‘Amma, What Is Your Duty?’ is written by Sudha Murthy and is part of Class 8 English book ‘Lavender’. Here you would get answers to textbook questions. Click here for glossary and explanations of this lesson ‘Amma, What Is Your Duty?’
Summary
Introduction:
The chapter begins by introducing the author’s daughter, Akshata, who demonstrates a compassionate and altruistic nature. Akshata voluntarily engages in activities to support blind individuals at the Shree Ramana Maharishi Academy for the Blind in Bangalore. Through her experiences, Akshata gains insights into the world of the visually impaired.
Akshata’s Compassion:
Akshata’s empathy and sensitivity are evident as she interacts with blind students like Mary and Anand Sharma. She goes beyond mere assistance, striving to understand their challenges and provide meaningful support. Akshata’s genuine concern for the well-being and aspirations of others prompts her to advocate for their needs.
The Author’s Reflection:
The author, initially preoccupied with daily tasks and responsibilities, is prompted to reflect on her own values and priorities when Akshata confronts her with questions about societal duty and responsibility. The author grapples with the realization that her life’s purpose extends beyond personal success to include making a positive impact on society.
The Decision to Give Back:
Inspired by Akshata’s example and motivated by a sense of duty, the author resolves to dedicate herself to philanthropy. She embraces her role as a Founder Trustee of the Infosys Foundation, leading initiatives to address social issues and uplift marginalized communities. Through her philanthropic endeavors, the author finds profound fulfillment and purpose.
Recognition and Gratitude:
The author receives recognition for her contributions, including awards and accolades. Despite these honors, the author expresses gratitude towards Akshata, acknowledging her daughter’s role in guiding her towards a path of meaningful service and fulfillment. The chapter concludes with a reflection on the transformative power of altruism and the importance of embracing one’s duty to society.
Conclusion:
The chapter underscores the importance of empathy, compassion, and social responsibility in shaping a meaningful and fulfilling life. It highlights the profound impact individuals can have when they commit to serving others and giving back to their communities.
Textbook Question/Ans.
Time to answer
A. Choose the correct option.
1. Who is the narrator of the story?
- Sudha Murty
- Akshata Murty
- Mary
- Anand Sharma
2. Whom does the narrator consider her guru?
- JRD
- her grandfather
- Akshata Murty
- her husband
3. Why does the narrator call the conversation between Akshata and Mary at Lalbagh as ‘unusual’?
- because Akshata and Mary had gone to Lalbagh for the first time
- because Akshata and Mary were sensitive children
- because Mary did not know about the various colours as she was blind and Akshata could not explain the concept to Mary
- because Mary was overwhelmed after seeing all the different colours
3. What did Akshata learn from her interaction with Mary at Lalbagh?
- to describe the world to the blind with the help of smells and sounds
- to describe the world to the blind with the help of touch and sounds
- to describe the world to the blind with the help of smells and touch
- to describe the world to the blind with the help of taste and sounds
Answers:
- Who is the narrator of the story?
- Sudha Murty
- Whom does the narrator consider her guru?
- JRD
- Why does the narrator call the conversation between Akshata and Mary at Lalbagh as ‘unusual’?
- because Mary did not know about the various colours as she was blind and Akshata could not explain the concept to Mary
- What did Akshata learn from her interaction with Mary at Lalbagh?
- to describe the world to the blind with the help of smells and sounds
B. Answer these questions.
- Why does the narrator feel that Akshata was sensitive as a child? Point out instances from the story that tell you so.
- What were Akshata’s expectations from her mother when she went to her to discuss about Anand Sharma?
- What made the narrator reflect upon her duty towards society?
- Why did the narrator resign from the position of head of the department and opt for a teacher’s post?
- What tells you that the narrator was happy doing philanthropic work? Quote the lines that tell you so.
Answers:
- Ans. The narrator feels that Akshata was sensitive because she voluntarily engaged in activities to support blind individuals at the Shree Ramana Maharishi Academy for the Blind in Bangalore. She showed empathy and compassion towards others, as seen in her interactions with Mary and Anand Sharma.
- Ans. Akshata expected her mother to consider the plight of Anand Sharma, a bright but financially disadvantaged blind student, and to support him in his aspirations for further education, particularly at St. Stephen’s in Delhi.
- Ans. The narrator’s daughter, Akshata, challenged her to consider her duty towards society when she expressed concern for Anand Sharma’s future and questioned why more affluent individuals weren’t helping those in need. This prompted the narrator to reflect on her values and purpose in life.
- Ans. The narrator resigned from the position of head of the department to dedicate herself fully to philanthropy and giving back to society. She chose a teacher’s post as it allowed her to focus on teaching while also pursuing her philanthropic endeavors.
- Ans. “When I see hope in the eyes of a destitute, see the warm smile on the faces of once helpless people, I feel so satisfied.” This quote indicates that the narrator finds happiness and fulfillment in her philanthropic work, as she witnesses the positive impact it has on the lives of others.
Reference to the context
Read these lines from the story and answer the questions that follow.
1. You can forfeit your birthday party and save money and sponsor him.
- a. Who said these words and to whom?
- b. Who required sponsorship and why?
- c. Do you think the advice was feasible to help the person in need? Why or why not?
- d. Why was the narrator’s daughter concerned about the sponsorship?
- e. In the context of the story, “forfeit’ means:
- i. to lose property as a penalty for wrongdoing
- ii. to surrender possessions as a penalty for wrongdoing
- iii. to be deprived of possessions or property as a penalty for wrongdoing
- iv. to not have or do something enjoyable
2. At least for one day you must come for this award ceremony in Bombay. If you had not woken me up at the right time, I would not have been receiving it today. I want you to be present.
a. Which award ceremony is being referred to in the above text?
b. Who is being felicitated with the award?
i. Akshata ii. Mary iii. the narrator iv. Anand
c. How was the speaker woken up at the right time?
d. Choose the sentence in which ‘present’ has been used in the same context as in the above lines.
- i. Use the verbs in the brackets in the present tense.
- ii. They gave me theatre tickets as a present.
- iii. The president was not present at the meeting.
- iv. The group intended to present this petition to the parliament.
Answers:
- a. Who said these words and to whom?
- These words were said by the narrator to her daughter, Akshata.
- Anand Sharma required sponsorship because he wanted to pursue further education, particularly at St. Stephen’s in Delhi, but he lacked financial support due to his disadvantaged background.
- Yes, the advice was feasible as it suggested sacrificing a birthday party to save money and use it to sponsor Anand Sharma’s education. It demonstrates a practical way to allocate resources for a noble cause.
- The narrator’s daughter, Akshata, was concerned about Anand Sharma’s future and his financial struggles. She recognized the importance of education for his advancement and was worried about his ability to afford it.
- iii. to be deprived of possessions or property as a penalty for wrongdoing
- a. Which award ceremony is being referred to in the above text?
- The Economic Times Award ceremony is being referred to in the above text.
- iii. the narrator
- The speaker was woken up at the right time by the mentor, who reminded her of the award ceremony.
- iii. The president was not present at the meeting.
Time to think and answer
- What do you think drove Akshata’s passion for uplifting and helping blind people?
- The protagonist never forced her daughter to study. Do you think this approach is appropriate? How would you be mindful of your studies if your parents used the same approach?
- Compare and contrast the characters of Akshata and her mom.
Answers:
- Ans. Akshata’s passion for uplifting and helping blind people may have been driven by her innate empathy and compassion. Additionally, her experiences volunteering at the Shree Ramana Maharishi Academy for the Blind likely exposed her to the challenges faced by visually impaired individuals, fostering a desire to make a positive impact in their lives. Akshata’s sensitivity to the needs of others and her recognition of the privileges she enjoys may have further fueled her passion for philanthropy.
- Ans. The approach of not forcing Akshata to study appears appropriate as it allows her to develop intrinsic motivation and autonomy in her academic pursuits. By giving Akshata the freedom to make her own choices regarding her studies, the protagonist fosters a sense of responsibility and self-discipline in her daughter. If my parents used the same approach, I would be mindful of my studies by recognizing the importance of education and taking ownership of my learning process. I would strive to set personal goals, manage my time effectively, and seek support and guidance when needed to ensure academic success.
- Ans. Comparing the characters of Akshata and her mom.
| Traits: compassionate vs knowledgeable |
| Similarities: |
| Both exhibit empathy and compassion towards others. |
| Both value education and recognize its importance. |
| Differences: |
| Akshata is proactive and takes initiative to help those in need, whereas her mom initially appears more focused on her own responsibilities. |
| Akshata is deeply committed to philanthropy and social causes, while her mom undergoes a transformation to prioritize giving back to society. |
| Akshata demonstrates a willingness to challenge societal norms and expectations, while her mom initially follows a more conventional path. |
| Akshata is portrayed as more sensitive and emotionally attuned, while her mom initially seems more pragmatic and focused on practical matters. |
Time to study language
A. Match the main clause with suitable subordinate clauses. (see the book for the question)
Answer:
| Main Clause | Subordinate Clause |
|---|---|
| 1. I will walk to school | c. because I missed the bus |
| 2. My friend’s family owns a lovely house | d. which is close to a beach |
| 3. We stayed at the beach | f. till the moon came up |
| 4. I’m talking to my aunt | a. who lives in Mumbai |
| 5. I will plant some tulips | b. when the weather is fine |
| 6. The tiger pounced on the deer | e. that was grazing in the meadow |
B. Complete the following sentences by adding a main or a subordinate clause:
- When I entered the room ………………
- ………………………………………because there was no one at the door.
- Have you heard of the man …………………………..
- I didn’t know they were resting …………………..
- Since I was down with fever, I………………………
- …………………………. we won the game.
Answers:
B. Complete the following sentences by adding a main or a subordinate clause:
- When I entered the room, I saw that the lights were flickering.
- I looked around because there was no one at the door.
- Have you heard of the man who discovered the cave in the jungle?
- I didn’t know they were resting until I saw them sleeping on the couch.
- Since I was down with fever, I stayed home and rested.
- We celebrated with a pizza party because we won the game.
Time to learn new words
Here are some idioms about helping and being useful for others. Choose the correct meaning of each. (see the question in the book)
Answers:
| Idiom | Meaning |
|---|---|
| a helping hand | a. someone who helps someone in need |
| give someone a leg up | b. to help someone to improve their situation, especially at work |
| a heart of gold | a. to be very kind and generous |
| do one’s bit | b. to make an individual contribution towards an overall effort |
| grease the wheel | b. to make or help things run more smoothly or more easily |
Study skills
Write an appropriate noun that will go with each set.
Answers:
Here are the compound nouns formed by pairing each noun with another noun:
snow – flake, fall, leopard
room – living, bath, store
cheese – chocolate, cake, vanilla
traffic – police, jam, lights
office – hours, job, supplies
new – papers, show, channel