| |
ENGLISH: PAKISTAN
ZINDABAD.
Reference
The lines given for explanation are an extract
from the lesson, Pakistan Zindabad that has been taken from Quaid-e-Azam,
by John Walton.
Introduction
This essay sheds light upon the struggle of the Muslims of South
Asia to achieve a land of their own. It traces the history of the
efforts made by the Muslims during the period ranging from the adoption
of the Pakistan Resolution in March 1940 till the final freedom
and setting up of a sovereign homeland in August 1947. The first
section of the essay describes the arrival of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad
Ali Jinnah at Karachi on 7th August 1947. When he was accorded a
warm enthusiastic welcome by the people and when he outlined the
basic beliefs and principles of the people of Pakistan, laying stress
upon the equality of all Pakistanis irrespective of religion, casts,
colour or creed. Then the essay points out to the main differences
between the Congress and the Muslim League, between the view points
of Gandhi and Jinnah, and their ultimate outcome in the shape of
the two-nation theory becoming a reality. The concluding part of
the essay deals with the problems facing the new nation of Pakistan
in its initial years which incidentally proved to be the final year
in the life of the father of nation.
Lines
“THROUGH ALL THE EXCITEMENT OF THOSE FIRST --------------------
REMAINED CALM, SERIOUS AND EVEN SEVERE."
Explanation
In the passage, the author is describing his views, on the excitement
generated among the people of Pakistan on the first few days of
their independence. Earlier the Quaid-e-Azam has landed at the Mauripur
Airport on August 7, 1947. He was given a rousing welcome by the
people of Karachi. The people in their millions, welcomed their
Quaid, the first Governor General of Pakistan. While the people
were cheering with excitement and joy, though Quaid remained calm
and serious. He gave no sign of his feelings, though, he too must
have been delighted, at the tremendous joy, which the crowd was
expressing on his arrival. Those were the first few days in the
life of the young nation and the people were naturally, over-joyed.
But their Quaid, who made independence possible, looked very calm,
serious and even stern from appearance. He never revealed his feelings.
He always kept his feelings to himself.
Lines
“ALL THIS KILLING AND DESTRUCTION---------------------
IS A FRIEND OF TOMORROW.”
Explanation
In the above passage the author is shedding light on the shock and
sense of horror of the Quaid at the brutal killing of the Muslims,
when they were trying to cross over to their country, Pakistan from
India. The author is highlighting Jinnah’s shock and grief
at the senseless killings and destruction of the Muslims, when they
were coming over to their homeland. Jinnah was a man of peace. He
hated violence and cruelty at all times. He was overcome with grief
at the helplessness of the people, who were massacred by the Indians.
With all this killing and violence, Jinnah still begged for peace
and friendship with the Indians. Being neighbours, the Quaid extended
a hand of friendship, in the hope of lasting peace and prosperity.
That is why the Quaid hoped, that an enemy of today would become
a friend tomorrow. But alas! This was not to be.
Lines
“BY THE FORCE OF HIS DETERMINATION -----------------------
NATION IN THE WORLD.”
Explanation
In the above passage the author is highlighting the leadership qualities
of the Quaid-e-Azam. There are no two opinions about the Quaid’s
leadership as well as his iron determination. By the force of the
Quaid’s leadership as well as his determination, he formed
the Muslims of India into a nation, who were once a small defeated
entity, with nothing to hope for into a great force. The Quaid united
the Muslims into one forceful unit, in an empire, which was ruled
by the British. When the Muslims emerged as an independent nation,
they became the greatest of Muslim states and the fifth largest
nation in the world. This is a great tribute to the Quaid’s
leadership, that he and the Muslims of India stuck to their guns
and carried the day. But for the Quaid’s leadership and iron
will, this may not have been possible.
BIRKENHEAD
DRILL
Reference
The lines given for explanation has been taken from Asok Readers,
Book III. The lines given for explanation are an extract from the
lesson, Pakistan Zindabad that has been taken from Quaid-e-Azam,
by John Walton.
Introduction
Birkenhead Drill is a story of extravagant deed of heroism and shvarism
shown by the soldiers of British Army. The Birkenhead Drill was
a troop ship, which come across with sudden accident which has brought
a dramatic change in the life of soldiers. Birkenhead Drill means
Women and Children first is the order followed on all ships that
are in danger. Birkenhead Drill means today to stand be still facing
certain death so that the weaker ones may have a chance of life.
“SOME PEOPLE BORN GREAT
SOME PEOPLE HAVE GREATNESS
SOME PEOPLE ACHIEVE GREATNESS
WE SHOULD MAKE OUR LIFES SUBLIME”
Lines
“IT LAY HIDDEN UNDER THE------------------- ALL UNCONSCIOUS
OF ITS FATE.”
Explanation
A troop ship Birkenhead, was heading towards Capetown in South Africa.
It was carrying 630 British soldiers and their families. The Birkenhead
was almost at the end of its uneventful journey. But alas! It was
destined to be destroyed in the near future. Forty miles before
Capetown, was a rock, which was hidden under the surface of the
sea. This rock was unknown in 1851. Hence it was not shown in any
of the maps of the sea. The Birkenhead was heading straight for
it, all ‘unconscious of its fate’. It was about 2 a.m.
in the early hours of morning, when this terrible accident took
place. The author has used a lovely simile, in comparing the hidden
rock, to a wild animal of the sea, who is lying in wait, for its
victim. The unfortunate victim (Birkenhead), being blissfully unaware
of its fate, that it was destined to be doomed, soon. Whatever the
staff on board the Birkenhead might be thinking at that moment,
no one had the idea that very soon they were going to meet their
end. That the Birkenhead would collide against the hidden rock and
that, most of them would die.
Lines
“ANY PASSENGER WHO COULD NOT ---------------------
ONCE WHO MIGHT FALL INTO THE WAVES.”
Explanation
In the above extract, the author states that after the Birkenhead
had been destroyed, by crushing against the hidden rock most of
the life boats were either destroyed completely or badly damaged.
Only three lifeboats were in a useful condition. Each life boat
could carry about 60 passengers, which meant the lives of only 180
passengers could be saved. In the given passage the author states
that, one who could not get a place in one of the life boats fared
certain death – death by drowning or worse. The sea was alive
with sharks. Their cruel and fearful jaws awaited the unfortunate
ones, who might fall into the sea. There was no hope of any ones
survived, who might fell into the sea waves.
Lines
“BIRKENHEAD DRILL – WOMEN AND CHILDREN---------------
WEAKER ONES MAY HAVE A CHANCE OF LIFE."
Explanation
‘Birkenhead Drill’ is an order, which was given by the
commander of the troops. It was given in the face of utter crises.
The lives of over 600 passengers were at stake on he line. It was
a crisis of the highest magnitude. The commander wanted to save
the lives of 170 women and children. So he ordered his men, to stand
in proper drill formation, and form queues. The soldiers obeyed
the call of their commander and sacrificed their lives for a noble
cause – the 170 precious lives of women and children. It has
now become customary for the captain of the ship to say ‘Birkenhead
Drill’ whenever a ship is in danger. This is the signal for
the crew of the ship to stand at attention and save the lives of
the weaker ones – the women, children and the sick. |
|