Question Answers Class 10 Chapter 1.1 Kumarbharati English Maharashtra Board

Where the Mind is Without Fear…

ENGLISH WORKSHOP

1. In your notebook write down lines from the poem as a proof for the following.

(a) Tagore wishes for a nation where people are truthful.

• Line: “Where words come out from the depth of truth” This shows Tagore wants people to speak with honesty and sincerity.

(b) The poet would like everyone to work hard to reach their goal and in the long run to reach perfection.

• Line: “Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection” This means Tagore wishes for people to keep working hard to achieve their best.

(c) The poet wishes that everyone in his country holds his head high in dignity.

• Line: “Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high” This shows he wants people to live with pride and without fear.

(d) The poet dreams of a nation where knowledge should be free to all.

• Line: “Where knowledge is free” This proves Tagore desires education to be available to everyone without restrictions.

(e) The poem is a ‘prayer’.

• Line: “Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake” This line shows Tagore is praying to God for his country’s freedom, making it a prayer.

2. Read the columns carefully and match the expressions with their meanings.

3. (A) Answer the following questions in your own words.

(a) How is the world broken into fragments?

• The world is divided into pieces by narrow domestic walls, which means differences like religion, caste, class, and color separate people and countries.

(b) Explain what the ‘tireless striving’ should be for.

• ‘Tireless striving’ means working hard without stopping. It should be to achieve perfection, like improving ourselves and our country continuously.

(c) ‘Where words come out from the depth of truth.’ Explain in your own words.

• This means people should speak honestly and sincerely, with words that come from their hearts, not lies or shallow thoughts.

(d) Who is ‘Thee’ in the poem? What does the poet appeal to ‘Thee’ to do?

• ‘Thee’ refers to God. The poet appeals to God to guide people’s minds toward good thoughts and actions and to awaken his country into a free and perfect place.

(e) What qualities does the poet wish to inculcate in his countrymen?

• Tagore wants his countrymen to be fearless, truthful, hardworking, reasonable, free-thinking, and proud, while also respecting others’ freedom.

(B) Write in your notebook your own response and justify, where needed.

(a) Is the poem a prayer for India alone?

• No, it’s not just for India. While Tagore wrote it for India under British rule, its ideas-like freedom, truth, and knowledge-can apply to any country wanting a better future.

(b) What should the words we speak reflect?

• Our words should reflect truth and sincerity, coming from deep within us, so they are honest and meaningful, as Tagore wishes.

(c) What should people keep on widening? How can it be done?

• People should keep widening their thoughts and actions. This can be done by learning new things, respecting others’ views, and avoiding old, harmful habits.

(d) From what darkness of night should our nation awake?

• Our nation should awake from the darkness of fear, ignorance, division, and harmful traditions, into a bright future of freedom and unity.

(e) What attributes of Rabindranath Tagore does the poem (prayer) reflect?

• The poem shows Tagore’s love for freedom, his hope for a better society, his deep thinking, and his spiritual nature as he prays to God.

(f) What effect does the repetition of the word ‘where’ at the beginning of each line?

• The repetition of ‘where’ creates a dreamy, hopeful tone. It builds a picture of an ideal world step-by-step, making the prayer strong and memorable.

4. Read the poem carefully and complete the table after the discussion in pairs. One is done for you.

5. (A) Complete the following sentences using your own interpretation.

(a) When the mind is without fear and head unbowed, we enjoy complete freedom.

(b) When knowledge is free, every citizen enjoys the right to learn and grow.

(c) We can prevent injustice when we pull down discriminatory walls of caste, class, religion, etc.

(d) Constant effort and strife leads to success and perfection.

(e) Logical thinking and reasoning can put a stop to blind beliefs and superstitions.

(f) Tagore appeals to God to make his country a heaven of freedom.

(B) Fill in the blanks.

(a) Students should keep themselves aloof from bad habits and negativity.

(b) When everyone will be literate, society will progress.

(c) It is a social duty of every student of the modern world to uproot discrimination from societies.

(d) Students must develop broad-minded outlook and attitudes.

(e) In the world of sycophancy, students must stay honest and independent.

6. Find out the examples of ‘Metaphor’ from the poem.

• “Clear stream of reason” – Reason is compared to a flowing stream.
• “Dreary desert sand of dead habit” – Dead habits are compared to a dry, lifeless desert.
• “Narrow domestic walls” – Divisions in society are compared to walls.
• “Heaven of freedom” – Freedom is compared to a heavenly place.

7. Almost every line of the poem begins with the word ‘Where’ and it expects an idealistic country and countrymen. Now work in a group of six students and compose your poem regarding ‘Ideal School’. Begin your lines with the word ‘Where’ . . . . .

Here’s a sample poem: Where students learn without any fear, Where teachers guide with love and care, Where knowledge flows free for all to share, Where every mind grows beyond compare, Where friendship blooms in the open air, Where dreams take flight, bold and fair.

8. Read the poem. Write an Appreciation of the poem in about 12 to 15 sentences with the help of the following points. Use a paragraph format.

The poem “Where the Mind is Without Fear” is written by Rabindranath Tagore, a famous poet who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913. The title itself suggests a vision of a fearless and free world. This poem doesn’t follow a strict rhyme scheme; it is written in free verse, which gives it a natural flow. My favorite line is “Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high” because it inspires courage and dignity. The central theme of the poem is a prayer for a free and ideal nation where people live with truth, reason, and unity. Tagore uses figures of speech like metaphors, such as “clear stream of reason” and “dreary desert sand of dead habit,” to make his ideas vivid. The poem is a lyric type, expressing deep emotions and hopes. Its language is simple yet powerful, with a hopeful and serious tone. The repeated use of “where” creates a dreamy effect, painting a picture of an ideal world. The implied meaning is a call for freedom-not just from British rule but also from ignorance and division. I like this poem because it motivates us to dream big and work for a better society. It reflects Tagore’s love for his country and his vision for humanity. This timeless piece makes me feel proud and hopeful.

9. Imagine that you have to deliver a speech on the occasion of ‘Independence Day’ or the ‘Republic Day’ in the school assembly. Prepare a speech to deliver on ‘India of my dreams’.

Greeting and salutation: Good morning, respected principal, teachers, and dear friends!

Self Introduction: I am [Your Name], a student of Class 9, standing before you today.

Introduction of the topic: On this special occasion of Independence Day, I want to share my vision of “India of my dreams.”

Elaboration of the topic with examples: I dream of an India where every person lives without fear, just like Rabindranath Tagore wished in his poem. I see a country where education is free for all, so no child is left behind-like how we see schools in cities but not always in villages. I dream of an India where there are no walls of caste or religion, where people work together, like how our freedom fighters united against the British. I want an India where we use reason, not old habits, to solve problems-like using technology to clean rivers instead of polluting them.

Conclusion: My dream is of an India that shines with freedom, unity, and progress-a true “heaven of freedom.” Let’s all work hard to make it real!

Thanking audience: Thank you for listening to me. Jai Hind!

10. Read the short story written by Rabindranath Tagore ‘The Kabuliwala’ or ‘The Home Coming.’ Visit the website and collect more information about Rabindranath Tagore’s life and work.

 Answer (for notebook):

• I read “The Kabuliwala,” a touching story by Rabindranath Tagore about a fruit seller from Afghanistan and his bond with a little girl in India. It shows his love for his own daughter back home.
• From the internet, I learned that Tagore was born in 1861 in Kolkata and wrote poems, stories, and plays. He won the Nobel Prize in 1913 for “Gitanjali.” He also started a school called Shantiniketan to promote free thinking. He died in 1941, leaving behind a legacy of beautiful literature.