Kerala State Board New Syllabus Plus Two English Textbook Answers Unit 2 Heights of Harmony Text Book Questions and Answers, Summary, Notes.
Kerala Plus Two English Textbook Answers Unit 2 Heights of Harmony
Little deed of kindness, little words of love, Make our earth an Eden, like the heaven above.
– Julia F. Carney
About The Unit
There are certain qualities and principles that are necessary to maintain the social fabric of human relations. Like the grains of sand on the seashore, each person must learn to coexist with others. That is how we reach the heights to harmony. This unit has a poem, a story and a one-act play.
The activities presented are to ensure smooth reading and to improve the language proficiency. They will also help the learners to improve their skills in literary appreciation. The play helps the learners to get acquainted with plot construction and characterization, and dramatics like acting, stage setting, stage management, etc.
Let’s Begin
“Compassionate people are genius in the art of living, more necessary to the dignity, security, and joy of humanity than the discoverers of knowledge. Large parts of the world are faced with starvation, while others are living in abundance.
A human being is a part of the whole called by us universe, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest, a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.”
– Albert Einstein
Compassionate people are geniuses in the art of living. They are more necessary to the dignity, security and joy of people than the discoverers of knowledge. Large parts of the world suffer hunger while others live in luxury.
A human being is a part of the whole we call the universe. He is a part limited in time and space. He experiences in himself, his thoughts and feelings as something different from others. This feeling is a kind of delusion. It imprisons us. It restricts us to our personal desires and to the love for a few persons close to us. Our task must be to free us from this prison. We must widen our circle of compassion to include all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.
Question 1.
What are the roles of the following in protecting and ensuring the rights of people?
a) Individuals
b) Political parties
c) Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
d) Governments
Answer:
a) Individuals: Individuals feel that their thoughts and feeling are different from others. This feeling is a kind of delusion. It imprisons them. It restricts them to their personal desires and to the love for a few persons dose to them. Their task must be to free themselves from this prison. They must widen their circle of compassion to include all living creatures and the whole nature in its beauty.
b) Political Parties : They should ensure that the rights of everyone are protected. Political parties should not limit themselves to any religion or region. They must work for the common good of all citizens in the country. Unfortunately, in India, there are religious and regional political parties which work forthe welfare of only their members.
c) Non-Governmental Organizations: A non-governmental organization (NGO) is an organization that is neither a part of a government nor an organization for making any profit. They are usually set up by ordinary dtizens. They are commonly funded by governments, foundations, businesses, or private persons. The NGOs must ensure that all the people, even small minorities, get their rights. Sometimes in a democracy there is the danger of the majority trampling on the rights of minorities. NGOs ensure that such things don’t happen.
d) Governments: Government must ensure that that all citizens are given equality before the law. The government may be by a political party or a coalition of parties. But once a government is formed, it should ensure the welfare of all the citizens irrespective of caste, creed, region, religion, or gender.
Question 2.
Imagine that your school has decided to form an organization to extend assistance to the society. In its first meeting, you present your opinions about the functioning of the organization. Suggest a few dos and don ’ts for the benefit of the organization, and for the betterment of the society.
Answer:
Dos:
- All students must be eligible to be members.
- Each member should contribute a certain amount every month.
- With the help of the teachers, find out in which ways students can help people near their school.
- The help can be financial help to the poor, cleaning the place up, making a common place where people can come and spend some time, etc.
- Meet once in a month to evaluate the progress.
- Develop a brotherly attitude.
Don’ts:
- Don’t discriminate against anybody.
- Don’t get involved in any kind of politics.
- Don’t let any religious feelings come into the organization.
- Don’t waste the money on unnecessary things.
- Don’t unnecessarily criticize people.
- Don’t be intolerant.
I. Read And Enjoy
Question 1.
Fraternity and tolerance are the two qualities that help in harmonious living. Do we maintain these qualities in our daily life? What should be our attitude to our neighbours? Should we accept their ideas to maintain good relations with them? Robert Frost gives some suggestions.