Why should We Study Literature

             It is not easy to give any fixed definition of literature. But it may be suggested that any writing of fictional or non-fictional nature that deals with human life and has the power to engage the interest of all kinds of human beings can be called literature. Generally, books meant for specific subjects like chemistry, geography, political science or astronomy cannot be called literature because they do not have any universal appeal. But a novel by Bibhutibhusan, a poem by Tagore or an easy by Lamb is certainly a work of literature because it can arouse feelings that are universal. Literature can take many forms. It can be an epic like the Mahabharata, a novel like Pather Panchali, a poem like the ones in Rabindranath’s Geetanjali or a short story like O. Henry’s Gift of the Magi. Study of literature is both pleasurable and profitable, provided one reads selectively. Literature helps us pass time pleasurably with its good story, interesting characters and pictures of various places and cultures past and present. From great literary works we can gain profound insight into human nature as well as vital truths about different aspects of life. It is a pity that the habit of reading literature is on the decline among today’s youth. They spend more time watching TV and films than reading the classics of literature. They would rather see a film of Shakespeare’s Hamlet than read the play itself. But a film version of a literary classic, however well-made, cannot give the viewer the same depth of impression as the book itself can. But it appears that the young people today are more interested in building up a successful career than in enjoying literature or gathering wisdom from it. 

Night before The Examination

           The night before the History paper, which was an ordeal for me, stands vivid in my memory. Though I had finished my course and revised in time, yet a strange fear gripped my mind on the night of the last paper of History. I started feeling that I had lost the game. Forgetfulness started overtaking me. The vital task for recollecting all, what had been taught and learnt during the year, made me puzzled. All chronological data’s of historical events started slipping out of my mind one by one. I, however, picked up the courage and tried my best to grasp as many details as possible. It was an ordeal to revise the whole course in one night. And, by the time the dawn approached, I had everything at my tips. My face started glowing at the moment of going to take the examination.

An Accident I was Involved

         It was on the last day of the session for class VII. I was overjoyed, while returning from school, for I had topped the list of the successful students. When I came near the main bazaar, I started watching a prancing horse. Just then a scooter dashed against me. In trying to avoid the frightened horse, I was thrown head over heels in the air. I was grievously shocked and lay dazzled for ten minutes. Thanks God, The scooter was running at a low speed. When I regained consciousness and moved towards my house, the whole of my body was aching.

Aloo Dum

Ingredients:

Small potatoes - 500 gm,

Onions – 110 gm,

2 small tomatoes,

½ tea-spoon chilli powder,

1 tea-spoon turmeric powder,

¼ tea-spoon garam masala powder,

½ tea-spoon cumin seed,

2 red chilli,                               

1 tea-spoon sugar,

1 medium piece of ginger,

2 table-spoon oil,

Salt to taste,

450 ml. water

Preparation:

Cut tomato & mince onions.

Method:

Put potatoes in cooker body with water. Close lid. Place the cooker on heat. Bring it to full cooking pressure. Reduce to medium heat and cook for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and open cooker immediately. Peel potatoes and cut into equal pieces. Heat oil in the pan. When it smokes then put 2 red chilli and ½ tea-spoon cumin seed. Add onion and fry till brown. Add turmeric, garam masala, chilli powder, sugar and potato pieces. Keep stirring for 6-8 minutes before tossing. Add tomato and 1 ½ cup water. Cook on medium heat till water is absorbed. Serve with fluffy puris.

CHICKEN CURRY

Ingredients:

Whole chicken (medium size) 225 gm,
Onions 200gm,
Tomatoes 110 gm.,
Curd 1 tablespoon
Chilly powder  ¼ teaspoon,
Turmeric Powder ½ teaspoon,
Coriander 110 gm,
Vanaspati,
Salt to taste,
2 cups of water.

Preparation: Cut chicken in to pieces, wash it. Grate onions and cut tomatoes. Grinder to a Paste ginger & garlic.

Method: Heat vanaspati in cooker body and fry onions till golden brown. Add ginger-garlic paste, tomatoes and curd. Fry it. Add chicken, chilly powder, turmeric, coriander cumin 7 salt. Add water. Close lid. Bring the cooker to full cooking pressure. Reduce heat to medium and cook for 7 min. allow cooker to cool gradually. Open it.

PUNCTUALITY

           Being punctual in everyday affairs is one of the best habits. To do his work on time is a boon on the individual’s image in the society. By his punctuality one inspires confidence in others. Thus, he benefits a lot.

An important personality nicely develops a sense of being punctual at meetings, social functions, parties, receptions; public gatherings etc., Delays in arrival are resented deeply by hosts and organizers. If done too frequently, his influence over people diminishes. He will be degraded by the society.

            If all citizens of this country realize the importance of punctuality, it would be an added boon to the rapid stride in developing the nation. Being punctual does not mean that one should hurry things up and move about frantically at the last moment.

THE STATUS OF WOMEN IN SOCIETY

           In the past women were confined doing only household work and bringing up children. They were also treated as second-class citizens in society. They had no right to ancestral property and were exploited. Still we have had such women scholars as Aditi, and Maitri; warrior’s queen as Ahalyabai and Lakshmibai; political leaders as Sarojini Naidu and Annie Besant in Indian mythology and history. But such cases were far and few.

        After Independence, however, the status of women has improved in society. Women today enjoy equal opportunities of education and employment. They occupy the highest offices in the country and direct the destiny of the nation. Women’s employment is no longer confined to such traditional professions as tracing, secretarial work and nursing. They have excelled themselves in any vocation that they have entered and that was previously considered to be an exclusive male preserve. They have entered the police force, defense services, civil aviation, financial management, civil services, and other areas, and have reached the top on the basis of merit alone. They are also top models and actresses. Several Indian beauties have won the Miss World and Miss Universe title in the last few years, thus proving that Indians women are second to none in the world when it comes to a combination of beauty and brains.

        With increasing awareness and education available in the twenty-first century, women have realized their duties and responsibilities to society. They are prepared to work at par with the men while, at the same time, managing their home and children. In fact, their contribution to social welfare and well-being in much more than that of men in that they have to discharge a dual responsibility of staying ahead of men in their chosen vocation and managing their household efficiently.

        The status of women in the rural areas, however, still leaves much to the desired age-old beliefs and superstitions like child marriage, female feticide, dowry and such outdated customs as sati stand in the way of women’s progress. Still female literacy is lower than male literacy. The school dropout rate among girls is higher than among the boys. Women’s role in society is still that of doing household chores and bearing children, preferably males. Otherwise, they do not play an active role in society. Efforts must be made to improve the lot of women in the countryside if they are to occupy an honorable place in society and compete with their sisters in the urban areas in respect of education and employment. Only then can we have a society in which women are considered at par with men and enjoy on equal social status.