Ideas that have Helped Mankind Summary Questions and Answers
Question 1.
Write a summary of India Through A Traveller’s Eyes.
Ans. India, despite her ups and downs, has always been a favoured destination for foreigners. The story of her civilization, the thinking of her philosopers and her architectural glories have inspired many a foreingner to visit India and enjoy the varieties of experience that she offers.
Pearl S. Buck, the Noble winning American writer, visited India just after the second world war when the freedom struggle in India was in its momentous phase. And the writer clearly says that she came to India to meet the young intellectuals and freedom fighters and not only to visit the TajMahal or Fatehpur Sikri. She did visit these monuments, but her main interest was in the political life of India and in the making of a new India under the leadership of Gandhi and Nehru.
She has put down her impressions quite candidly. She does not conceal her distress when she saw urchins begging m the streets. But she saw not only this painful poverty. She visited a few village households where she has experience of culture and dignity of living. She writes of a village house being cleaned by cow dung and where she was offered fresh rice, lentils and vegetables on banana leaves. The landlord of the house was a respected person and was seen being consulted by villagers.
The writer also had an occasion to visit Bombay and Delhi where she was quite happy listening to young political leaders speaking on their dreams of a modern society and on the strategies for independence. She expresses her great respect for Gandhiji’s belief in truth and non-violence. Already in her childhood days in China, she had read about Lord Buddha, She found Gandhi reviving the ancient teachings of India to galvanise the masses for the freedom struggle. She believes that this policy will bring success and will change the outlook of people all over the world.
Question 2.
What did Pearl S. Buck see in India?
Answer:
Pearl S. Buck came to India to meet her intellectuals and villagers who were both engaged in the struggle for freedom. And yet she could not check herself from visiting the ancient historical monuments like the Taj Mahal, the Fatehpur Sikri, and others, She visited cities and spoke to young people, the educated and the politically motivated persons. She found them well-disposed to all who cared for India. In them, she also noticed respect for modem education, reflected in their command over the English language. But they were also very much enthusiastic about their role in the liberation of their country. In villages, there was not much talk of politics. But the simple people were not without the intelligence or understanding of men. They respected Mahatma Gandhi because he was a truthful man, also a selfless person. This aspect of leadership made a deep impression upon Pearl S. Buck.
The author called on a few Indian homes and noticed no racial prejudice. She found the people open, courteous, and deeply religious.