Introduction
The chapter A Homage to Our Brave Soldiers from the CBSE Class 7 English textbook Poorvi focuses on paying tribute to Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the nation. Through a letter exchange between two friends, Soumya and Ananda, the chapter explores the significance of the National War Memorial, the bravery of soldiers, and the emotions of gratitude, pride, and inspiration evoked by their sacrifices. It also highlights the role of the Armed Forces during wartime and peacetime, encouraging students to reflect on patriotism and courage.
Key Themes
- Patriotism and Sacrifice: The chapter emphasizes the selfless sacrifices of soldiers to protect India’s freedom and territorial integrity.
- Gratitude and Respect: It encourages paying homage to soldiers through memorials, stories, and actions.
- Inspiration and Motivation: The bravery of soldiers inspires students to live meaningfully and consider careers in the Armed Forces.
- Peace and the Cost of War: The text reflects oni the horrors of war and the importance of peace.
Summary
Soumya, a student from Bengaluru, visits the National War Memorial in New Delhi during a school trip and writes a detailed letter to her friend Ananda in Chandigarh. She describes the memorial’s design, its significance, and the stories of gallantry awardees like Lance Naik Albert Ekka and Major Padmapani Acharya. The visit evokes pride, gratitude, and sadness, motivating Soumya to aspire to join the army. Ananda responds, sharing her own reflections, a poem (Pushp ki Abhilasha), and her hobby of stamp collecting. She is inspired to create a collage about inspiring figures and considers joining the Armed Forces. The chapter includes activities to discuss soldiers’ contributions, vocabulary exercises, and prompts to explore the Armed Forces’ mottos and roles.
Key Elements of the Chapter
1. The National War Memorial
- Location and Construction: Located near India Gate, New Delhi, spread over 40 acres. Construction began in April 2018 and was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in February 2019.
- Purpose: A tribute to soldiers who died in wars post-Independence (1947), including the Indo-China Conflict (1962), Indo-Pak Wars (1965, 1971), and Kargil War (1999).
- Design:
- Amar Jawan Jyoti: An eternal flame symbolizing the immortality of soldiers’ spirits, merged with the flame from India Gate in 2019.
- Four Chakras:
- Amar Chakra (Circle of Immortality): Features the obelisk with the eternal flame.
- Veerta Chakra (Circle of Bravery): Displays six bronze murals depicting battle actions.
- Tyag Chakra (Circle of Sacrifice): Granite tablets with 26,000+ names of fallen soldiers, resembling the Chakravyuh formation.
- Raksha Chakra (Circle of Protection): Rows of trees symbolizing soldiers’ role in ensuring national safety.
- Tablets: 29,000 tablets engraved with soldiers’ names.
- Significance: Reminds citizens of the cost of freedom, honors sacrifices, and fosters patriotism.
2. Gallantry Awards and Heroes
- Param Vir Chakra (PVC): India’s highest wartime gallantry award, awarded to 21 soldiers.
- Major Somnath Sharma: First recipient (posthumously) for the Battle of Badgam (1947).
- Lance Naik Albert Ekka: Awarded PVC (posthumously) for the 1971 Indo-Pak War. He silenced enemy machine guns despite severe injuries, ensuring his company’s success.
- Others awarded PVC include Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, and Major Hoshiar Singh (1971).
- Maha Vir Chakra (MVC): Second-highest gallantry award.
- Major Padmapani Acharya: Awarded MVC (posthumously) for the Kargil War (1999). He led his platoon through heavy enemy fire, captured an enemy position, and died of injuries.
- Captain Anuj Nayyar: Awarded MVC (posthumously) for the Kargil War, as mentioned by Ananda.
- Other awards: Kirti Chakra, Vir Chakra, Shaurya Chakra.
- Citations: Detailed accounts of bravery, like Ekka’s and Acharya’s, inspire awe and humility.
3. Emotional Impact
- Soumya’s Feelings:
- Pride: The memorial’s majestic design and soldiers’ stories fill her with national pride.
- Gratitude: She appreciates the freedom enabled by soldiers’ sacrifices.
- Inspiration: Stories of courage motivate her to join the army.
- Sadness: The loss of lives in wars brings tears to her eyes.
- Ananda’s Response * Motivation: She considers joining the Armed Forces and plans to create a collage about inspiring figures.
- Gratitude: She views war memorials as expressions of deep gratitude.
- Connection: Recalls her visit to Chandigarh’s War Memorial and shares a poem.
4. Literary Elements
- Letter Format: The chapter uses letters to convey personal reflections, making it relatable for students.
- Poetry: Pushp ki Abhilasha by Makhanlal Chaturvedi expresses a flower’s wish to honor soldiers, reinforcing the theme of sacrifice.
- Quotes: Major Acharya’s reference to the Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 2, Verse 37) highlights his fearless resolve to fight for the nation.
- Imagery: Descriptions of the memorial’s lighting, wreaths, and eternal flame create a vivid, inspiring atmosphere.
5. Role of the Armed Forces
- Wartime: Protect borders, ensure territorial integrity, and fight in conflicts (e.g., Kargil War, Indo-Pak Wars).
- Peacetime: Contribute to:
- Natural Calamities: Rescue operations during floods, earthquakes, etc.
- Infrastructure Development: Build bridges in remote areas.
- Welfare Initiatives: Organize medical camps, establish libraries, etc.
Vocabulary
- Homage: Public respect or tribute.
- Territorial Integrity: Safeguarding a nation’s borders.
- Envisioned: Visualized or planned.
- Iconic: Widely celebrated.
- Etched: Engraved.
- Gallantry: Exceptional courage in battle.
- Posthumously: After death.
- Citation: Official recognition of meritorious duty.
- Awestruck: Amazed and humbled.
- Commemorates: Remembers officially with respect.
- Obelisk: Tapering stone pillar.
- Wreaths: Floral arrangements for remembrance.
- Interminable: Everlasting.
- Murals: Large wall paintings.
- Discourses: Serious discussions.
- Edifice: Impressive large building.
- Valiant: Very brave.
- Memoir: Personal account of experiences.
Prefixes
- dis- (e.g., disregard): Opposite or absence.
- in- (e.g., inconsequential): Not or opposite.
- im- (e.g., immortal): Not or opposite.
- un- (e.g., undaunted): Not or opposite.
Grammar Focus
- Main and Subordinate Clauses:
- Main Clause: Independent, conveys complete meaning.
- Subordinate Clause: Dependent, needs the main clause for meaning.
- Subordinating Conjunctions: Words like when, because, though, so that connect clauses, indicating time, reason, contrast, or purpose.
- Examples:
- “I aspire to be courageous like him when I join the army!” (Main: I aspire to be courageous like him; Subordinate: when I join the army).
- “Though seriously wounded, he continued to fight.” (Main: he continued to fight; Subordinate: Though seriously wounded).
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