78. Reading Skills Comprehension: Country’s Highest Civilian

Country’s Highest Civilian

Read the passages given below and answer the questions that follow them:

1. The government indicated that it was considering conferring the country’s highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, on Dhyan Chand. The Home Ministry has forwarded several recommendations to the PMO for awarding the legendary hockey player. It is now up to PM Narendra Modi to forward his name to the President.

2. In reply to a question in the LokSabha, Minister of State for Home KirenRijiju said, “The recommendations for the Bharat Ratna are made by the Prime Minister to the President of India. Although no formal recommendations for Bharat Ratna are necessary, recommendations have been received from several quarters for Bharat Ratna for Late Major Dhyan Chand. These recommendations have been forwarded. to the Prime Minister’s Office.”

3. Speculation is rife over the identity of this year’s Bharat Rama awardees, even as the government has ordered five medallions from the RBI Mint. Two names discussed most frequently are those of freedom fighter Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and of senior BJP leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

4. There has been a growing demand for conferring the award on Dhyan Chand ever since cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar was given the award this year. The sports ministry had last year recommended Dhyan Chand’s name too, but the PMO nodded in favour of Tendulkar who had just announced his retirement from international cricket.

 5. Many quarters called this a bias in favour of the more popular sport cricket and maintained that Dhyan Chand’s contribution to sports and the nation was greater than Tendulkar’s and that he should have been considered first.

6. Several noted people. have already expressed favourable views on conferring the award on Dhyan Chand. Cricketer WenderSehwag, during a CRPF function, said, “I am not on the panel so I can’t decide whether Dhyan Chand should get the award. But I believe all great sportsmen who have contributed immensely to any sport must be awarded. Sachin Tendulkar has already got the Bharat Ratna. Others too should be considered.”

7. Meanwhile, several BJP MPs, responding to news of Dhyan Chand’s name having been included in the probable awardees list, expressed happiness. Sports Minister SarbanandaSonowal was quoted as saying: “If Major Dhyan Chand is given the Bharat Ratna, we will all be really happy.”

8. Born in 1905, Dhyan Chand earned the moniker of ‘Hockey Wizard’ for his superb skills and ball control. He won three Olympic gold medals for India between 1928 and 1936.

9. Dhyan Chand retired from the game in 1948 and was awarded the Padma Bhushan eight years later. He retired from the Indian Army with the rank of Major and passed away in New Delhi in 1979 at the age of 79. The National Stadium, where the first-ever Asian Games were held in 1951, is named after the great player and at the entrance, houses a giant statue of the legendary player.

Word-Meaning: Indicated—pointed out, Legendary—(here) historically great, a very famous and admired person, Speculations—guesswork, Mint—where the currency is printed or cast, Bias—prejudice, Moniker—(a great) name,

Attempt any eight of the following questions on the basis of the passage you have read.

1. What is the intention of the government regarding conferring the Bharat Ratna award this year?

2. Who has to forward Dhyan Chand’s name to the President of India for the award?

3. What has the government ordered to the RBI Mint?

4. Who was the first sportsman to be awarded the Bharat Ratna award?

5. Are Dhyan Chand’s contribution to sports and the nation lesser than Tendulkar’s?

 6. What does Sehwag say about the award?

7. What was the moniker that Dhyan Chand earned during his lifetime?

8. What is the National Stadium named after?

9. Which word in paragraph 5 means the same as ‘prejudice’?

Answers

1. The intention of the government is to confer the country’s highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna on Dhyan Chand.

2. PM Narendra Modi has to forward Dhyan Chand’s name to the President of India for the award.

3. The government has ordered five medallions from the RBI Mint.

4. Sachin Tendulkar was the first sportsman to be awarded the Bharat Ratna award.

5. No, Dhyan Chand’s contribution to sports and the nation is not lesser than that of Tendulkar’s.

6. Sehwag says that the Bharat Ratna award should be conferred on Dhyan Chand.

 7. Dhyan Chand earned the moniker of “Hockey Wizard” in his lifetime.

 8. The National Stadium, Delhi is named after the great “Hockey Wizard”, Dhyan Chand.

9. Bias.

Download the above Passage Worksheet in PDF (Printable)

More Comprehension Passages:-

CLICK BELOW

Passage No.1.DEMOCRATIC POLITY (550 Words Subjective/Objective Solved)

Passage No-2. BOOKSHOP (600 Words Subjective/Objective Solved)

Passage No-3.SCIENTISTS (600 Words Subjective/Objective Solved)

This scientists essay is all about scientists facts including scientists meaning. There are many scientists from India who made scientists inventions. These are inspiring scientists for kids. Find this scientists biography and read about scientists experiments to celebrate scientists day.

Passage No-4.INDIAN OCEAN (550 Words Subjective/Objective Solved)

This passage is all about Indian Ocean facts which describe Indian Ocean trade also. Go through and gain knowledge

Passage No-5. Trees (550 Words Subjective/Objective Solved)

This trees essay is all about trees for life and trees uses. Trees topic is a widely read topic. You can inspire people through this trees speech for tree plantation. Take trees English challenge. 

Passage No-6. THERAPEUTIC VALUE (550 Words Subjective/Objective Solved)

Passage No-7. MANALI (550 Words Subjective/Objective Solved

Passage No-8.THE PROCESS OF AGEING (500 Words Subjective/Objective Solved)

Passage No-9.EDUCATION (550 Words Subjective/Objective Solved)

This education article gives education definition focusing on education for life. This education paragraph defines the education system in India. So this is the education system in India essay. Read this education essay and learn education meaning.

Passage No-10.TELEVISION (550 Words Subjective/Objective Solved)

This television essay provides a nice television definition and gives real television meaning. This television paragraph also includes a little television history focusing on television invention. Find television disadvantages in this television writing. Salute to television inventor Philo Taylor Farnsworth.

Need our help or have some question