Chapter: 16. Building A New State
A. Answer these questions.
Dr. Kalam’s primary objective during his visit to Jharkhand was to work out a developmental program in the area of herbs, forest products, and other natural resources. Upon landing at Ranchi, Dr. Kalam was greeted by a group of boys and girls with lots of flowers. He was quite moved by their regard for him and their trust in his dreams. Dr. Kalam identified a fertile area with good rainfall, tall trees, rich vegetation, and hardworking people as components for development in Jharkhand. The plan for a herbal drugs industry was considered a “new experiment” because the drugs were intended to be manufactured within the state itself, aiming to provide increased income through value addition and boost local industry, which was a new approach for the state and for his team. Before the crash, as he flew over the forests and hills, Dr. Kalam was preoccupied with thoughts about how to conserve this precious natural wealth from mindless destruction for short-term business gains. Immediately after the crash, Dr. Kalam rationalized it by telling the pilots that sometimes such incidents happen with flying machines, and as pilots, they have to face it with courage. Dr. Kalam conveyed to the Chinmaya Vidyalaya students that Jharkhand possessed all the necessary wealth (minerals, fertile soil, forests, industrious people) and was a land waiting for transformation, urging them to use their core competence in a “mission mode” to make the state great. Besides industrial estates, Dr. Kalam identified “compartmentalized thinking” and “fragmented governance” (where one agency is alienated from another) as broader issues hindering development. B. Answer these questions with reference to the context.
Their faces were lit up with happiness so pure it is rarely seen any more, in the cities at least.
a. Whose faces are being described here?
* The faces of the young and old people from the hill region near Ranchi are being described.
b. What contrast is drawn between these people and those in cities?
* A contrast is drawn in the purity of happiness; their happiness is described as “so pure it is rarely seen any more, in the cities at least,” implying city dwellers might lack this genuine joy.
c. What underlying condition or struggle is implied despite their happiness?
* Despite their happiness, their bodies looked tired, showing signs of “excess work for a bare livelihood,” implying a struggle with poverty and demanding physical labor. I received the shock of my life: this was material mined in India and exported to Japan, who processed it and exported it to the US, and the US company refused to give it to India.
a. What “material” is being referred to in this context?
* The “material” being referred to is beryllium ore.
b. What was the “shock” for the speaker?
* The shock for the speaker was discovering that beryllium ore, mined in India, was being exported, processed in other countries (Japan and US), and then the final product (beryllium diaphragms) was refused to India by the US company.
c. What immediate action was taken as a result of this realization?
* The issue figured prominently in the press, and the export of beryllium ore was stopped. C. Think and answer.
Based on the extract, for Dr. Kalam’s “second vision” for India to succeed, crucial elements would include: Focus on Value Addition: Prioritizing the processing of raw materials within India to generate higher income and create employment, moving away from merely exporting raw resources. Integrated Governance: Overcoming “compartmentalized thinking” and fostering strong collaboration between state and central governments, as well as different agencies, to ensure holistic and coordinated development efforts. Empowering Education System: Nurturing creativity and innovation in younger generations, ensuring that the education system supports these “powerhouses of creativity” to prepare them for contributing to a knowledge society. National Initiative and Aims: Reinstating a strong sense of purpose and self-reliance, as seen during the pre-independence era, to drive indigenous solutions and development. Developing Core Competencies: Strategically identifying and utilizing the unique strengths of each region (like Jharkhand’s natural wealth and industrious people) to drive economic growth. If I were a young student in Jharkhand listening to Dr. Kalam’s speech, the aspect that would likely resonate most with me is his emphasis on Jharkhand’s immense natural wealth and, more importantly, the potential of its “industrious people”. Why it would resonate: As a young person growing up in a state often perceived as underdeveloped, hearing a respected figure like Dr. Kalam articulate that my home state “has all the wealth needed” and that its people are its greatest asset would be incredibly empowering. It would shift the focus from perceived limitations to inherent strengths. His challenge to make Jharkhand great, combined with the idea that “Today’s incident will help define my remaining life’s mission” (referring to the crash and his renewed determination), would instill a sense of pride, responsibility, and urgency. It would make me feel that I, too, can be a part of transforming my state, inspiring me to work hard and contribute to its future. 
Answer key