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Indigo
How did the Champaran episode prove to be a turning point in Gandhiji’s life? Explain with the reference to the text, ‘Indigo’.
One Raj Kumar Shukla from Champaran, on the annual meeting of Indian National Congress, apprised Gandhiji about the appalling condition of share-croppers there. Gandhiji reached there and came to know that the large estates were owned by the Englishmen and the Indians worked as their tenant farmers and they had to pay 15% of their land. After the investigations by Gandhi and the lawyers into the grievances of the farmers, it was decided by the Britishers that 25% of the money would be refunded. The farmers learnt that they had their rights and they became courageous. Within a few years the landlords relinquished their claims over the estates and the farmers became the owners.
Gandhi saw their social, economic and cultural backwardness of the area. He appointed volunteers to teach the villagers. Kasturba Gandhi taught the Ashram rules and personal cleanliness and community sanitation. He got a doctor to volunteer his services for six months to improve the health conditions of the people.
They realised the value of self-reliance. The lawyers helped the peasants in their cases. Women gave Gandhi whole hearted support and the countrymen embarked in the national freedom movement. It became a turning point in the career of Gandhiji.
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Why do you think Gandhi considered the Champaran episode to be a turning-point in his life?
How was Gandhi able to influence lawyers? Give instances.
What was the attitude of the average Indian in smaller localities towards advocates of ‘home-rule’?
How do we know that ordinary people too contributed to the freedom movement?
“Freedom from fear is more important than legal justice for the poor.”
Do you think that the poor of India are free from fear after Independence?
The qualities of a good leader.
List the words used in the text that are related to legal procedures. For example : deposition
List other words that you know that fall into this category.
Notice the sentences in the text which are in ‘direct speech’. Why does the author use quotations in his narration?
Notice the use or non-use of the comma in the following sentences:
(a) When I first visited Gandhi in 1942 at his ashram in Sevagram, he told me what happened in Champaran.
(b) He had not proceeded far when the police superintendent’s messenger overtook him.
(c) When the court reconvened, the judge said he would not deliver the judgment for several days.
Choose an issue that has provoked a controversy like the Bhopal Gas Tragedy or the Narmada Dam project in which the lives of the poor have been affected.
Find out the facts of the case.
Present your arguments.
Suggest a possible settlement.
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