Page 147 - Real English 2024 Book 8

A BEACON LIGHT FOR THE POOR

A Reflect

A1 Based on your reading of the text, think carefully about the points given below and form your
own views.
1. The United Nations honoured a poor semi-literate woman in a remote village for her
pioneering work in successfully reducing poverty in her panchayat in just three years.
Fathima is a beacon light for others. Her prestigious award is a reminder to those well-
heeled, well-educated and resourceful classes of people of what they can do with all the
advantages that society has given them.
 Reflect on the advantages that you have compared to people like Fathima.
 Can you think of what you can do to help the less fortunate? You could begin by
thinking of your own family and then of others around you.
 What are some duties that are assigned to you or that you do at home to help your
parents? Is it desirable to have gender-specific roles?
 What can you do to alleviate the suffering of the less fortunate in the
neighbourhood?
2. Fathima Bi got a golden opportunity to make a difference, thanks to the 33 per cent
reservation for women in local bodies.
 Reflect on what all good work women can do if given a chance to be in positions of
power.
 How important is it to involve women in governance?

3. The lesson speaks about the relentless efforts of the simple village women of Kalva
under the leadership of Fathima in spearheading development work in a male-dominated
society.
 Can you think of other barriers or struggles that people face in society? Are there any
other disadvantaged groups that you can think of?

B Understand

B1 Choose the most appropriate answer.

1. Adolescent girls
a) were taught cycling. c) attended literacy classes.
b) were trained in skills. d) all the above

2. This was NOT an impediment in Fathima’s path.
a) lack of formal education c) willpower and determination
b) burden of household work d) child marriage

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