At the High School
A. Lead In
As you all know, Mahatma Gandhi (born in 1869) was one of the tallest leaders of the world. He was the greatest of our independence movement. He is popularly called the Father of the Nation.
But before he became the Mahatma (Great Soul) in his later life, Gandhi received his early education at Rajkot English School in Rajkot in the state of Gujarat. Later it became a full-fledged High School and came to be known as Rajkot High School. Gandhi matriculated from this school in 1887 at the age of 18. After independence in 1947, the school was renamed the "Mohandas Gandhi High School" in honour of the Father of the Nation.
According to several accounts, Gandhi was not so brilliant as a student. He was noted to be good at English, fair in Arithmetic, weak in Geography, good in conduct and bad in handwriting. Though he did not have any high regard for his "ability", he was astonished whenever he won prizes and scholarships.
Let's read the following text to know some more interesting facts on Gandhi's experience of high school days as he himself had described it in his autobiography named "My Experiment with Truth". (Chapter 5).
B. The text:
Read the text silently and answer the questions that follow.
I was not regarded as a fool at the high school. I always enjoyed the affection of my teachers. Certificates of progress and character used to be sent to the parents every year. I never had a bad certificate. In fact, I even won prizes after I passed out of the second standard. In the fifth and sixth I obtained scholarships of rupees four and ten respectively, an achievement for which I have to thank good luck more than my merit.
My own recollection is that I did not have any high regard for my ability. I used to be astonished whenever I won prizes and scholarships. But I very jealously guarded my character. The least little blemish drew tears from my eyes. When I merited, or seemed to the teacher to merit 2. a rebuke, it was unbearable for me. I remember having once received corporal punishment. I did not so much mind the punishment as the fact that it was considered my desert. I wept piteously. That was when I was in the first or second standard. There was another such incident during the time when I was in the seventh standard. Dorabji Edulji Gimi was the headmaster then. He was popular among the boys, as he was a disciplinarian, a man of method and a good teacher. He made gymnastics and cricket compulsory for the boys of upper standard. I disliked both. I never took part in any exercise, cricket or football, before they were made compulsory. My shyness was one of the reasons for this aloof-ness, which I now see wrong. I had then the false notion that gymnastics had nothing to do with education. Today I know that physical training should have much place in the curriculum as mental training.
The reason for my dislike was my keen desire to serve as nurse to my father. As soon as the school closed, I would hurry home and begin serving him. Compulsory exercise came directly in the way of this ser-vice. I requested Mr Gimi to exempt me from gymnastics so that I might 3. be free to serve my father. But he would not listen to me. Now it hap-pened that one Saturday, when we had school in the morning, I had to come from home to school for gymnastics at four o'clock in the after-noon. I had no watch, and the cloud deceived me. Before I reached the school, the boys had all left. The next day Mr Gimi examining the roll, found me marked absent. Being asked for the reason of absence, I told him what had happened. He refused to believe me and ordered me to pay a fine of one or two annas.
I was convicted of lying! That deeply pained me. How was I to prove my innocence? There was no way. I cried in deep anguish. I saw that a man of truth must also be a man of care. This was the first time and 4. last instance of my carelessness in school. I had a faint recollection that I finally succeeded in getting the fine remitted. The exemption from exercise was of course obtained as my father wrote himself to the head-master saying that he wanted me at home after school.
But though I was none the worse for having neglected exercise, I am still paying the penalty of another neglect. I do not know whence I got the notion that good handwriting was not a necessary part of education, but I retained it until I went to England. When later, especially in South 5. Africa, I saw the beautiful handwriting of lawyers and young men born and educated in South Africa, I was ashamed of myself and repented of my neglect. I saw that bad handwriting should be regarded as a sign of an imperfect education. I tried later to improve mine, but it was too late. I could never repair the neglect of my youth. Let every young man and woman be warned by my example, and understand that good handwriting is a necessary part of education. I am now of the opinion that children should first be taught the art of drawing before learning to write. Let the child learn his letters by observation as he does different objects, such as flowers, birds, etc., and let him learn handwriting only after he has learnt to draw objects. He will then write a beautifully formed hand.
Sanskrit, however, proved a harder task. In geometry there was noth-ing to memorise, whereas in Sanskrit, I thought, everything had to be learnt by heart. This subject was also commenced from the fourth standard. As soon as I entered the six, I became disheartened. The teacher was a hard taskmaster, anxious, as I thought, to force the boys. There was a sort of rivalry going on between the Sanskrit and the Persian teachers. The Persian teacher was lenient. The boys used to talk among themselves that Persian was very easy and the Persian teacher, was very good and considerate to the students. The 'easiness' tempted me and one day I sat in the Persian class. The Sanskrit teacher was grieved. He called me to his side and said: How can you forget that you are the son of a Vaishnava father? Won't you learn the language of your own religion? If you have any difficulty, why not come to me? I want to teach you students Sanskrit to the best of my ability. As you proceed further, you will find in it things of absorbing interest. You should not lose heart. Come and sit again in the Sanskrit class.
This kindness put me to shame. I could not disregard my teacher's affection. Today I cannot but thank with gratitude of Krishnashankar Pandya. For if I had not acquired the little Sanskrit that I learnt then, I 7. should have found it difficult to take any interest in our sacred books. In fact I deeply regret that I was not able to acquire a more thorough knowledge of the language.
M.K. Gandhi
C. About the Author:
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (2 October 1869-30 January 1948) was India's greatest leader, who employed non-violence to lead the successful campaign for India's independence from British Rule, and in turn inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world.
'The Story of My Experiments with Truth', 'Hind Swaraj' or 'Indian Home Rule' are some of the leading books by Mahatma Gandhi.
In the present extract, Gandhi focuses on his life and learning at high school.
I’ll start from the beginning of the exact and cover it continuously, without blank lines between entries.
Glossary — At the High School
Lead In (ଲିଡ୍ ଇନ୍) : An introduction to a subject : ବିଷୟର ପରିଚୟ Tallest (ଟଲେଷ୍ଟ୍) : Greatest or most important : ସର୍ବଶ୍ରେଷ୍ଠ; ଅତ୍ୟନ୍ତ ମହାନ Leader (ଲିଡର୍) : A person who leads others : ନେତା Independence Movement (ଇଣ୍ଡିପେଣ୍ଡେନ୍ସ୍ ମୁଭ୍ମେଣ୍ଟ୍) : The struggle to gain freedom from foreign rule : ସ୍ୱାଧୀନତା ଆନ୍ଦୋଳନ Popularly (ପପ୍ୟୁଲର୍ଲି) : Commonly; widely : ସାଧାରଣତଃ; ବ୍ୟାପକ ଭାବରେ Father Of The Nation (ଫାଦର୍ ଅଫ୍ ଦ ନେସନ୍) : A title given to a person regarded as the chief founder or leader of a nation : ଜାତିର ପିତା ଭାବେ ସମ୍ମାନିତ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି Mahatma (ମହାତ୍ମା) : A great soul; a highly respected person : ମହାନ ଆତ୍ମା; ମହାନ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି Early Education (ଆର୍ଲି ଏଡ୍ୟୁକେସନ୍) : Education received during childhood : ବାଲ୍ୟକାଳର ଶିକ୍ଷା Rajkot English School (ରାଜକୋଟ୍ ଇଂଲିଶ୍ ସ୍କୁଲ୍) : The English school where Gandhi received part of his early education : ଗାନ୍ଧୀଜୀଙ୍କ ପ୍ରାରମ୍ଭିକ ଶିକ୍ଷାର ଏକ ବିଦ୍ୟାଳୟ State (ଷ୍ଟେଟ୍) : A political division of a country : ରାଜ୍ୟ Full-Fledged (ଫୁଲ୍-ଫ୍ଲେଜ୍ଡ୍) : Fully developed or complete : ସମ୍ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ବିକଶିତ; ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣାଙ୍ଗ Came To Be Known As (କେମ୍ ଟୁ ବି ନୋନ୍ ଆଜ୍) : Became known by a particular name : ଏକ ନିର୍ଦ୍ଦିଷ୍ଟ ନାମରେ ପରିଚିତ ହେଲା Matriculated (ମ୍ୟାଟ୍ରିକ୍ୟୁଲେଟିଡ୍) : Passed the matriculation examination : ମାଟ୍ରିକ୍ ପରୀକ୍ଷା ପାସ୍ କଲେ In Honour Of (ଇନ୍ ଅନର୍ ଅଫ୍) : To show respect for someone : କାହାକୁ ସମ୍ମାନ ଜଣାଇବା ପାଇଁ According To (ଅକର୍ଡିଙ୍ଗ୍ ଟୁ) : As stated or reported by : ଅନୁସାରେ; ମତାନୁସାରେ Brilliant (ବ୍ରିଲିଆଣ୍ଟ୍) : Extremely intelligent : ଅତ୍ୟନ୍ତ ବୁଦ୍ଧିମାନ Noted (ନୋଟିଡ୍) : Known or observed for a particular quality : ଏକ ବିଶେଷ ଗୁଣ ପାଇଁ ପରିଚିତ Conduct (କନ୍ଡକ୍ଟ୍) : Behaviour; the way a person behaves : ଆଚରଣ; ବ୍ୟବହାର Handwriting (ହ୍ୟାଣ୍ଡ୍ରାଇଟିଙ୍ଗ୍) : A person's style of writing by hand : ହସ୍ତାକ୍ଷର Regarded (ରିଗାର୍ଡିଡ୍) : Considered; thought of : ବିବେଚିତ; ଭାବିତ Fool (ଫୁଲ୍) : A stupid person : ମୂର୍ଖ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି Affection (ଅଫେକ୍ସନ୍) : Love and fondness : ସ୍ନେହ; ମମତା Certificate (ସର୍ଟିଫିକେଟ୍) : An official written document : ପ୍ରମାଣପତ୍ର Progress (ପ୍ରୋଗ୍ରେସ୍) : Development; improvement : ଉନ୍ନତି; ପ୍ରଗତି Character (କ୍ୟାରେକ୍ଟର୍) : Moral qualities of a person : ଚରିତ୍ର Passed Out (ପାସ୍ଡ୍ ଆଉଟ୍) : Completed a particular stage of education : ଶିକ୍ଷାର ଏକ ନିର୍ଦ୍ଦିଷ୍ଟ ସ୍ତର ସମାପ୍ତ କରିବା Standard (ଷ୍ଟାଣ୍ଡାର୍ଡ୍) : A class or grade in a school : ଶ୍ରେଣୀ Obtained (ଅବ୍ଟେଇନ୍ଡ୍) : Got; received : ପାଇଲେ; ପ୍ରାପ୍ତ କଲେ Scholarship (ସ୍କଲାର୍ସିପ୍) : Money given to a deserving student for education : ଛାତ୍ରବୃତ୍ତି Respectively (ରିସ୍ପେକ୍ଟିଭ୍ଲି) : In the same order as mentioned : ଯଥାକ୍ରମେ Achievement (ଅଚିଭ୍ମେଣ୍ଟ୍) : Something successfully achieved : ସଫଳତା; ଅର୍ଜନ Merit (ମେରିଟ୍) : Ability or quality deserving praise : ଯୋଗ୍ୟତା; ଦକ୍ଷତା Good Luck (ଗୁଡ୍ ଲକ୍) : Good fortune : ସୁଭାଗ୍ୟ Recollection (ରେକଲେକ୍ସନ୍) : Memory of something : ସ୍ମୃତି High Regard (ହାଇ ରିଗାର୍ଡ୍) : Great respect or a high opinion : ଉଚ୍ଚ ସମ୍ମାନ; ଉଚ୍ଚ ଧାରଣା Astonished (ଆଷ୍ଟନିଷ୍ଟ୍) : Greatly surprised : ଆଶ୍ଚର୍ଯ୍ୟଚକିତ Jealously (ଜେଲସ୍ଲି) : With great care to protect something : ଅତ୍ୟନ୍ତ ଯତ୍ନର ସହିତ Guarded (ଗାର୍ଡିଡ୍) : Protected; carefully preserved : ସୁରକ୍ଷା କଲେ; ରକ୍ଷା କଲେ Character (କ୍ୟାରେକ୍ଟର୍) : Moral behaviour and qualities : ନୈତିକ ଚରିତ୍ର Blemish (ବ୍ଲେମିଶ୍) : A small fault or imperfection : ଛୋଟ ଦୋଷ; କଳଙ୍କ Drew Tears (ଡ୍ରୁ ଟିଅର୍ସ) : Caused tears to come into the eyes : ଆଖିରେ ଲୁହ ଆଣିଦେଲା Merited (ମେରିଟିଡ୍) : Deserved : ଯୋଗ୍ୟ ଥିଲା; ପ୍ରାପ୍ତିଯୋଗ୍ୟ ଥିଲା Rebuke (ରିବ୍ୟୁକ୍) : Scolding; severe criticism : ଭର୍ତ୍ସନା; ତୀବ୍ର ଗାଳି Unbearable (ଅନ୍ବେରେବଲ୍) : Too painful or difficult to bear : ଅସହ୍ୟ Corporal Punishment (କର୍ପୋରାଲ୍ ପନିଶ୍ମେଣ୍ଟ୍) : Physical punishment : ଶାରୀରିକ ଦଣ୍ଡ Mind (ମାଇଣ୍ଡ୍) : Be troubled or bothered by something : କିଛି ନେଇ ମନ ଖରାପ କରିବା; ବିଚଳିତ ହେବା Desert (ଡିଜର୍ଟ୍) : Something that one deserves : ପ୍ରାପ୍ୟ ଦଣ୍ଡ; ଯୋଗ୍ୟ ଫଳ Wept (ୱେପ୍ଟ୍) : Cried : କାନ୍ଦିଲେ Piteously (ପିଟିଅସ୍ଲି) : In a very sad manner : ଅତ୍ୟନ୍ତ ଦୁଃଖର ସହିତ Incident (ଇନ୍ସିଡେଣ୍ଟ୍) : An event : ଘଟଣା Headmaster (ହେଡ୍ମାଷ୍ଟର୍) : The head of a school : ପ୍ରଧାନଶିକ୍ଷକ Disciplinarian (ଡିସିପ୍ଲିନେରିଆନ୍) : A person who strictly maintains discipline : ଶୃଙ୍ଖଳାପ୍ରିୟ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି Method (ମେଥଡ୍) : A particular way of doing something : ପଦ୍ଧତି Compulsory (କମ୍ପଲ୍ସରି) : Required; obligatory : ବାଧ୍ୟତାମୂଳକ Upper Standard (ଅପର୍ ଷ୍ଟାଣ୍ଡାର୍ଡ୍) : Higher classes : ଉଚ୍ଚ ଶ୍ରେଣୀଗୁଡ଼ିକ Disliked (ଡିସ୍ଲାଇକ୍ଟ୍) : Did not like : ପସନ୍ଦ କରୁନଥିଲେ Aloofness (ଅଲୁଫ୍ନେସ୍) : The state of keeping away from others : ଅନ୍ୟମାନଙ୍କଠାରୁ ଦୂରେଇ ରହିବାର ଭାବ False Notion (ଫଲ୍ସ୍ ନୋସନ୍) : A wrong idea or belief : ଭୁଲ୍ ଧାରଣା Curriculum (କରିକ୍ୟୁଲମ୍) : The subjects and courses taught in a school : ପାଠ୍ୟକ୍ରମ Mental Training (ମେଣ୍ଟାଲ୍ ଟ୍ରେନିଙ୍ଗ୍) : Training of the mind : ମାନସିକ ପ୍ରଶିକ୍ଷଣ Physical Training (ଫିଜିକାଲ୍ ଟ୍ରେନିଙ୍ଗ୍) : Training of the body : ଶାରୀରିକ ପ୍ରଶିକ୍ଷଣ Keen Desire (କିନ୍ ଡିଜାୟର୍) : Strong desire : ତୀବ୍ର ଇଚ୍ଛା Serve As Nurse (ସର୍ଭ୍ ଆଜ୍ ନର୍ସ୍) : Take care of someone like a nurse : ନର୍ସଙ୍କ ପରି ସେବା କରିବା Hurry Home (ହରି ହୋମ୍) : Go home quickly : ଶୀଘ୍ର ଘରକୁ ଯିବା Come Directly In The Way Of (କମ୍ ଡାଇରେକ୍ଟ୍ଲି ଇନ୍ ଦ ୱେ ଅଫ୍) : Become an obstacle to : ବାଧା ସୃଷ୍ଟି କରିବା Exempt (ଇଗ୍ଜେମ୍ପ୍ଟ୍) : Free someone from a duty or rule : କୌଣସି କର୍ତ୍ତବ୍ୟ ବା ନିୟମରୁ ମୁକ୍ତ କରିବା Deceived (ଡିସିଭ୍ଡ୍) : Misled; caused to believe wrongly : ଭୁଲ୍ ବୁଝାଇଲା Roll (ରୋଲ୍) : An official list of students : ଛାତ୍ରମାନଙ୍କ ନାମ ତାଲିକା Absent (ଆବ୍ସେଣ୍ଟ୍) : Not present : ଅନୁପସ୍ଥିତ Fine (ଫାଇନ୍) : Money paid as punishment : ଜରିମାନା Convicted (କନଭିକ୍ଟିଡ୍) : Officially judged to be guilty : ଦୋଷୀ ସାବ୍ୟସ୍ତ Lying (ଲାଇଇଙ୍ଗ୍) : Telling something that is not true : ମିଛ କହିବା Deeply Pained (ଡିପ୍ଲି ପେଇନ୍ଡ୍) : Greatly hurt emotionally : ଗଭୀର ଭାବରେ ଦୁଃଖିତ Innocence (ଇନୋସେନ୍ସ୍) : The state of being not guilty : ନିର୍ଦ୍ଦୋଷତା Anguish (ଆଙ୍ଗ୍ଗ୍ୱିଶ୍) : Extreme mental pain : ଗଭୀର ମାନସିକ ଯନ୍ତ୍ରଣା Man Of Truth (ମ୍ୟାନ୍ ଅଫ୍ ଟ୍ରୁଥ୍) : A person who always speaks the truth : ସତ୍ୟବାଦୀ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି Carelessness (କେୟାର୍ଲେସ୍ନେସ୍) : Lack of proper attention : ଅସାବଧାନତା Last Instance (ଲାଷ୍ଟ୍ ଇନ୍ଷ୍ଟାନ୍ସ୍) : Final occurrence or example : ଶେଷ ଘଟଣା Remitted (ରିମିଟିଡ୍) : Cancelled or reduced a fine or punishment : ଜରିମାନା ବା ଦଣ୍ଡ ଛାଡ଼ କରାଗଲା Penalty (ପେନାଲ୍ଟି) : Punishment for doing something wrong : ଦଣ୍ଡ; ଶାସ୍ତି Neglect (ନେଗ୍ଲେକ୍ଟ୍) : Failure to give proper attention : ଅବହେଳା Good Handwriting (ଗୁଡ୍ ହ୍ୟାଣ୍ଡ୍ରାଇଟିଙ୍ଗ୍) : Neat and well-formed writing : ସୁନ୍ଦର ଓ ସୁଗଠିତ ହସ୍ତାକ୍ଷର Retained (ରିଟେନ୍ଡ୍) : Continued to keep : ବଜାୟ ରଖିଲେ Ashamed (ଅଶେମ୍ଡ୍) : Feeling embarrassed or guilty : ଲଜ୍ଜିତ Repented (ରିପେଣ୍ଟିଡ୍) : Felt sorry for a wrong action : ଅନୁତପ୍ତ ହେଲେ Regarded As (ରିଗାର୍ଡିଡ୍ ଆଜ୍) : Considered as : ଭାବିବା; ବିବେଚନା କରିବା Imperfect (ଇମ୍ପର୍ଫେକ୍ଟ୍) : Not complete or fully developed : ଅସମ୍ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ Repair (ରିପେୟାର୍) : Correct or make up for something lost or damaged : ସୁଧାରିବା; ପୂରଣ କରିବା Warned (ୱର୍ଣ୍ଡ୍) : Advised about a possible mistake or danger : ସତର୍କ କରାଯାଇଥିବା Necessary (ନେସେସାରି) : Needed; essential : ଆବଶ୍ୟକ In The Opinion Of (ଇନ୍ ଦି ଓପିନିଅନ୍ ଅଫ୍) : According to someone's view : କାହାରୋ ମତ ଅନୁସାରେ Art Of Drawing (ଆର୍ଟ୍ ଅଫ୍ ଡ୍ରଇଙ୍ଗ୍) : The skill of drawing : ଚିତ୍ର ଅଙ୍କନ କଳା Observation (ଅବଜର୍ଭେସନ୍) : Careful watching or noticing : ନିରୀକ୍ଷଣ; ପର୍ଯ୍ୟବେକ୍ଷଣ Formed Hand (ଫର୍ମ୍ଡ୍ ହ୍ୟାଣ୍ଡ୍) : Beautifully shaped handwriting : ସୁନ୍ଦର ଆକାରର ହସ୍ତାକ୍ଷର Harder Task (ହାର୍ଡର୍ ଟାସ୍କ୍) : A more difficult task : ଅଧିକ କଠିନ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ Memorise (ମେମୋରାଇଜ୍) : Learn something by heart : ମୁଖସ୍ଥ କରିବା By Heart (ବାଇ ହାର୍ଟ୍) : From memory : ମୁଖସ୍ଥ ଭାବରେ Disheartened (ଡିସ୍ହାର୍ଟେଣ୍ଡ୍) : Discouraged; losing confidence : ନିରୁତ୍ସାହିତ Hard Taskmaster (ହାର୍ଡ୍ ଟାସ୍କ୍ମାଷ୍ଟର୍) : A strict person who demands hard work : କଠୋର ଶିକ୍ଷକ Force (ଫୋର୍ସ୍) : Make someone do something against their wish : ବାଧ୍ୟ କରିବା Rivalry (ରାଇଭାଲ୍ରି) : Competition between people or groups : ପ୍ରତିଦ୍ୱନ୍ଦ୍ୱିତା Lenient (ଲିନିଏଣ୍ଟ୍) : Not strict : କଠୋର ନୁହେଁ; ଉଦାର Considerate (କନ୍ସିଡରେଟ୍) : Caring about the feelings of others : ଅନ୍ୟମାନଙ୍କ ପ୍ରତି ସହାନୁଭୂତିଶୀଳ Tempted (ଟେମ୍ପ୍ଟିଡ୍) : Attracted or persuaded to do something : ପ୍ରଲୋଭିତ ହେଲେ Grieved (ଗ୍ରିଭ୍ଡ୍) : Felt very sad : ଦୁଃଖିତ ହେଲେ Disregard (ଡିସ୍ରିଗାର୍ଡ୍) : Ignore; pay no attention to : ଅବହେଳା କରିବା Proceed (ପ୍ରୋସିଡ୍) : Continue; move forward : ଆଗକୁ ବଢ଼ିବା Absorbing (ଅବ୍ଜର୍ବିଙ୍ଗ୍) : Very interesting and holding one's attention : ଅତ୍ୟନ୍ତ ମନୋଗ୍ରାହୀ Lose Heart (ଲୁଜ୍ ହାର୍ଟ୍) : Become discouraged : ନିରୁତ୍ସାହିତ ହେବା To The Best Of My Ability (ଟୁ ଦ ବେଷ୍ଟ୍ ଅଫ୍ ମାଇ ଅବିଲିଟି) : As well as I can : ମୋର ସାମର୍ଥ୍ୟ ଅନୁସାରେ ସର୍ବୋତ୍ତମ ଭାବରେ Acquire (ଅକ୍ୱାୟାର୍) : Gain; obtain : ଅର୍ଜନ କରିବା; ହାସଲ କରିବା Sacred (ସେକ୍ରିଡ୍) : Holy; connected with religion : ପବିତ୍ର; ଧାର୍ମିକ Thorough (ଥରୋ) : Complete and detailed : ସମ୍ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ; ବିସ୍ତୃତ Knowledge (ନଲେଜ୍) : Information and understanding gained through learning : ଜ୍ଞାନ Gratitude (ଗ୍ରାଟିଟ୍ୟୁଡ୍) : Thankfulness : କୃତଜ୍ଞତା Regret (ରିଗ୍ରେଟ୍) : Feel sorry about something : ଅନୁତାପ କରିବା
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