DESCRIPTION OF A PICNIC IN WHICH I TOOK PART

Preparation- It was a Saturday evening. I was discussing with my classmates how best we could spend the next day. Jatin, one of our classmates, suggested having a picnic in their country house at Khardaha on the bank of the Hooghly river, commonly known as the Ganga. The suggestion found ready acceptance. It was decided that next morning we should all meet at the Sealdah Station and catch the 6.30 train in the morning. We then went to market and made some necessary purchases which were entrusted to the care of Sailen. And I took upon myself the responsibility of taking some cooking utensils and vessels. 

The Journey- The next morning we reached the station at the appointed time. Then we got into the train. It was a short journey; still we passed the time merrily. After reaching Khardaha station, we went to the country house hiring several rickshaws. After taking a little rest we had our breakfast there. It consisted of tea, buttered toast, sweets and fruits.

Bathing in the river - The house stood just on the Ganga. A landing stage led from the compound of thewouse to the water of the river. We all know how to swim. So  rubbed our body well with mustard oil and plunged into the water for a swim. It was the month of April, and so the bath in the cool water of the river was very refreshing. 

Our meal - After the bath was over we began to prepare our food. I know how to cook. So I took the leading part in this. We had brought meat and fish with us. While the cooking was going on, some of us began to read newspapers, some others began to play cards. Some sat by the side of the river to enjoy the beauty of the scene. When the cooking was over plantain leaves were spread by one of us and then he also sat with us. We fell to eating as we were very hungry. But all the while we were talking about various topics. We had a grand feast, and everybody admired my cooking skill. 

Rest after Meal - We had all eaten our fill and we required some rest. We lay down on the carpet soft grass in the shade of a tree. A pleasant breeze was blowing. Some of us fell asleep, while others went on playing cards and chatting.

 The evening and the return journey - In the afternoon we had tea. Then we all sat on the bank of the river. The sun was now setting. A pleasant breeze was blowing from the south. The river was flowing down with a sweet murmuring note. Many boats were sailing up and down the river. We enjoyed the scene very much. At last the time for our departure arrived. We gave some baksis to the servant of the country house who helped us much. We then went to the station, got into a local train and reached Sealdah.From there we went to our respective homes. We were all of the opinion that we had passed a very pleasant day. 

DOMESTIC ANIMALS

Introduction - Some animals live in the houses of men. These are called domestic animals. Men keep them for milk, food, hunting, riding, tilling the land and for many other useful services to them. The cow, the dog, the buffalo, the horses, the sheep, the goat, the camel, the donkey, the elephant, etc. are domestic animals.
Different domestic animals and their usefulness -The cow is perhaps the most useful of all domestic animals. She gives us milk. Milk is a perfect food. It is the principal food of babies and sick persons. Butter, ghee, cheese, curd and many kinds of sweets are made of cow's milk. The ox draws carts and ploughs the field.Cow dung is used as manure and fuel. The urine of the cow is used as medicine in many diseases. Some people eat the flesh of the cow or ox. The cow is useful to us even when she is dead. Her skin, hoof, hair, horns, bones are all useful to us. Many things are made of these. So the cow is one of the most useful animal friends of men.
Men keep buffaloes for milk and for drawing carts and ploughing the field. Various things are made also from the milk of buffaloes.
The goat is kept 'or meat. The she goat gives us milk. This milk is generally tak€, by children and sick people.
    The sheep is kept for its hair and flesh. The hair is made into wool. This wool is used in making warm clothes. 
    The horse is kept for riding. Some horses draw carts and carriages, plough the field and carry loads. Some horses are trained to run races. A race horse sometimes brings a large fortune to its master. Some horses are used in battle. It is a very intelligent animal. Sometimes it saves its master's life. It has a beautiful appearance. For its intelligence and fine appearance it is called a noble animal. 
    The camel is kept by the people of the desert.It can store a large quantity of water by oridizing the fat in the hump. It is very useful to those people. They get its milk and flesh. It is the only means of transport in the desert. It can store a large quantity of water in its body, for this reason it can walk long distances and work without water for days together in hot summer days. Hence it is called the ship of the desert. 
   The donkey is a beast of burden. It is used for drawing and carrying heavy loads. It is used in hunting also. It is also a very intelligent animal. 
    None of these animals take fish or meat. They live on grass, hay, leaves, grams, oil cakes, rice-gruel, etc. 
Among the domestic animals we have also the dog and the cat. The cat is generally kept as a domestic pet. The cat does one service to men. It kills rats and mice. But it is a thief. It eats fish and meat and drinks milk very stealthily. 
    The dog is a very faithful animal friend of men. It guards the house of its master.. It is used in hunting. Some dogs are trained to detect criminals. They are sometimes kept as pets. They are very intelligent. Dogs and cats do not eat grass. They are fond of fish and meat. The cat is particularly fond of milk.
Conclusion - These domestic animals are all useful to men. Hence they should be treated kindly. They should be properly fed and taken care of. 

SELF-HELP

What it is- Some people do their own work themselves. 
They do not require the help of others. They do not depend upon others. This habit of doing work without the help of others is called self-help.
 Benefit - Self-help is the best help. It is a great virtue. It leads one to success in life. God helps those who help themselves. It is the will of God that man should not be dependent on others. He must do his work himself. Self-help instills self-respect in a man. 
He feels his inner power. He feels that he is not inferior to anybody. He feels proud that he does not depend upon others. He does not bow down to anybody. He feels that he will rise to fame and honour. He relies upon his own strength and abilities. Such a man has a strong will-force. Nothing seems to him to be difficult. Such a man is honest and hard-working. Success is his prize. He can face the world boldly, because he does not want the help of others. 
He is blessed; he is happy. 
Effect of the want of self-help - Some men can do no work without the help of others. They are weak-minded. They have no strength of mind. They feel something lacking in them. Such men can never do any great work. They cannot face and overcome difficulties. They cannot earn their own bread even. They are idle and inactive. Their lives are miserable. 
When to acquire it - We must acquire this habit of self-help early in life. Some students do not work hard. They try to depend upon others. They suffer in the long run. It is, therefore, the duty of all to start. being self-reliant even when they are young. 
Example - All great men of the past had been self-reliant.
 Pandit Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar is a brilliant example of self-help. All of us know how he depended upon his own self. 
He struggled alone in spite of poverty. He did everything himself when he was a student. He cooked his own food. The spirit of self-help made him so great. We should follow his example if we want to be a great man. 

THE CYCLONE

What it is and where it occurs- A cyclone is a very violent storm.
 It never comes alone. Heavy showers of rain, thunder and lightning are its companions. 
When a cyclone blows, it moves round and round in the form of small circles. 
It always changes its course when it blows. It does not move always i n the
same direction like an ordinary storm. It occurs mostly i n the
warm parts of the world. India is a region of such a part of the
world. Hence cyclones often blow over her. In cold countries
there is no cyclone.
The signs of a cyclone - There are some signs of a brewing
cyclone. A low pressure is created in the sea. The weather becomes
very hot. There is not a breath of wind. Patches of dark clouds
gradually spread in the sky. At last, the sky becomes dark. A
storm sets in. The wind then begins to blow violently. That is
the beginning of a cyclone.
The actual cyclone - Then it rains very heavily. Flashes
of lightning are seen. Thunders begin to peal loudly. The wind
begins to blow furiously. It blows on forming circles. There is a
roaring sound. The wind continues to blow for some hours.
Sometimes it continues for a day or two. Such terrible cyclones
happened in September 1918 before the Pujas and in November
1988.
Its effect - The effect of a cyclone is terrible. Big trees fall.
Roofs of houses are blown away. Many a house is destroyed.
Many a man is killed. The water of the river rises. There are
huge waves in the river. Many boats sink. Many men are
drowned. Sometimes steamers are also sunk. Everywhere dead
bodies of men and beasts are found. Crops are destroyed. People
suffer much. They become homeless and helpless. There is
scarcity of food. Famine breaks out. This miserable condition of
the people cannot be fully described. Other people then try to
help them with money, food, medicine and clothes.
Conclusion - The cyclone is a terrible evil. Man has no
power to prevent it. But people may be warned beforehand
by  weather experts and meteorologists that there will be a cyclone.

 

A RAINY DAY

Introduction -After the unbearable heat of the summer
season, people welcome the rainy season. The rain falls. The
temperature comes down. It is a great relief.
The sky on a rainy day - The sky is overcast with clouds.
The sun is not visible. Sometimes the day becomes dark. There
are occasional flashes of lightning and the loud roar of the
thunder.
The rain begins - At first rain falls in drops. Then it falls
in torrents, sometimes for hours together. The roads in the
countryside become muddy and slippery. The drains are filled
up. It is difficult to walk along the road. In some towns there
are underground drains. The rain water cannot easily pass
through the drains. So the streets . are flooded. It is a sight to
see.
Sufferings of the people -. When there is heavy rainfall,
the roads are flooded. People have to wade through water. Thus
a heavy rainfall causes great inconvenience to people, specially
to the office -goers and workers. In old houses and huts the
rainwater leaks through the roof. So people who live there suffer
great inconvenience. People cannot go to the market. Dealers in
fish and fresh vegetables suffer loss if they do not get buyers.
Poor day-labourers cannot go out. They lose their day's wages.

Comfortable to some persons - Some persons have not to
go out when it rains heavily. They remain comfortably at home.
As going to market is not possible in heavy showers, Khichuri
is prepared at home. It is a very palatable food to many people.
Many people are fond of eating panpar, puffed rice mixed with
mustard oil, green pepper, onion and fried groundnuts in such
a weather. Some lie down comfortably . in their soft bed and read
light novels. Some play indoor games like cards, carrom, ludo
etc.
Rainy day and School boys - School boys generally
welcome a rainy day. They find an excuse to be absent from
school. Some boys go to school. They feel a great joy to wade
through the water in the streets. They thoroughly drench
themselves willingly. They go to school in wet dress. The
attendance at school is generally thin on such a day. So the
school is dismissed. No roll is called. The Headmaster declares a
rainy day. Boys are very glad. They go home with a happy
heart.
Conclusion - Though we welcome the rain, poor people
suffer very much. Office -goers and other busy men have to go
out even in the midst of the rain. A rainy day causes
inconvenience to them. So it is welcome to some, while others do
not like a rainy day.

 

THE BOOK FAIR

Introduction - We have seen or heard of a village fair. We know what is shown there. 

There are also industrial fairs in towns and cities to exhibit industrial products. 

Now we are acquainted with a new kind of fair. It is the Book Fair.
What it is - A Book Fair is a fair on books— the never failing friends of man in his joys and sorrows, in his onward
march for progress. The Book Fair is of recent origin. It is now
limited to a few cities or towns. It has attracted an intellectual
section.
As education is progressing, the desire of the people to read
books is also on the increase. Though books may be available at
book -shops in different parts of a country, a Book Fair has a
particular attraction for bbok-lovers. Here we see stalls of
publishers not from one particular place, but from many parts
of the country. Within a small campass, without the least
difficulty or inconvenience we. can have books on various, subjects
published by different publishers of different places. We can
have an on -the -spot inspection of the books we want. This is a
great advantage. Here lovers of books are induced to purchase
books and get discounts.
The Book Fair in Kolkata - Every year a Book Fair is
'now held in Kolkata. The first Book Fair was held in 1976. The
thirteenth Book Fair was held in 1987. It continued from 27th
January to 7th February for twelve days. It is organized by a
group of young energetic publishers under the name of "Book-
sellers and Publishers' Guild". We are thankful to them for this
bold adventure. In the first Book Fair there were only 35 stalls.
Year after year its popularity is increasing. This shows how the
intellectual and cultural sections of Kolkatans are getting
interested in the progress of the fair. Its popularity has so much
increased that even many foreign publishers have joined it.
Moreover, it has been recognized by the International publishing
Association.
Here we see old and young people and school -going boys and
girls. They visit the well -decorated stall, and see books which
may not be available at the book shops in Kolkata. Visitors have
to pay a fee at the gate for entering the premises. Children are
given concessions and even allowed free entrance. Symposiums

and Seminars also are held for discussion about the inprovement
of publishing books and about the utility of these fairs. One is
really interested to see the eagerness of people, young and old,
to visit the stalls and purchase books. Reports say that books
worth several crores of rupees are sold in the course of ten or
twelve days.
Frankfurt Book Fair - Frankfurt is a city in West Germany.
It has the largest book fair in the whole world. In the 38th
Frankfurt Book Fair Indian publishers exhibited their
publications. An unprecedented interest in Indian books was
taken by book traders, publishers nd the reading public from
all over the world.
Conclusion - Inspired by the success of this fair, people in
some other towns and even in some villages of West Bengal has
also now been holding such a fair every year since 1981. It is
also growing to be popular, but is not yet as popular as the one
organized by the Book -sellers' and Publishers' Guild of Kolkata.

Earthquake

An earthquake (also known as a quake, tremor or temblor) is the perceptible shaking of the surface of the Earth, resulting from the sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves. Earthquakes can be violent enough to toss people around and destroy whole cities. The seismicity or seismic activity of an area refers to the frequency, type and size of earthquakes experienced over a period of time.
Earthquakes are measured using observations from seismometers. The moment magnitude is the most common scale on which earthquakes larger than approximately 5 are reported for the entire globe. The more numerous earthquakes smaller than magnitude 5 reported by national seismological observatories are measured mostly on the local magnitude scale, also referred to as the Richter magnitude scale. These two scales are numerically similar over their range of validity. Magnitude 3 or lower earthquakes are mostly almost imperceptible or weak and magnitude 7 and over potentially cause serious damage over larger areas, depending on their depth. The largest earthquakes in historic times have been of magnitude slightly over 9, although there is no limit to the possible magnitude. Intensity of shaking is measured on the modified Mercalli scale. The shallower an earthquake, the more damage to structures it causes, all else being equal.
At the Earth's surface, earthquakes manifest themselves by shaking and sometimes displacement of the ground. When the epicenter of a large earthquake is located offshore, the seabed may be displaced sufficiently to cause a tsunami. Earthquakes can also trigger landslides, and occasionally volcanic activity. Tectonic earthquakes occur anywhere in the earth where there is sufficient stored elastic strain energy to drive fracture propagation along a fault plane

Writing

Writing is a medium of human communication that represents language and emotion through the inscription or recording of signs and symbols. In most languages, writing is a complement to speech or spoken language. Writing is not a language but a form of technology that developed as tools developed with human society. Within a language system, writing relies on many of the same structures as speech, such as grammar,vocabulary, and semantics, with the added dependency of a system of signs or symbols. The result of writing is generally called text, and the recipient of text is called a reader. Motivations for writing include publication, storytelling, correspondence and diary. Writing has been instrumental in keeping history, maintaining culture, dissemination of knowledge through the media and the formation of legal systems. It is also an important medium of expressing oneself by way of written words as do authors, poets and the like.