Ahimsa

• English
• Secondary Education

Welcome to English Class

How excited are you for today's lesson?

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AHIMSA

Supriya Kelkar

DID YOU READ THE NOVEL?

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Expected Learning Outcomes

I will be able to understand the beginning of the great novel "Ahimsa" by Supriya Keller.

I will be able to emotionaly connect with story.

Where and when is the story set?

 Set in 1942 during the Indian Freedom Movement, this novel touches on so many timely issues. After Mahatma Gandhi asks each family to give one member to the nonviolent freedom fight, Anjali is devastated to think about her father joining the movement. But he isn’t the one going. Her mother is.

Let's take a trip to know the characters.

Anjali

Anjali is a 10 year old young girl who is filled with patriotism for her country, India. 

Her mother, Shailaja Joshi

Anjali's mother is one of the many people influenced greatly by Gandhi ji and his freedom movement. We will see how she helps Anjali discover who she is and at the same time contributes in the movement. 

Her father

Anjali's father is an important role in her life. He is a professor.  

Captain Brent

Captain Brent is an intimidating British officer who treats all Indians, irrespective of caste, as untouchables. Anjali has several face-offs with Captain Brent, in one of them where he calls all the Indians pests, she replies, “We’re not the ones invading someone else’s home like a cockroach.” 

Irfan 

Irfan is Anjali's friend, whom she considers as her brother. 

Chachaji

An old person with old thinking. He does not like women working outside of home,  and does not like untouchables anywhere near to him.

Mohan

Mohan is an untouchable who lives in a dirty basti. He is the toilet cleaner of Anjali's home. He is just a few years older than Anjali.

Other Characters:

Suman: Anjali's neighbor and her classmate.

Anusuya: Anjali's classmate who lost her father in Quit India  Movement.

Jamuna: Anjali's house maid.

Nandini: Anjali's cow and her best friend.

Word Meaning

1) Intimidating - to make timid or fearful

2) Untouchability - A part of caste system, where people are considered unlucky and can't be touched. They are stuck with filthy jobs.

3) Vandalizing -  to deliberately destroy or damage (property)

4) Filthy -  very dirty

Ten-year-old Anjali and her Muslim friend Irfaan are caught vandalizing the house of Captain Brent the British officer who is the British Raj authority in her small town . In protest against the British occupation of India, many homes and offices of the British throughout India have been defaced with a black "Q" for Quit India.

Only a week earlier, Anjali's mother, Shailaja Joshi had been working as Captain Brent's secretary, translating decrees and legal notices of the British Raj. She also typed letters of rejection for mercy for people whose sons had been arresting fighting for independence from Britain. But she inexplicably quit her job. Now as Captain Brent is escorting them back to his house, they encounter Anjali's mother. Captain Brent's accusations are interrupted by Mrs. Mishra's pleas that he pardon her son who is sentenced to hang for burning down a municipal building. However, Captain Brent is more concerned with Anjali's act of vandalism and he refuses Mrs. Mishra's request. Even though it is evident that Anjali and Irfaan are responsible, Anjali's mother is furious at his treatment of Mrs. Mishra and refuses to accept the British officer's accusations, instead taking Anjali and Irfaan home. At home, Anjali quietly sits with Nandini, her cow to reflect upon her actions. This reminds her, of her lucky charm - peacock feather. It always gave a sign to Anjali that things will get better soon.Ten-year-old Anjali and her Muslim friend Irfaan are caught vandalizing the house of Captain Brent the British officer who is the British Raj authority in her small town . In protest against the British occupation of India, many homes and offices of the British throughout India have been defaced with a black "Q" for Quit India.

Only a week earlier, Anjali's mother, Shailaja Joshi had been working as Captain Brent's secretary, translating decrees and legal notices of the British Raj. She also typed letters of rejection for mercy for people whose sons had been arresting fighting for independence from Britain. But she inexplicably quit her job. Now as Captain Brent is escorting them back to his house, they encounter Anjali's mother. Captain Brent's accusations are interrupted by Mrs. Mishra's pleas that he pardon her son who is sentenced to hang for burning down a municipal building. However, Captain Brent is more concerned with Anjali's act of vandalism and he refuses Mrs. Mishra's request. Even though it is evident that Anjali and Irfaan are responsible, Anjali's mother is furious at his treatment of Mrs. Mishra and refuses to accept the British officer's accusations, instead taking Anjali and Irfaan home. At home, Anjali quietly sits with Nandini, her cow to reflect upon her actions. This reminds her, of her lucky charm - peacock feather. It always gave a sign to Anjali that things will get better soon.

Ten-year-old Anjali and her Muslim friend, Irfaan are caught vandalizing the house of Captain Brent the British officer who is the British Raj authority in her small town. In protest against the British occupation of India, many homes and offices of the British throughout India have been defaced with a black "Q" for Quit India.

Only a week earlier, Anjali's mother, Shailaja Joshi had been working as Captain Brent's secretary, translating decrees and legal notices of the British Raj. She also typed letters of rejection for mercy for people whose sons had been arresting fighting for independence from Britain. But she inexplicably quit her job. 

Now as Captain Brent is escorting them back to his house, they encounter Anjali's mother. Captain Brent's accusations are interrupted by Mrs. Mishra's pleas that he pardon her son who is sentenced to hang for burning down a municipal building. However, Captain Brent is more concerned with Anjali's act of vandalism and he refuses Mrs. Mishra's request. Even though it is evident that Anjali and Irfaan are responsible, Anjali's mother is furious at his treatment of Mrs. Mishra and refuses to accept the British officer's accusations, instead taking Anjali and Irfaan home. At home, Anjali quietly sits with Nandini, her cow to reflect upon her actions. 

At home, Anjali quietly sits with Nandini, her cow to reflect upon her actions. 

Later Anjali along with her mother, Baba, Uncle Chachaji and their maid, Jamuna listen to a rebroadcast of Mahatma Gandhi's August 8, 1942 "Quit India" speech. The Indian people want the British to leave India with Gandhi is urging a nonviolence form of resistance called ahimsa. Each family is requested to send one person to the fight for independence. As it turns out, this is why Anjali's mother has quit working - she will be the "freedom fighter" from their family as Anjali's father must work to support them. Chachaji is against the Quit India movement and the movement to change things in Indian society because he believes that living is better with the britishers here.

Anjali was devasted to hear that her mother will be joining the freedom movement and she might not be safe anymore. To see how life would be, she followed Anusuya, her classmate to her home. And clearly, it was not going to be the same.

At home, Anjali meets Mohan, a boy only a few years older than her and from the Untouchable caste, who cleans their backyard toilet waste each day. Untouchables are the lowest caste and are not allowed to enter temples for fear of "polluting" them. People believe they make everything they touch unclean and so they are shunned. Anjali's mother decides to clean their toilet. "We should be thanking them for cleaning up this mess. Why are they dirty for cleaning it? It's our mess, isn't it?" 

Quiz time!

Anjali painted a _______ for ________ on Captain Brent's compound wall.

1. V for Vandalism.
2. C for Civil disobedience.
3. L for leave India.
4. Q for Quit India movement.

Captain Brent was very kind-hearted and believed in equality.

1. True
2. False

At the beginning, we see that Anjali's mom worked as _____.

1. Captain Brent's secretary
2. Captain Brent's house keeper
3. Mrs. Mishra's employee
4. None of the above

Why was Chachaji against Anjali's mother working?

1. He thought it was unsafe for her.
2. He believed that women should work as housewives.
3. He was afraid that something would happen.
4. None of the above

Captain Brent fired Anjali's mom from her job.

1. True
2. False

Mrs. Mishra's son ________.

1. Destroyed Anasuya's house.
2. Vandalised a bristish property.
3. Worked under Captain Brent.
4. None of the above.

Anjali was very connected to Nandini.

1. True
2. False

__________ was going to join the Quit India movement.

1. Jamuna
2. Anjali's dad
3. Anjali's mom
4. Chachaji

What was the importance of a peacock feather in Anjali's life?

1. She really liked its look.
2. It was a sign that things would get better soon.
3. She loved playing with it.

Anusuya always had to wear:

1. Ghaghra Choli
2. Sari
3. Plain white clothes
4. Black coloured clothes

Anjali followed Anusuya to her home just to know how her life is like.

1. True
2. False

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