I.Answer the following questions briefly :
1. How did the villagers behave when the minister arrived? Why did they do so?
2. Describe the village fair scene.
3. What were the people doing near the tomb?
4. How was the disposal scene different from those in cities?
II. Choose the most appropriate option:
1. Dignitaries visiting a village is an unusual affair because:
(A) They don’t like villagers (B) they are interested in inaugurations only
(C) Village fairs are not frequent (D) their usual Visits are during elections only
6. After the departure of the minister:
( A) the villagers went back to their home (B) the villagers came in large number to the fair
(C)every one bowed in deep respect (D) no one spoke loudly
7. When a village fair comes to an end, there are:
(A) traffic jams (B) policemen (C) no mischief-makers (D) fearful
8.The word from the passage which means the opposite of ‘homage’ is
(A) respect (B) tribute (C) contempt (D) reverence
ANSWERS:
1. Everyone bowed in deep respect and no one spoke loudly. Because the visits by such dignitaries are a very unusual affair.
2. There were shops of toys, sweetmeats etc. People thronged there in colourful dresses. Performances of a juggler and rope dancer were being enjoyed by people.
3. They were paying homage to some Muslim holy men to invoke the blessings of a great saint to keep evil spirits away from their fields.
4. There were no traffic jams, no policeman to control mischief Makers and no agencies to look after missing children.
5.(D) their usual visits are during elections only
6.(B) the villagers came in large number to the fair
7.(C) no mischief-makers
8.(C) contempt
Download the above Passage in PDF (Printable)
More Comprehension Passages:-
Passage No.141 Village Fairs (523Words Subjective and Objective Solved)
Passage No.142 Chocolate (550 Words objective unsolved)
This passage describes chocolate benefits including chocolate nutrition and chocolate processing. Chocolate brown is widely used these days so chocolate gift has become so common. chocolate day is also celebrated. Read and know more about chocolate colour.
Passage No.143 Alone In The Atlantic Ocean (646 Words Subjective Solved)
Passage No.144 The Plight of Remand Homes (693 Words Subjective/Objective Solved)
Passage No.145 Excursion (622 Words Subjective Solved)
This passage is all about the excursion. It describes excursion meaning like excursion trip uses excursion car. You will know much about excursion school and excursion holidays.
Passage No.146 My Experience (622 Words Subjective Solved)
Passage No.147 Making It To Hospital (655 Words Subjective Solved)
Passage No.148 Style (507 Words Subjective/Objective Unsolved)
Passage No.149 Adapt! Adapt ! (593 Words Subjective Solved)
Passage No.150 Mother (535 Words Subjective/Objective Solved)
This passage is a great mother essay in English. This Mother essay describes mother care in relation to mother and child or mother and baby with mother love.
