Weathering the Storm in Ersama

Weathering the Storm in Ersama

TEXTUAL QUESTIONS

1. What havoc has the super cyclone wreaked in the life of the people of Orissa?

Ans. The super cyclone wreaked untold havoc in the life of the people of Orissa. Huge old trees were uprooted. Houses were washed away. There was water and water everywhere. Bloated carcasses and corpses floated in every direction. There were horrible sights of destruction all around.

2. How has Prashant, a teenager, been able to help the people of his village?

Ans. First he organized a group of youths and elders. This group pressed on the merchant to give rice for the villagers. After that he formed a team of volunteers to clean the place where the villagers had taken shelter. This team also treated the wounds and fractures of many people. Then he organized a team of women to look after children who had been orphaned. He persuaded women to work in the food-for-work programme. In this way Prashant helped the people of his village.

3. How have the people of the community helped one another? What role do the women of Kalikuda play during these days?

Ans. The people of the community helped one another. They formed themselves into groups. Women formed themselves into teams to look after the orphaned children. Men worked to get food and materials for the shelter.

4. Why do Prashant and other volunteers resist the plan to set up institutions for orphans and widows? What alternatives do they consider?

Ans. Prashant and other volunteers resist the plan to set up institutions for orphans and widows because they feel that in such institutions the orphaned children would grow up without love. Widowed women would suffer from stigma and loneliness. Thus, they believe that children should be brought up in the families of their own community. There they should be kept in families of childless widows.

5. Do you think Prashant is a good leader? Do you think young people can get together to help people during natural calamities?

Ans. Yes, Prashant is a good leader. He helps people to get over their grief and sorrow. He organizes them into groups so that they can help themselves and others also. I think that young people can learn from Prashant's example also. They can get together to help people during natural calamities.

LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTION

Q. Describe the destruction caused by the super cyclone as narrated in the story "Weathering the Storm in Ersama"? 

Ans. The cyclone, that hit Ersama on 27 October 1999, wreaked havoc in the life of the people of Orissa.  It was a super – cyclone that came towards the evening. Thousands of people were killed. Human corpses and animal carcasses could be seen floating in the waters. In this cyclone hundreds of houses were washed away.  People became homeless.  The cyclone left many children orphaned.  There was not enough food to eat.  They had to survive on green coconuts which were not adequate. The super - cyclone continued for thirty six hours.  There was not enough food to eat. They had to survive by eating coconuts which were not enough. Intense cyclones lasted for 36 hours.