Question

Summary of the comet 1-2 in shot note

Answer 1

James was surprised when he went to attend the conference.All the experts who were invited were present Sir John had also invited Duttada.

Scientists plan to save the earth.

 At first the scientists checked James calculations and found that they were correct. Comet Dutta was sure to collide with the earth on December 15.

Some suggested a defensive action. They suggested that underground bunkers should be constructed for everyone to live in.

But this suggestion was not practicable. It was not accepted.

Then the scientists suggested an offensive action. They intended to give the comet a push to change its course. For this they planned to send a spaceship with nuclear power. The ship would intercept the comet at the right time and then it will be exploded by remote control. This project was named the Charge of Light Brigade. A time- table was drawn for the action.

Will the action succeed?

Duttada and Sir John had become good friends. Duttada asked Sir John’s opinion about the success of the project. He said he could not say anything with certainty but he would not buy his Christmas presents before December 15.

Duttada returns home: Duttada stayed in England for another week. He visited observatories and met astronomers. Then he came back to Calcutta.

Preparations for a yajna: There was a big crowd at his house.His wife Indrani Debi had consulted Guruji. He had advised performing a yajna to bless Duttada, and to pacify the evil spirits behind the comet.

But Duttada was displeased. He refused to have anything to do with the yajna. He explained that there was no connection between the appearance of a comet and the misfortunes of the world.

The charge of Light Brigade is successful: Comet Dutta came very close to earth. Millions of people admired it. But they didn’t know how dangerous it was. Duttada had been worrying. Then he received an urgent TELEX from Sir John. It said that he was going to buy his Christmas presents on December 15. No one could understand what it meant. But Duttada was extremely happy. He knew that the charge of Project Light Brigade has been successful. The earth had been saved from complete destruction.

Who saved the Earth? After the comet had disappeared, Duttada said to his wife, “Now you see that there is nothing harmful about a comet.” But she smiled. She said that the comet did not harm because the yajna was performed. Duttada’s grandson had performed the yajna on behalf of Duttada.

Rational and superstitions: Duttada was shocked. He wondered that even in this age the rational and the superstitions exist together, though the gap between the two was too wide.