Read the passage carefully and answer the given questions.
It was a memorable day – the 9th of February, 1979. Hundreds of freedom fighters, who had spent the best part of their lives as prisoners in the Cellular Jail, once again touched the shores of the Andaman Islands. But what a difference! They had come this time not as criminals but as veteran heroes on board the ship Harsh Vardhan, invited to grace the function organised to formally declare the Cellular Jail as a National Monument by the Prime Minister of India.
Along with other members I was also present at the port as the Chairman of the reception committee, to formally welcome the guests of honour. It was a beautiful evening – the golden rays of the setting sun had drenched the landscape in a rich marigold colour. There was a strange expression on the faces of the aged veterans as they alighted, one by one, helped by young men and girls of their families. Perhaps the memories of their struggle, sacrifices and hardship once again came alive as they viewed the landscape.
Tears rolled down, when they were greeted with cheers and showers of rose petals. Thousands of people were there to welcome them, many having come from far off places. Many were moved to tears and bent down to touch the feet of the veterans. It was an emotionally surcharged scene, an expression of deep reverence and gratitude which the people of Andamans felt towards these veterans, who had undergone tremendous suffering and misery at the hands of the erstwhile British rulers. For me it was no more a formal welcome to perform. I was overwhelmed with an emotion too deep to express.
A person incharge of these celebrations, I was to spend many more days in the company of these freedom fighters, and had the unique opportunity of listening to their narration giving vivid and graphic account of their experience as exiled prisoners of the dreaded KALAPANI (Black waters). It was like a fairy tale which greatly aroused my curiosity.
After all what was it that prompted these people to make such sacrifices for the cause of the motherland, I asked myself. I decided to delve deep into this. The Andaman Islands have played a very important role in the history of the freedom movement. The Cellular Jail has been called the University of the Independence struggle.
The Paradise Islands of Andaman and Nicobar glitter like emeralds in the Bay of Bengal. Scholars are of the opinion that the name of Andaman archipelago was derived from the word, Hanuman. Mystery surrounds these Islands because of their inaccessibility and hostile tribes. From the historical point of view the earliest reference to these islands is to be found in the writings of the famous world traveller Claudius Platoni, a geographer in the second century A.D..
Fill in the blanks with correct options.
What was different for the hundreds, who came to Andaman Islands on 9th Feb., 1979?
Why was there a ‘strange expression’ on the faces of the ‘Veterans’?
Why these islands were considered mysterious by some?
Elaborate the statement ‘It was like a fairy tale which greatly aroused my curiosity.’
What is the role of ‘The Andaman Island’ in the history of freedom moment?
Explain, ‘Tears rolled down, when they were greeted with cheers and showers of rose petals.’
Find the words from the passage that means same as.
Group of iland b) deep respect for someone or something.
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Answer:
1-They had come this time not as criminals but as veteran heroes on board the ship Harsh Vardhan, invited to grace the function organised to formally declare the Cellular Jail as a National Monument by the Prime Minister of India.
2-There was a strange expression on the faces of the aged veterans as they alighted, one by one, helped by young men and girls of their families.
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