G10 - GLIMPSES of INDIA - Part II - Coorg by Lokesh Abrol

 **Location and Overview**: Coorg, or Kodagu, located in Karnataka, is the smallest district and is positioned between Mangalore and Mysore. Known for its heavenly beauty, it features lush evergreen forests, pleasant weather, expansive coffee plantations, and aromatic spices. It is a popular tourist destination from September to March.

**Historical Anecdote**: According to local lore, a segment of Alexander the Great’s army sought refuge in Coorg and intermarried with the locals after finding their return journey arduous. Many Coorgs wear the Kuppia, attire resembling Arabian dress. Renowned for their courage and hospitality, Coorgs have made significant contributions to the Indian Army, with the Coorg Regiment holding esteemed status. General Cariappa, the first Indian Army Chief, hailed from Coorg.

**Natural Wealth**: The hills and dense forests of Coorg are vital sources of water for the Cauvery River and harbor diverse wildlife, including the largest freshwater fish species. The Brahmagiri hills offer trekkers breathtaking views and enriching experiences.

**Cultural Significance**: Bylakuppe, an island near Coorg, is notable for hosting Buddhist monks, adding cultural diversity and richness to the region.

Coorg combines natural splendor, rich history, and cultural vibrancy, making it a captivating destination for tourists and a proud homeland for its inhabitants.

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II. Coorg - Lokesh Abrol

Thinking about the Text

1. Where is Coorg?

Ans: It is the smallest district of Karnataka. It is located halfway between Mysore and Mangalore.

2. What is the story about the Kodavu people’s descent?

Ans: It is believed that they are of Arabic descent because they wear a traditional garment, that has an embroidered belt and is called kuppia, similar to the kuffia worn by Arabs and the Kurds.

3. What are some of the things you now know about

(i) the people of Coorg?

Ans: The people of Coorg are fiercely independent and have possibly Greek or Arab descent. They settled in the southern coastline and married the local women. They are very hospitable and recount numerous tales of valour of their deceased ancestors. They own firearms without a licence.

(ii) the main crop of Coorg?

Ans: The main crop of Coorg is coffee and there are various coffee plantations along with coffee estates and colonial bungalows.

(iii) the sports it offers to tourists?

Ans: Sports like river rafting, rappelling, canoeing, rock climbing, trekking and mountain biking are some of the sports offered at Coorg.

(iv) the animals you are likely to see in Coorg?

Ans: There are a wide variety of birds, bees, macaques, Malabar squirrels, langurs and elephants found in the rainforests of Coorg.

(v) its distance from Bengaluru, and how to get there?

Ans: There is about 260km of distance. There are two routes and more frequently used is via Mysore and the other is via Nelamangala and Channarayapatna.

4. Here are six sentences with some words in italics. Find phrases from the text that have the same meaning. (Look in the paragraphs indicated)

(i) During monsoons it rains so heavily that tourists do not visit Coorg. (para 2)

Ans: keep many visitors away

(ii) Some people say that Alexander’s army moved south along the coast and settled there. (para 3)

Ans: as one story goes

(iii) The Coorg people are always ready to tell stories of their sons’ and fathers’ valour. (para 4)

Ans: are more than willing to recount

(iv) Even people who normally lead an easy and slow life get smitten by the high-energy adventure sports of Coorg. (para 6)

Ans: the most laidback individuals become converts to

(v) The theory of the Arab origin is supported by the long coat with embroidered waist-belt they wear. (para 3)

Ans: draws support from

(vi) Macaques, Malabar squirrels observe you from the tree canopy. (para 7)

Ans: keep a watchful eye

Thinking About the Language

1. Here are some nouns from the text.

culture monks surprise experience weather tradition

Work with a partner and discuss which of the nouns can collocate with which of the adjectives given below. The first one has been done for you.

unique   terrible unforgettable serious   ancient wide sudden

(i) Culture:    unique culture, ancient culture 

(ii) Monks: 

Ans: serious monks

(iii) Surprise: 

Ans: unique surprise, terrible surprise, unforgettable surprise

(iv) Experience: 

Ans: unique experience, terrible experience, unforgettable experience

(v) Weather: 

Ans: terrible weather

(vi) tradition: 

Ans: unique tradition, ancient tradition

 

2. Complete the following phrases from the text. For each phrase, can you find at least one other word that would fit into the blank?

(i) tales of _____________

Ans: tales of valour

(ii) coastal ____________

Ans: coastal town

(iii) a piece of ___________

Ans: a piece of heaven

(iv) evergreen ___________

Ans: evergreen rainforests

(v) ____________ plantations

Ans: coffee plantations

(vi) ____________ bridge

Ans: rope bridge

(vii) wild ___________

Ans: wild elephants

You may add your examples to this list.

Ans: 

Other examples:

(i) tales of sacrifice 

(ii) coastal cities

(iii) a slice of cake 

(iv) evergreen song 

(v) rubber plantations 

(vi) sturdy foundation 

(vii) wild animal

 

III. Tea From Assam

Thinking about the Language

1. Look at these words: upkeep, downpour, undergo, dropout, walk-in. They are built up from a verb (keep, pour, go, drop, walk) and an adverb or a particle (up, down, under, out, in).

Use these words appropriately in the sentences below. You may consult a dictionary.

(i) A heavy _______________has been forecast due to low pressure in the Bay of Bengal.

Ans: A heavy downpour has been forecast due to low pressure in the Bay of Bengal.

(ii) Rakesh will _______________major surgery tomorrow morning.

Ans: Rakesh will undergo major surgery tomorrow morning.

(iii) My brother is responsible for the _______________of our family property.

Ans: My brother is responsible for the upkeep of our family property.

(iv) The________________ The rate for this accountancy course is very high.

Ans: The dropout rate for this accountancy course is very high.

(v) She went to the Enterprise Company to attend a ______________interview.

Ans: She went to the Enterprise Company to attend a walk-in interview.

2. Now fill in the blanks in the sentences given below by combining the verb given in  brackets with one of the words from the box as appropriate.

over by through out up down

(i) The Army attempted unsuccessfully to_______________the government. (throw)

Ans: The Army attempted unsuccessfully to overthrow the Government.

(ii) Scientists are on the brink of a major_________________in cancer research. (break)

Ans: Scientists are on the brink of a major breakthrough in cancer research.

(iii) The State Government plans to build a_________________for Bhubaneswar to speed up traffic on the main highway. (pass)

Ans: The State Government plans to build a by-pass for Bhubaneswar to speed up traffic on the main highway.

(iv) Gautama’s ___________on life changed when he realised that the world is full of sorrow. (look)

Ans: Gautama’s outlook on life changed when he realized that the world is full of sorrow.

(v) Rakesh seemed unusually________________on life changed when he realised that the world is full after the game. (cast)

 Ans: Rakesh seemed unusually downcast after the game.

II. 

1. Think of suitable −ing or −ed adjectives to answer the following questions. How would you describe

(i) a good detective serial on television? 

Ans: Interesting

(ii) a debate on your favourite topic ‘Homework Should Be Banned?

Ans: Exciting

(iii) How do you feel when you stay indoors due to incessant rain? 

Ans: Bored

(iv) How do you feel when you open a present? 

Ans: Excited

(v) How do you feel when you watch your favourite programme on television?

Ans: Interested

(vi) the look on your mother’s face as you waited in a queue?

Ans: Tired

(vii) How do you feel when tracking a tiger in a tiger reserve forest?

Ans: Thrilled

(viii) the story you have recently read, or a film you have seen?

Ans: Boring

2.  Now use the adjectives in the exercise above, as appropriate, to write a paragraph about Coorg.

Ans: Coorg is the smallest district of Karnataka and has several spices and coffee plantations. It also has around thirty per cent of its region under evergreen forests. The prime corners of this region are dotted with coffee estates and colonial bungalows. The residents of Coorg are independent people of Greek or Arabic descent. As the story goes, they are a part of Alexander’s army that settled and married amongst the people living along with south India. They wear long, black coats with embroidery, known as kuppia, also worn by Arabs which points towards their Arabic ascendance. These households are warm, welcoming and have a tradition of hospitality. 

Reading and Writing

1. Read the following passage about tea. India and tea are so intertwined together that life without the brew is unimaginable. Tea entered our life only in the mid-nineteenth century when the British started plantations in Assam and Darjeeling! In the beginning, though, Indians shunned the drink as they thought it was a poison that led to umpteen diseases. Ironically, tea colonised Britain where it became a part of their social diary and also led to the establishment of numerous tea houses

Today, scientific research across the world has attempted to establish the beneficial qualities of tea — a fact the Japanese and the Chinese knew anyway from ancient times, attributing to its that arean  numerous medicinal properties. (Source: ‘History: Tea Anytime’ by Ranjit Biswas from Literary Review, The Hindu, 1 October 2006) Collect information about tea, e.g. its evolution as a drink, its beneficial qualities. You can consult an encyclopaedia or visit Internet websites. Then form groups of five and play the following roles: Imagine a meeting of a tea planter, a sales agent, a tea lover (consumer), a physician and a tea-shop owner. Each person in the group has to put forward his/her views about tea. You may use the following words and phrases. 

I feel ... 

It is important to know ... 

I disagree with you ... 

I think that tea ... 

I would like you to know ... 

I agree with ... 

It is my feeling ... 

I suggest ... 

May I know why you ... 

I am afraid ...

Ans: History of Tea

Tea is one of the most popular beverages on the planet. This aromatic drink is prepared by pouring hot or boiling water over freshly prepared tea leaves. This drink is native to China and East Asia. It has a stimulating and calming effect on the brain due to the caffeine in it. Its history traces back to a text written by Hua Tuo in the 3rd century and was popular during the Tang dynasty. It was the Portuguese merchants who introduced tea to the Western world. They gradually picked up the tea-drinking culture and it became a fashionable activity in social settings. Over the years it has become the most popularly manufactured drink and consumed equally as coffee and alcohol. Most of the plantations are in hilly areas of India and Sri Lanka.

Conversation

Tea Lover: I drink tea as soon as I get out of bed. It's so simple to make and refreshes you for the day.

Tea Planter: I know it's an amazing plant. But it might be simple for you to make it in the morning but for us, it takes months and lots of toiling and labour.

Sales Agent: Yes! I visit Darjeeling almost twice a year to get stock for my shop. The plantations are so beautiful but the process is intensive.

Tea-shop owner: I never thought for getting tea you would have to travel so much. But the quality we get is so worth it.

Physician: Tea apart from its refreshing properties also have many antioxidants that's good for your skin but excessive consumption of it is harmful.

Tea Lover: Totally agree with that but it's just so hard to resist.

2. You are the sales executive of a famous tea company and you have been asked to draft an advertisement for the product. Draft the advertisement using the information you collected for the role play. You can draw pictures or add photographs and make your advertisement colourful.