The Kites & Embroidering Dreams PDF

**The Kites** Up in the air See the kites fly, Like coloured birds In the wind-whipped sky. I wish I were small And light as air, I would climb on a kite And sail up there. Then I would drift upon The paper wings, And hear the songs That the wild wind sings. What fun it would be To loo...

**The Kites** Up in the air See the kites fly, Like coloured birds In the wind-whipped sky. I wish I were small And light as air, I would climb on a kite And sail up there. Then I would drift upon The paper wings, And hear the songs That the wild wind sings. What fun it would be To look right down, Over the park And the rooftops of town. The people below Would stand and stare, And wish they were me High, high in the air. Daphne Lister **Ila Sachani:** **Embroidering Dreams with her Feet** 1\. When you enter a tiny room in Moti Vavdi village, Bhavnagar, Gujarat, you will see lots of bright colours. There are many lovely things like cushions, bedcovers, pillows, and more, with beautiful designs. Ila Sachani, a wonderful lady with a big smile, makes all these using a shiny needle to create these designs. She is very good at *Kathiawar* embroidery---a style that needs a lot of skill. 2\. Ila Sachani's journey began in the quiet settings of Amreli, Gujarat, where she was born into a farmer's family. From the beginning, life presented its challenges, as Ila was born with her hands hanging loose by her sides. Unlike other children, she could not use her hands in the usual way. While other small hands drew figures in the sand or plucked wild flowers, she wondered why she could not join them. She too wanted to hold a chalk in her hands and draw figures on a slate. 3\. Ila's mother and grandmother encouraged the little girl and were single-minded to help her overcome her challenge. They were skilled in the traditional art of *Kathiawar* embroidery and decided to share this art with Ila. They taught her to create many beautiful patterns using her feet! It was certainly not an easy task, but Ila accepted the challenge with determination. Her parents also helped her learn to do things with her legs, like eating and combing her hair. 4\. Threading a needle was hard, but Ila did not give up and became an expert at a young age. Her younger brother and sister helped her too. She learned many styles, even ones from outside Gujarat---*Kachhi*, *Kashmiri, Lucknawi* and others. 5\. For Ila, embroidery became a way to express herself. At first, she crafted fine designs only for her family and friends, who were awestruck by her talent. They talked about those designs to others. Soon, the people in the village, too, discovered Ila's special skill and the admiration for her work began to spread. 6\. Word reached the government office, in Surat. They were moved by Ila's story and impressed by her work. They decided to display some samples of her embroidery at a state exhibition. This experience opened new doors for Ila. People observed the beauty woven by her feet and readily purchased the creations. Ila was no more a hidden talent, but famous! 7\. Encouraged by this popularity, Ila participated in more exhibitions, not just within the state but at the national level. She received many awards and honours, not just for her art but also the willpower and creativity that her work showed. Ila Sachani, once a farmer's daughter facing a tough challenge, worked hard and became a celebrated artist and receiver of the President's Medal. 8\. The most important change for Ila was the new independence. Through her skill, she not only earned a regular income but also found joy in doing what she loved. She proved, through her creations, that challenges can be turned into victories with focus, hard work, positivity and never giving up. 9\. Her embroidery, created with her feet, reminds us that art has the power to rise above physical boundaries and touch the soul. **National War Memorial** National War Memorial, New Delhi was established in January 2019. It is a national monument built by the Government of India in honour of our brave soldiers. **Let us read** In Bharat's heartland, a grand sight to behold, The National War Memorial, honours brave stories retold. With respect and grace, it stands with pride, Each name etched, each stone, each story to confide. From battle fields to skies, and to oceans wide, They stand for Bharat, side by side. The eternal flame, in silence it glows, Paying homage to their courage that shows. Their sacrifice, always in our mind, In blessed memory, forever remind. With pride and respect, let's always remember, At the National War Memorial, their sacrifice forever. **Hamara Bharat** *---* **Incredible India!** **Let us read the following passage.** Bharat has been known worldwide as a land of wise and heroic individuals. Its rich and diverse culture has attracted numerous travellers since ancient times. The people here live in unison, presenting to the world unity in diversity. Bharat is a land rich with rivers, lakes, and high mountains. Its green forests are home to many plants, insects, birds, and animals. All these elements ensure that Bharat prospers and is respected globally. As its inhabitants, we need to continue working hard and make sure that it prospers. "So, are you ready to meet your friends from all over the country?" the teacher asked the students sitting in the big hall. "Yes!" was the loud answer from the class. "Can someone tell me for which programme are we here?" the teacher asked. *"Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat",* the students answered together again. "Please raise your hand to tell me what it is all about," the teacher said. Many hands went up and some were jumping to answer. The teacher asked Renu. With a smile on her face, she said, "It is to know that we all belong to one nation and that is the bond we share. And our unity in diversity makes us the most wonderful country in the world." **Let us discuss** 1\. What is the *Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat* programme all about? 2\. Why is this programme being conducted? **II** The teacher smiled at her as everyone clapped. Just then, Bala pointed out, "Look! The video has started!" The big screen now had little windows each with a smiling child. Each child had something to share. *Pranam!* I am Aakansha from Uttarakhand. I am going to tell you about *Aipan,* our folk art, that we draw on family functions and festivals. It is done with white rice flour paste on brick-red walls coloured with *geru*. It is made on floors and walls of puja rooms, and outside the main door of the home. It is an art form made by the women in the family. The designs are very beautiful and mathematical, and are based on our cultural traditions, and observations of nature. *Suprabhat!* I am Priyaranjan from Odisha. My tribe practises a 4000-year-old metal craft named *Dhokra.* To begin, we make a figure with clay, dry it, and cover it with a layer of wax. Then, we carve the fine details on the wax. After that, we cover the figure with clay, and put it in the fire. The wax melts and comes out of small openings. Next, brass scrap is melted and poured into the empty space. The liquid metal takes the same shape as the wax. Finally, we remove the outer layer of clay and finish the metal figure as we want. *Suprabhaatam!* I am Chitra from Kerala. I want to tell you about coconut shell craft. First, we clean the outside and inside of a brown coconut shell. After that, we make it smooth by using sandpaper or a machine. Then we give it the shape we want, and make it stable by fixing a base under it. At last, we polish it using wood polish to make it shine. We make household things like bowls and even jewellery from the coconut shells. It is a biodegradable craft. *Subhodayam!* I am Balamurali from Andhra Pradesh. I want to tell you about the 400-year-old art of making toys in my village, Kondapalli. To make the toys, we take soft wood from the nearby hills. After that, we carve each part of the toy separately. Then, we use *makku*---a paste of tamarind seed powder and sawdust to join the pieces together. Next, we add details and finish the toys. Finally, we use oil and water-colours or vegetable dyes and enamel paints to colour them. These toys are based on folk stories, animals, birds, bullock carts, rural life, etc. **Yoga**--**A Way of Life** **Let us do these activities before we read.** **Let us read** Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual practice that originated in ancient India. The word 'Yoga' comes from the Sanskrit root '*yuj*', which means 'to join' or 'to unite'. This symbolises the unity of mind and body; thought and action; harmony between human and nature. It is a holistic approach to health and well-being. Sage Patanjali presented the ancient tradition of yoga in a systematic way in 'Yoga Sutras of Patanjali'. He described yoga as the means to make the mind quiet and free from all distractions. Yoga has become increasingly popular around the world due to its many health benefits. Here are some of the benefits of yoga--- Yoga postures (*asanas*) help to stretch and strengthen the muscles, increase flexibility, endurance and balance. This can improve overall physical fitness. This can also help to reduce body pains, such as lower back pain. Yoga involves breathing techniques and meditation, which can help to calm the mind and reduce stress and anxiety. It relaxes the mind, improves the quality of sleep and increases concentration. Yoga has been shown to boost the immune system. It can improve heart health by lowering blood pressure and improving circulation. Yoga can aid in weight loss by burning calories, and maintaining health. Yoga promotes a sense of overall well-being. This is the reason why the benefits of practising yoga are internationally recognised. The World Health Organisation (WHO) on 20th June 2021, launched an App called WHO mYoga. The app contains a collection of videos and audio files to teach and support yoga practice. The aim was to have an easy-to-use and free tool for people across the world to encourage them to practise yoga. We can start practicing yoga at any given moment of time. We must remember that when we practice yoga *asanas* (postures), we do not just stretch the body. The mind has to be with the body. This is the reason why it should be practised without distractions. If each stretch is coordinated with the breath and awareness, our practice will become a yogic practice. sleep lifestyle health strength calm stress balance Yoga is a practice that not only improves physical flexibility but also improves mental (i) \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ and leads to a healthier \(ii) \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. It involves a series of *asanas*, which increase muscular \(iii) \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. Practicing yoga also leads to a better body and mind (iv) \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ and reduces body pain such as the lower back. Moreover, the focus on breathing techniques and meditation makes the mind (v) \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_, lessens (vi) \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_, and improves the quality of (vii) \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. This helps to adopt a more positive lifestyle. **The Winner** Evenings, we play ball next to the creek in our neighbour's field. We run so fast I can't even catch my breath. When blue dark turns to black, cold grass aches our feet, trees creep close--- game's over. Night wins! **Change of Heart** **I** Prabhat always wanted to win. His parents, teachers, and friends said that he did not know how to accept defeat. The fact was that he could not bear losing, not even at marbles. He felt so good when he won that he never wanted to give up that feeling. On the contrary, losing made him feel terrible. He thought that losing was the worst thing that could happen to anyone. If Prabhat sensed that he would lose a game, he would not play it. He would take part only when he was sure of winning, even if the game lasted only for a minute. You could not stop him from playing the kind of games he was really good at, like badminton. A new student joined Prabhat's school, and his name was Surya. Surya was an excellent badminton player. Prabhat waited for the last Friday of the month. Last Friday was significant. This was when the coach conducted friendly matches in the games period. The teams were decided on Monday and it was no surprise when Prabhat and Surya were chosen to play a round against each other. Prabhat was given the responsibility of keeping score for their match. On one hand, Prabhat prepared for the match with great seriousness. Surya, on the other hand, seemed relaxed, not taking the things seriously at all. He walked about the whole time, smiling and cracking jokes about all sorts of things. But on Friday, at the badminton court, Surya was a real phenomenon. He won points again and again, laughing and joking all the time. However, Surya was paying so little attention to the match that Prabhat managed to change the scoreboard while his opponent was looking elsewhere. Prabhat managed to win by cheating. He made a big thing of his win, but it did not matter to Surya. "It's been fun. We should play again some other time," said Surya. **II** On that day, everyone was discussing their game and how Prabhat had played so well. Surprisingly, Prabhat could not sleep well that night. He had won the game but he did not feel as happy as he usually did. What was surprising was that Surya did not feel bad about losing. What was more surprising was that Prabhat saw Surya playing basketball the next day. Surya was so hopeless at it that he could not score a basket for ten minutes. Yet, he enjoyed playing the game. His happy smile never left his face. Prabhat kept a close watch on Surya for some days. He was great at some things, terrible at others but what was common was the enjoyment. He enjoyed everything equally. As Prabhat went on with his observation, he realised that to enjoy a game, you did not need a scoreboard to keep a tally of your scores. Neither did you have to worry about winning and losing. You needed to enjoy the game for its own sake. What matters is trying to do well, and enjoying every moment of it. Prabhat learnt something through the observations every day, soon realising the change in himself. He had even begun playing hide and seek, and felt sad whenever it was about to end. He also started joking while playing badminton. Soon, the other students started talking amongst themselves, "Good fun playing with Prabhat, that fellow definitely has a great sporting spirit." **Spices that Heal Us** **Let us do these activities before we read.** 1\. A spice is any seed, fruit, root, bark, leaf or any other part of a plant used to give taste and colour to our food. Try to recall the names of three spices that are used for cooking in your home. Write them below and share your answers with your teacher. \(a) \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ (b) \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ (c) \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ 2\. Given below are pictures of some spices. Work in pairs and write what you call them in your language. Their names in English are given in the last column. Share your answers with your teacher. **S.No. Spice Name in your language Name in English** 1\. Turmeric 2\. Fenugreek 3\. Cumin seeds 4\. Asafoetida 5\. Cinnamon 6\. Clove 7\. Ginger 8\. Black pepper 9\. Fennel seeds 10\. Cardamom Dear Vikram and Vaibhavi, *Namaste!* I just got your message that you are better now. I am happy that the natural cures that I had shared, helped you. You should try to remember these cures and may share them with your friends. When I was a child, I learnt them from my grandmother. She used to find home remedies for most of the weather-related common illnesses. Let me share some of the benefits of the spices that most of us have in our kitchen. Let me start with *haldi*, which is called turmeric in English. It helps in improving our energy level and digestion. It helps in reducing body pain too. Next, let us take *methi*, which is called fenugreek in English. You will be surprised to know that it helps me in keeping my sugar level and my body weight in control. I need to soak the *methi* seeds overnight and drink the water in the morning. *Jeera* (cumin) seeds soaked in water overnight can also improve digestion and help cure sleeplessness. You know, when you were babies and had gas in your tummy, I used to put *heeng* (asafoetida) water on your tummy to give you some relief. *Heeng* can also help in controlling cough and cold. *Dalchini* (cinnamon) and *laung* (clove) give relief when we have toothache till we can consult a dentist. *Adrak* (ginger) is another herb that can help us when we have cough and cold. It also gives relief from pain. Do you know, ginger has been used for cooking for more than 4000 years? Even today, it is extensively used in cooking Indian food. *Kali mirch* (black pepper) is also helpful in digestion and can give us relief from body pain. You may have seen that at the end of a meal, *saunf* (fennel seeds) and *ajwain* (carom seeds) are served. It is because they help in the digestion of food. *Elaichi* (cardamom) also helps us with digestion and respiratory troubles in addition to curing bad breath. 3\. Do you know if these spices can be used for something else other than cooking? Let us find out by reading the letter given below. **Let us think and reflect** 1\. Read the given lines and answer the following questions. '*When I was a child, I learnt them from my grandmother. She used to find* *cures for most of the weather-related common illnesses in the kitchen.'* \(a) Where exactly in the kitchen did her grandmother find the cures? \(b) Give one example of weather-related common illnesses. \(c) What kind of relationship did the speaker have with her grandmother? 2\. Fill in the blanks to complete the sentence. *Daadi* soaked *methi* seeds overnight and drank the water in the morning to manage \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ and \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. 3\. Circle the spice that is **not** useful for body pain according to *Daadi's* letter. \(a) Turmeric (c) Fennel seeds \(b) Ginger (d) Black pepper 4\. Why did *Daadi* ask Vikram and Vaibhavi to share the natural cures with their friends? 5\. What was *Daadi's* final advice to Vikram and Vaibhavi? 6\. How do we know that natural cures are passed from one generation to another? 7\. Why do you think we should know about the healing properties of spices? Now, go into the kitchen and try to identify these herbs and spices. And remember, you must consult an elder before you use them. My love and *aashirwaad* to both of you! Yours affectionately, *Daadi* *\ * **What a Bird Thought** I lived first in a little house, And lived there very well, I thought the world was small and round, And made of pale, blue shell. I lived next in a little nest, Nor needed any other, I thought the world was made of straw, And nestled by my mother. One day, I fluttered from my nest, To see what I could find, I said the world is made of leaves, I have been very blind. At length I flew beyond the tree, Quite fit for grown-up labours, I don't know how the world is made, And neither do my neighbours.