Critical Reflection - Carrier of Words (NCERT Kaveri pages 210-212)

Last updated at July 14, 2026 by

I.1. Read the extract and answer the questions.
“Akaal or famine is a way of life here. In a good year, I get one crop of bajra. That cannot feed my family of five. We would starve without this job,” he says. And for each family which resides in this arid land, survival is partly dependent on money orders remitted by a relative.
  1. Complete the sentence: One crop of bajra makes a little difference for people like Khetaram because __________.
  2. Why did Khetaram term famine as ‘a way of life’?
  3. Give one reason why Khetaram had to take up a job to help his family to survive.
  4. Complete the analogy: Other families: Money orders :: Khetaram: __________
  5. What would ‘a good year’ signify?
How to answer: Answer each subpart separately. Use the extract’s economic details: famine, bajra, family of five and money orders.
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(i) One crop of bajra makes a little difference for people like Khetaram because it cannot feed a family of five for the whole year.

(ii) He calls famine a way of life because drought and crop scarcity are common in his arid region.

(iii) He had to take up the GDS job because farming alone could not support his family.

(iv) Other families: Money orders :: Khetaram: GDS job / assured income .

(v) A good year would signify a year with enough rain to produce one crop of bajra.

I.2. Read the extract and answer the questions.
There is one letter delivery he dreads. The envelope with the right corner torn off, which signifies that the missive bears news of death. “Ashubh Samachar cannot be carried into the house,” says Khetaram. So, he stands outside, reads out the letter twice, then tears it to bits. “Bad news must be destroyed,” he mutters philosophically.
  1. Choose the correct option: Who could have torn the right corner of the envelope?
  2. Complete the sentence: The most likely reason for Khetaram reading the letter twice is because __________.
  3. What was Khetaram’s philosophy regarding bad news, and how did he act upon it?
  4. State whether true or false: Khetaram’s action of tearing the letter differed from his beliefs.
  5. Mention any one aspect of Khetaram’s temperament revealed through this extract.
How to answer: Use Khetaram’s actions in sequence: stands outside, reads twice, tears the letter.
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(i) The correct answer is B. Sender of the letter .

(ii) The most likely reason for Khetaram reading the letter twice is because he wanted to make sure the family heard and understood the sad news clearly.

(iii) Khetaram believed bad news must not be carried into the house and must be destroyed. He stood outside, read the letter twice and then tore it to bits.

(iv) False. His action matched his belief.

(v) The extract reveals his sensitivity and philosophical temperament.

II.1. Justify the statement made by Postmaster-General, Rajasthan Western Region stating that the role of GDS is “invaluable”.
How to answer: Write a 40-60 word answer with one clear reason and one textual detail.
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The role of GDS is invaluable because Gramin Dak Sewaks reach interior areas that are often inaccessible except on foot. They deliver letters, money orders and essential communication to people who may otherwise remain cut off from families, public services and financial support.

II.2. How was the purpose of India Post different from that of the British postal system?
How to answer: Write a 40-60 word answer with one clear reason and one textual detail.
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The British postal system in India was set up to relay company dak between administrative centres. India Post after independence had a broader public mandate: to bring the entire population, including remote rural communities, within the mailing ambit.

II.3. People trusted Gramin Dak Sewaks. Support this statement with any two instances from the text.
How to answer: Write a 40-60 word answer with one clear reason and one textual detail.
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First, villagers are comfortable asking Khetaram to read their letters aloud and draft replies, which shows deep personal trust. Second, rural depositors entrust their monthly savings to local post offices, showing institutional trust in India Post and GDS workers.

II.4. Infer the most likely reason that Khetaram was grateful to continue as GDS, even after the age of 60.
How to answer: Write a 40-60 word answer with one clear reason and one textual detail.
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Khetaram was grateful because the job gave him assured income, dignity and a sense of usefulness. Farming in his arid region could not feed his family reliably, while GDS work allowed him to support his family and continue serving people.

II.5. Explain why the author pays tribute to people like Khetaram.
How to answer: Write a 40-60 word answer with one clear reason and one textual detail.
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The author pays tribute to people like Khetaram because they hold remote communities together through difficult, under-recognised service. They carry letters, money, good news, bad news and trust across harsh geographies, becoming a vital part of the social fabric.

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