Read the given passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
A PURPOSE IN LIFE
1. A noble purpose gives meaning to one’s own life and is of benefit to others. I realized this
while researching on writing about the life of Jamshedji Tata. What gave one man living in a
colonized country the vision to advance it in the community of nations? He not only gave India
the power of steel and hydroelectric energy, but also an institution of research.
2. He sent an educationist to Europe and the United States to report on what should be the
best model for India. The John Hopkins University in Baltimore was recommended as the
model. But, Jamshedji Tata made it a point to see that his name was not associated with the
university. After his death, his dream came true with the establishment of the Indian Institute
of Science in Bengaluru. It was to be the fountainhead of science in the decades to come.
3. There are others too, whose purpose in life has made a difference to society. Mother
Teresa had a comfortable life at Loretto Convent, Kolkata. On a train journey to Darjeeling,
she felt her ‘calling’ and wanted to give up her comfortable life in the convent and serve the
poor and the needy.
4. After that, she took a three month nursing course and returned to Kolkata. She devoted her
time to the sick and the homeless. Touched by her sacrifice, some of her students joined her
and work began. Not everyone has such a strong calling. When I asked her how one could be
sure of one’s calling, she replied, “Deep down in our hearts we know exactly what our calling
is, if we are sincere.”
5. One’s purpose is shaped over a period of time, but every noble purpose is based on a
feeling for the suffering of others and our desire to alleviate that condition. Some years ago, in
Kerala, a young man saw his father join Gandhiji and fight for opening temples to the Harijans.
When he grew up, the boy decided to take up agricultural studies, because he had seen the
havoc caused by the Bengal famine. He went to Europe and studied agriculture. On his return
to India, he spearheaded the Green Revolution. Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, thus demonstrated
how purpose intensifies with time.
1. Why and where did Jamshedji send his educationist to?
2. How do you define Green Revolution? Who is the driving force behind it?
3. Where is the Indian Institute of Science situated? What is its vision?
4. Which incident helped Mother Theresa discover her purpose in life?
Answers
He gave India not only the power to steel & hydroelectric energy, but also an institution of research.
An educationist was sent to Europe to report on what should be the best model of a research institute for India.
Two facts about Indian Institute of Science:
The John Hopkins University in Baltimore was recommended as the model.
It was to be the fountainhead of science.
She devoted her time to the sick and the homeless people.
Answer:
He gave India not only the power to steel & hydroelectric energy, but also an institution of research.
An educationist was sent to Europe to report on what should be the best model of a research institute for India.
Two facts about Indian Institute of Science:
The John Hopkins University in Baltimore was recommended as the model.
It was to be the fountainhead of science.
She devoted her time to the sick and the homeless people.