THE PORTRAIT OF A LADY

Khushwant Singh

Introducing the author

Khushwant Singh (born 2 February 1915) is aprominent Indian English writer and journalist.His weekly column, "With Malice towards Oneand All", carried by several Indian newspapers, isamong the most widely read columns. He is wellknown in Indian literary history as one of thefinest historians and novelists, a forthrightpolitical commentator, an outstanding observerand a critic of social life.

📝 Odia Translation (ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଅନୁବାଦ)

THE PORTRAIT OF A LADY (ଜଣେ ଭଦ୍ରମହିଳାଙ୍କ ଶବ୍ଦଚିତ୍ର)ଖୁସୱନ୍ତ ସିଂହ - ଲେଖକଙ୍କ ପରିଚୟଖୁସୱନ୍ତ ସିଂହ (ଜନ୍ମ: ୨ ଫେବୃଆରୀ ୧୯୧୫) ହେଉଛନ୍ତି ଜଣେ ବିଶିଷ୍ଟ ଭାରତୀୟ ଇଂରାଜୀ ଲେଖକ ଏବଂ ସାମ୍ବାଦିକ। ତାଙ୍କର ସାପ୍ତାହିକ ସ୍ତମ୍ଭ (କଲମ୍), "With Malice towards One and All" (ସମସ୍ତଙ୍କ ପ୍ରତି ଟିକେ ବିଦ୍ରୂପ ବା ବ୍ୟଙ୍ଗ ସହିତ), ଯାହାକି ଅନେକ ଭାରତୀୟ ଖବରକାଗଜରେ ପ୍ରକାଶିତ ହେଉଥିଲା, ତାହା ସର୍ବାଧିକ ପଠିତ ସ୍ତମ୍ଭଗୁଡ଼ିକ ମଧ୍ୟରୁ ଅନ୍ୟତମ ଅଟେ। ଭାରତୀୟ ସାହିତ୍ୟ ଇତିହାସରେ ସେ ଜଣେ ଶ୍ରେଷ୍ଠ ଐତିହାସିକ ଏବଂ ଔପନ୍ୟାସିକ, ଜଣେ ସ୍ପଷ୍ଟବାଦୀ ରାଜନୈତିକ ସମୀକ୍ଷକ, ଜଣେ ଅସାଧାରଣ ପର୍ଯ୍ୟବେକ୍ଷକ ଏବଂ ସାମାଜିକ ଜୀବନର ଜଣେ ସମାଲୋଚକ ଭାବରେ ସୁପରିଚିତ ଅଟନ୍ତି।

📚 Difficult Word Meanings (କଠିନ ଶବ୍ଦର ଅର୍ଥ)

Unit I

Warm up

Do you enjoy your grandparents' company? Are they good companions?Children grow up with a typical image of their grandparents in their minds. Anyother thought is almost revolting to them. Read the following unit of the textcarefully and note how the writer portrays his grandmother:

📝 Odia Translation (ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଅନୁବାଦ)

ୟୁନିଟ୍ I
ପ୍ରାରମ୍ଭିକ ପ୍ରସ୍ତୁତି (Warm up)
ଆପଣ ନିଜ ଜେଜେବାପା-ଜେଜେମାଆଙ୍କ (ବା ଅଜା-ଆଈଙ୍କ) ସାନ୍ନିଧ୍ୟ ଉପଭୋଗ କରନ୍ତି କି? ସେମାନେ କ'ଣ ଭଲ ସାଥୀ ଅଟନ୍ତି କି? ପିଲାମାନେ ନିଜ ମନରେ ନିଜ ଜେଜେବାପା ଓ ଜେଜେମାଆଙ୍କର ଏକ ସ୍ୱାଭାବିକ (ଚିରାଚରିତ) ଛବି ବା ରୂପ ଧରି ବଡ଼ ହୁଅନ୍ତି। ସେମାନଙ୍କ ବିଷୟରେ ଅନ୍ୟ କୌଣସି ଚିନ୍ତାଧାରା ପିଲାମାନଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ ପ୍ରାୟତଃ ଅଗ୍ରହଣୀୟ ବା ଅବିଶ୍ୱସନୀୟ ଲାଗେ। ପାଠ୍ୟର ନିମ୍ନଲିଖିତ ଅଂଶକୁ ଧ୍ୟାନର ସହ ପଢ଼ନ୍ତୁ ଏବଂ ଲକ୍ଷ୍ୟ କରନ୍ତୁ ଲେଖକ କିପରି ନିଜ ଜେଜେମାଆଙ୍କର ଚିତ୍ରଣ (ବର୍ଣ୍ଣନା) କରିଛନ୍ତି:

📚 Difficult Word Meanings (କଠିନ ଶବ୍ଦର ଅର୍ଥ)

The Text

My grandmother, like everybody's grandmother, was an old woman. She hadbeen old and wrinkled for the twenty years that I had known her. People said thatshe had once been young and pretty and had even had a husband, but that washard to believe. My grandfather's portrait hung above the mantelpiece in thedrawing-room.

He wore a big turban and loose-fitting clothes. His long white beard covered the best part of his chest and he looked at least a hundred years old. He did not look the sort of person who would have a wife or children. He looked as if he could only have lots and lots of grandchildren. As for my grandmother being young and pretty, the thought was almost revolting. She often told us of the games she used to play as a child. That seemed quite absurd and undignified on her part and we treated it like the fables of the Prophets she used to tell us.
She had always been short and fat and slightly bent. Her face was a criss-cross of wrinkles running from everywhere to everywhere. No, we were certain she had always been, as we had known her. Old, so terribly old that she could not have grown older, and had stayed at the same age for twenty years. She could never have been pretty; but she was always beautiful. She hobbled about the house in spotless white with one hand resting on her waist to balance her stoop and the other telling the beads of her rosary. Her silver locks were scattered untidily over her pale, puckered face, and her lips constantly moved in inaudible prayer. Yes, she was beautiful. She was like the winter landscape in the mountains, an expanse of pure white serenity breathing peace and contentment.

📝 Odia Translation (ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଅନୁବାଦ)

ମୂଳ ପାଠ (The Text)

ମୋ ଜେଜେମାଆ, ଅନ୍ୟ ସମସ୍ତଙ୍କ ଜେଜେମାଆଙ୍କ ପରି, ଜଣେ ବୃଦ୍ଧା ମହିଳା ଥିଲେ। ମୁଁ ତାଙ୍କୁ ଜାଣିବାର କୋଡ଼ିଏ ବର୍ଷ ହେଲାଣି ସେ ଏହିପରି ବୃଦ୍ଧା ଏବଂ ତାଙ୍କ ମୁହଁ ସେହିପରି କୁଞ୍ଚିତ (wrinkled) ରହିଆସିଛି। ଲୋକମାନେ କହୁଥିଲେ ଯେ ସେ ଦିନେ ଯୁବତୀ ଓ ସୁନ୍ଦରୀ ଥିଲେ ଏବଂ ତାଙ୍କର ଜଣେ ସ୍ୱାମୀ ମଧ୍ୟ ଥିଲେ, କିନ୍ତୁ ଏହା ବିଶ୍ୱାସ କରିବା କଷ୍ଟକର ଥିଲା। ମୋ ଜେଜେବାପାଙ୍କର ଏକ ଛବି ବୈଠକଖାନାରେ ଥିବା ଚୁଲି ଉପର ଥାକ (mantelpiece) ଉପରେ ଟଙ୍ଗା ହୋଇଥିଲା।

ସେ ଏକ ବଡ଼ ପଗଡ଼ି ଏବଂ ଢିଲା ପୋଷାକ ପିନ୍ଧିଥିଲେ। ତାଙ୍କର ଲମ୍ବା ଧଳା ଦାଢ଼ି ତାଙ୍କ ଛାତିର ଅଧିକାଂଶ ଭାଗକୁ ଘୋଡ଼ାଇ ରଖିଥିଲା ଏବଂ ସେ ଦେଖିବାକୁ ଅତି କମରେ ଶହେ ବର୍ଷ ବୟସ୍କ ଲାଗୁଥିଲେ। ସେ ଏପରି ଜଣେ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି ଭଳି ଦେଖାଯାଉନଥିଲେ ଯାହାଙ୍କର ସ୍ତ୍ରୀ କିମ୍ବା ପିଲାଛୁଆ ଥିବେ। ବରଂ ସେ ଏପରି ଲାଗୁଥିଲେ ଯେପରି ତାଙ୍କର କେବଳ ବହୁତ ବହୁତ ନାତିନାତୁଣୀ ହିଁ ଥିବେ। ମୋ ଜେଜେମାଆ ଯୁବତୀ ଏବଂ ଆକର୍ଷଣୀୟା ଥିବା କଥା ଭାବିଲେ, ଏହା ପ୍ରାୟତଃ ଅଗ୍ରହଣୀୟ (ଅବିଶ୍ୱସନୀୟ) ଲାଗୁଥିଲା। ସେ ପ୍ରାୟତଃ ଆମକୁ ତାଙ୍କ ପିଲାଦିନେ ଖେଳୁଥିବା ଖେଳ ବିଷୟରେ କହୁଥିଲେ। ତାଙ୍କ ପକ୍ଷରୁ ଏହା ସମ୍ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ଅବାସ୍ତବ ଏବଂ ହାସ୍ୟାସ୍ପଦ ଲାଗୁଥିଲା ଏବଂ ଆମେ ଏହାକୁ ସେ ଆମକୁ କହୁଥିବା ପବିତ୍ର ପୁରୁଷମାନଙ୍କର (Prophets) କାହାଣୀ ପରି ଗ୍ରହଣ କରୁଥିଲୁ।

ସେ ସବୁବେଳେ ଗେଡ଼ୀ, ମୋଟୀ ଏବଂ ଟିକେ ନଇଁପଡିଥିଲେ। ତାଙ୍କ ମୁହଁସାରା ଏଠୁ ସେଠିକି ଲମ୍ବିଥିବା ଅସଂଖ୍ୟ କୁଞ୍ଚନ (wrinkles) ର ଏକ ଜାଲ ଥିଲା। ନା, ଆମେ ନିଶ୍ଚିତ ଥିଲୁ ଯେ ଆମେ ତାଙ୍କୁ ଯେପରି ଦେଖିଛୁ, ସେ ସବୁବେଳେ ସେହିପରି ହିଁ ଥିଲେ। ବୃଦ୍ଧା, ଏତେ ଅଧିକ ବୃଦ୍ଧା ଯେ ସେ ଆଉ ଅଧିକ ବୁଢ଼ୀ ହୋଇପାରିବେ ନାହିଁ, ଏବଂ କୋଡ଼ିଏ ବର୍ଷ ଧରି ସେହି ଏକା ବୟସରେ ହିଁ ଅଟକି ରହିଛନ୍ତି। ସେ କେବେ ବି ଆକର୍ଷଣୀୟା (pretty) ହୋଇପାରିନଥାନ୍ତି; କିନ୍ତୁ ସେ ସର୍ବଦା ସୁନ୍ଦରୀ (beautiful) ଥିଲେ। ସେ ନିଜର ନଇଁଯାଇଥିବା ଶରୀରକୁ (stoop) ଭାରସାମ୍ୟ ରଖିବା ପାଇଁ ଗୋଟିଏ ହାତ ଅଣ୍ଟାରେ ରଖି ଏବଂ ଅନ୍ୟ ହାତରେ ଜପାମାଳି ଧରି, ସମ୍ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ଧଳା ପୋଷାକରେ ଘରସାରା ଛୋଟେଇ ଛୋଟେଇ ବୁଲୁଥିଲେ। ତାଙ୍କର ରୂପା ପରି ଧଳା କେଶ ତାଙ୍କର ଫିକା, କୁଞ୍ଚିତ ମୁହଁ ଉପରେ ଅସଜଡା ଭାବରେ ଖେଳେଇ ହୋଇ ରହୁଥିଲା ଏବଂ ତାଙ୍କ ଓଠ କ୍ରମାଗତ ଭାବରେ ଏକ ଅସ୍ପଷ୍ଟ ପ୍ରାର୍ଥନାରେ ହଲୁଥିଲା। ହଁ, ସେ ସୁନ୍ଦରୀ ଥିଲେ। ସେ ପାହାଡ଼ରେ ଥିବା ଶୀତଦିନର ଦୃଶ୍ୟ (winter landscape) ପରି ଥିଲେ, ଶୁଦ୍ଧ ଶ୍ୱେତମୟ ପ୍ରଶାନ୍ତିର ଏକ ବିସ୍ତୃତ ଅଞ୍ଚଳ, ଯାହା ଶାନ୍ତି ଏବଂ ଆତ୍ମସନ୍ତୋଷରେ ନିଶ୍ୱାସ ନେଉଥାଏ।

📚 Comprehensive Difficult Word Meanings (ସମ୍ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ କଠିନ ଶବ୍ଦର ଅର୍ଥ)

Warm up

Grandmothers are generally affectionate, protective and caring. Read the following unit of the text and note how the writer's grandmother looked after him in their village during his childhood:

The Text

My grandmother and I were good friends. My parents left me with her when they went to live in the city and we were constantly together. She used to wake me up in the morning and get me ready for school. She said her morning prayer in a monotonous sing-song while she bathed and dressed me in the hope that I would listen and get to know it by heart. I listened because I loved her voice but never bothered to learn it. Then she would fetch my wooden slate which she had already washed and plastered with yellow chalk, a tiny earthen ink pot and a reed pen, tie them all in a bundle and hand it to me. After a breakfast of a thick, stale chapatti with a little butter and sugar spread on it, we went to school. She carried several stale chapatties with her for the village dogs.
My grandmother always went to school with me because the school was attached to the temple. The priest taught us the alphabet and the morning prayer. While the children sat in rows on either side of the verandah singing the alphabet or the prayer in a chorus, my grandmother sat inside reading the scriptures. When we had both finished, we would walk back together. This time the village dogs would meet us at the temple door. They followed us to our home growling and fighting with each other for the chapatties we threw to them. .

📝 Odia Translation (ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଅନୁବାଦ)

ୟୁନିଟ୍ II
ପ୍ରାରମ୍ଭିକ ପ୍ରସ୍ତୁତି (Warm up)
ଜେଜେମାଆମାନେ ସାଧାରଣତଃ ସ୍ନେହୀ, ସୁରକ୍ଷାକାରୀ ଏବଂ ଯତ୍ନଶୀଳ ଅଟନ୍ତି। ପାଠ୍ୟର ନିମ୍ନଲିଖିତ ଅଂଶକୁ ପଢ଼ନ୍ତୁ ଏବଂ ଲକ୍ଷ୍ୟ କରନ୍ତୁ ଲେଖକଙ୍କର ପିଲାଦିନେ ଗାଁରେ ତାଙ୍କ ଜେଜେମାଆ କିପରି ତାଙ୍କର ଯତ୍ନ ନେଉଥିଲେ:

ମୂଳ ପାଠ (The Text)
ମୋ ଜେଜେମାଆ ଏବଂ ମୁଁ ଭଲ ବନ୍ଧୁ ଥିଲୁ। ଯେତେବେଳେ ମୋ ବାପାମାଆ ସହରରେ ରହିବାକୁ ଗଲେ, ସେମାନେ ମୋତେ ତାଙ୍କ ପାଖରେ ଛାଡ଼ିଦେଇ ଯାଇଥିଲେ ଏବଂ ଆମେ ସବୁବେଳେ ଏକାଠି ରହୁଥିଲୁ। ସେ ମୋତେ ସକାଳୁ ଉଠାଉଥିଲେ ଏବଂ ସ୍କୁଲ ପାଇଁ ପ୍ରସ୍ତୁତ କରୁଥିଲେ। ମୋତେ ଗାଧୋଇଦେବା ଏବଂ ପୋଷାକ ପିନ୍ଧାଇବା ସମୟରେ ସେ ତାଙ୍କର ସକାଳ ପ୍ରାର୍ଥନାକୁ ଏକ ଏକଘେକିଆ (monotonous) ସ୍ୱରରେ ଗାଉଥିଲେ, ଏହି ଆଶାରେ ଯେ ମୁଁ ତାହା ଶୁଣିବି ଏବଂ ଘୋଷି ମନେରଖିଦେବି। ମୁଁ ଶୁଣୁଥିଲି କାରଣ ମୋତେ ତାଙ୍କ ସ୍ୱର ଭଲ ଲାଗୁଥିଲା, କିନ୍ତୁ ତାହାକୁ ଶିଖିବାକୁ କେବେବି ଚେଷ୍ଟା କରିନଥିଲି। ତା'ପରେ ସେ ମୋର କାଠର ସିଲଟ ଆଣିଦେଉଥିଲେ, ଯାହାକୁ ସେ ଆଗରୁ ଧୋଇ ହଳଦିଆ ମାଟି (chalk) ବୋଳି ରଖିଥାନ୍ତି, ତା'ସହ ଏକ ଛୋଟ ମାଟିର କାଳି-ଦୁଆତ ଏବଂ ଏକ ନଳ-କଲମ (reed pen) ଆଣି ସବୁକୁ ଏକାଠି ବାନ୍ଧି ମୋ ହାତରେ ଦେଉଥିଲେ। ଅଳ୍ପ ଲହୁଣୀ ଏବଂ ଚିନି ବୋଳା ହୋଇଥିବା ଏକ ମୋଟା ଓ ବାସି ରୁଟି ଖାଇସାରିବା ପରେ, ଆମେ ସ୍କୁଲ ଯାଉଥିଲୁ। ସେ ଗାଁ କୁକୁରମାନଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ ନିଜ ସହ ଅନେକ ବାସି ରୁଟି ନେଇକି ଯାଉଥିଲେ।

ମୋ ଜେଜେମାଆ ସବୁବେଳେ ମୋ ସହିତ ସ୍କୁଲ ଯାଉଥିଲେ କାରଣ ସ୍କୁଲଟି ମନ୍ଦିର ସହ ଲାଗିକି ଥିଲା। ପୂଜକ ଆମକୁ ବର୍ଣ୍ଣମାଳା ଏବଂ ସକାଳ ପ୍ରାର୍ଥନା ଶିଖାଉଥିଲେ। ଯେତେବେଳେ ପିଲାମାନେ ବାରଣ୍ଡାର ଦୁଇ ପାଖରେ ଧାଡ଼ି ବାନ୍ଧି ବସି ସମସ୍ୱରରେ (chorus) ବର୍ଣ୍ଣମାଳା ବା ପ୍ରାର୍ଥନା ଗାଉଥିଲେ, ମୋ ଜେଜେମାଆ ମନ୍ଦିର ଭିତରେ ବସି ଧର୍ମଗ୍ରନ୍ଥ ପଢ଼ୁଥିଲେ। ଯେତେବେଳେ ଆମ ଦୁହିଁଙ୍କର କାମ ସରିଯାଉଥିଲା, ଆମେ ଏକାଠି ଚାଲି ଚାଲି ଘରକୁ ଫେରୁଥିଲୁ। ଏହି ସମୟରେ ଗାଁ କୁକୁରମାନେ ମନ୍ଦିର ଦ୍ୱାର ପାଖରେ ଆମକୁ ଭେଟୁଥିଲେ। ଆମେ ସେମାନଙ୍କ ଆଡ଼କୁ ଫିଙ୍ଗୁଥିବା ରୁଟି ପାଇଁ ପରସ୍ପର ସହ ଲଢ଼େଇ କରି ଓ ଗର୍ଜନ କରି ସେମାନେ ଆମ ଘର ଯାଏଁ ଆମ ପଛେ ପଛେ ଆସୁଥିଲେ।

📚 Comprehensive Difficult Word Meanings (ସମ୍ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ କଠିନ ଶବ୍ଦର ଅର୍ଥ)

---

Unit III

Warm up

Life in the village is quite different from city life. Family relationship also changes. Identities are modified. There is a turning point in relationships. Read the following unit of the text and note how a turning point occurs in the writer's relationship with his grandmother:

The Text

When my parents were comfortably settled in the city, they sent for us. That was a turning point in our friendship. Although we shared the same room, my grandmother no longer came to school with me. I used to go to an English school in a motor bus. There were no dogs in the streets and she took to feeding sparrows in the courtyard of our city house.
As the years rolled by, we saw less of each other. For some time she continued to wake me up and get me ready for school. When I came back, she would ask me what the teacher had taught me. I would tell her English words and little things of western science and learning, the law of gravity, Archimedes' principle, the world being round, etc. This made her unhappy. She could not help me with my lessons.

She did not believe in the things they taught at the English school and was distressed that there was no teaching about God and the scriptures. One day I announced that we were being given music lessons. She was very disturbed. To her, music had lewd associations. It was the monopoly of harlots and beggars and not meant for gentlefolk. She said nothing but her silence meant disapproval. She rarely talked to me after that.
When I went up to University, I was given a room of my own. The common link of friendship was snapped. My grandmother accepted her seclusion with resignation. She rarely left her spinning wheel to talk to anyone. From sunrise to sunset she sat by her wheel spinning and reciting prayers. Only in the afternoon she relaxed for a while to feed the sparrows. While she sat in the verandah breaking the bread into little bits, hundreds of little birds collected round her creating a veritable bedlam of chirrupings. Some came and perched on her legs, others on her shoulders. Some even sat on her head. She smiled but never shoo'd them away. It used to be the happiest half-hour of the day for her.

ୟୁନିଟ୍ III
ପ୍ରାରମ୍ଭିକ ପ୍ରସ୍ତୁତି (Warm up)
ଗାଁର ଜୀବନ ସହର ଜୀବନଠାରୁ ସମ୍ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ଭିନ୍ନ ଅଟେ। ପାରିବାରିକ ସମ୍ପର୍କରେ ମଧ୍ୟ ପରିବର୍ତ୍ତନ ଆସେ। ପରିଚୟଗୁଡ଼ିକ ରୂପାନ୍ତରିତ ହୁଏ। ସମ୍ପର୍କରେ ଏକ ନୂଆ ମୋଡ଼ ବା ପରିବର୍ତ୍ତନ ଆସେ। ପାଠ୍ୟର ନିମ୍ନଲିଖିତ ଅଂଶକୁ ପଢ଼ନ୍ତୁ ଏବଂ ଲକ୍ଷ୍ୟ କରନ୍ତୁ ଲେଖକ ଏବଂ ତାଙ୍କ ଜେଜେମାଆଙ୍କ ସମ୍ପର୍କରେ କିପରି ଏକ ନୂଆ ମୋଡ଼ ଆସୁଛି:

ମୂଳ ପାଠ (The Text)
ଯେତେବେଳେ ମୋ ବାପାମାଆ ସହରରେ ସୁବିଧାରେ ବସବାସ କରିବାକୁ ଲାଗିଲେ, ସେମାନେ ଆମକୁ ଡାକି ପଠାଇଲେ। ତାହା ଆମ ବନ୍ଧୁତାରେ ଏକ ନୂଆ ମୋଡ଼ (turning point) ଥିଲା। ଯଦିଓ ଆମେ ଗୋଟିଏ ରୁମ୍‌ରେ ରହୁଥିଲୁ, ମୋ ଜେଜେମାଆ ଆଉ ମୋ ସହିତ ସ୍କୁଲ ଯାଉନଥିଲେ। ମୁଁ ଗୋଟିଏ ମୋଟର ବସ୍‌ରେ ଏକ ଇଂରାଜୀ ସ୍କୁଲକୁ ଯାଉଥିଲି। ରାସ୍ତାରେ କୌଣସି କୁକୁର ନଥିଲେ, ତେଣୁ ସେ ଆମ ସହର ଘରର ଅଗଣାରେ ଘରଚଟିଆମାନଙ୍କୁ (sparrows) ଖାଇବାକୁ ଦେବା ଆରମ୍ଭ କରିଦେଲେ।

ଯେପରି ବର୍ଷ ବିତିବାକୁ ଲାଗିଲା, ଆମେ ପରସ୍ପରକୁ କମ୍ ଦେଖିଲୁ। କିଛି ସମୟ ପାଇଁ ସେ ମୋତେ ଉଠାଇବା ଏବଂ ସ୍କୁଲ ପାଇଁ ପ୍ରସ୍ତୁତ କରିବା ଜାରି ରଖିଥିଲେ। ଯେତେବେଳେ ମୁଁ ଫେରୁଥିଲି, ଶିକ୍ଷକ ମୋତେ କ'ଣ ପଢ଼ାଇଛନ୍ତି ବୋଲି ସେ ମୋତେ ପଚାରୁଥିଲେ। ମୁଁ ତାଙ୍କୁ ଇଂରାଜୀ ଶବ୍ଦ ଏବଂ ପାଶ୍ଚାତ୍ୟ ବିଜ୍ଞାନ ଓ ଶିକ୍ଷାର ଛୋଟ ଛୋଟ କଥା ଯଥା- ମାଧ୍ୟାକର୍ଷଣ ନିୟମ, ଆର୍କିମେଡିସ୍‌ଙ୍କ ତତ୍ତ୍ୱ, ପୃଥିବୀ ଗୋଲାକାର ଇତ୍ୟାଦି ବିଷୟରେ କହୁଥିଲି। ଏହା ତାଙ୍କୁ ଦୁଃଖିତ କରୁଥିଲା। ସେ ମୋର ପାଠପଢ଼ାରେ ମୋତେ ସାହାଯ୍ୟ କରିପାରୁନଥିଲେ।

ଇଂରାଜୀ ସ୍କୁଲରେ ପଢ଼ାଯାଉଥିବା ଜିନିଷଗୁଡ଼ିକୁ ସେ ବିଶ୍ୱାସ କରୁନଥିଲେ ଏବଂ ସେଠାରେ ଭଗବାନ ଓ ଧର୍ମଗ୍ରନ୍ଥ ବିଷୟରେ କୌଣସି ଶିକ୍ଷା ଦିଆଯାଉନଥିବାରୁ ସେ ବହୁତ ବ୍ୟଥିତ ଥିଲେ। ଦିନେ ମୁଁ ଜଣାଇଲି ଯେ ଆମକୁ ସଙ୍ଗୀତ ଶିକ୍ଷା ଦିଆଯାଉଛି। ସେ ବହୁତ ବ୍ୟସ୍ତ ଓ ବିବ୍ରତ ହୋଇଗଲେ। ତାଙ୍କ ମତରେ, ସଙ୍ଗୀତର ସମ୍ପର୍କ ଅଶ୍ଳୀଳତା ସହିତ ଥିଲା। ଏହା ବେଶ୍ୟା ଏବଂ ଭିକାରୀମାନଙ୍କର ଏକଚାଟିଆ ଅଧିକାର ଥିଲା ଏବଂ ଭଦ୍ରଲୋକଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ ଆଦୌ ଉଦ୍ଦିଷ୍ଟ ନଥିଲା। ସେ କିଛି କହିନଥିଲେ, କିନ୍ତୁ ତାଙ୍କର ନୀରବତାର ଅର୍ଥ ଥିଲା ଅସହମତି। ତା'ପରେ ସେ ମୋ ସହିତ କ୍ୱଚିତ୍ କଥା ହେଉଥିଲେ।

ଯେତେବେଳେ ମୁଁ ବିଶ୍ୱବିଦ୍ୟାଳୟ (ୟୁନିଭରସିଟି) କୁ ଗଲି, ମୋତେ ମୋର ନିଜର ଏକ ଅଲଗା ରୁମ୍ ଦିଆଗଲା। ଆମ ବନ୍ଧୁତାର ସାଧାରଣ ସମ୍ପର୍କ ଛିନ୍ନ ହୋଇଗଲା। ମୋ ଜେଜେମାଆ ନିଜର ଏକାକୀପଣକୁ ବିନା ପ୍ରତିବାଦରେ ଗ୍ରହଣ କରିନେଲେ। କାହା ସହ କଥା ହେବା ପାଇଁ ସେ କ୍ୱଚିତ୍ ନିଜ ଅରଟ (spinning wheel) କୁ ଛାଡୁଥିଲେ। ସୂର୍ଯ୍ୟୋଦୟରୁ ସୂର୍ଯ୍ୟାସ୍ତ ପର୍ଯ୍ୟନ୍ତ ସେ ନିଜ ଅରଟ ପାଖରେ ବସି ସୂତା କାଟୁଥିଲେ ଏବଂ ପ୍ରାର୍ଥନା ଗାଉଥିଲେ। କେବଳ ଅପରାହ୍ନରେ ଘରଚଟିଆମାନଙ୍କୁ ଖାଇବାକୁ ଦେବା ପାଇଁ ସେ କିଛି ସମୟ ବିଶ୍ରାମ ନେଉଥିଲେ। ଯେତେବେଳେ ସେ ବାରଣ୍ଡାରେ ବସି ରୁଟିକୁ ଛୋଟ ଛୋଟ ଖଣ୍ଡ କରି ଭାଙ୍ଗୁଥିଲେ, ଶହ ଶହ ସଂଖ୍ୟାରେ ଛୋଟ ପକ୍ଷୀମାନେ ତାଙ୍କ ଚାରିପଟେ ଜମା ହୋଇ କିଚିରିମିଚିରି ଶବ୍ଦ କରି ପ୍ରକୃତରେ ଏକ କୋଳାହଳ ପରିବେଶ ସୃଷ୍ଟି କରୁଥିଲେ। କିଛି ଆସି ତାଙ୍କ ଗୋଡ଼ ଉପରେ ବସୁଥିଲେ, ଅନ୍ୟମାନେ ତାଙ୍କ କାନ୍ଧ ଉପରେ। କିଛି ତାଙ୍କ ମୁଣ୍ଡ ଉପରେ ବି ବସୁଥିଲେ। ସେ ହସୁଥିଲେ କିନ୍ତୁ କେବେବି ସେମାନଙ୍କୁ ଘଉଡ଼ାଉ ନଥିଲେ। ଏହା ତାଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ ଦିନର ସବୁଠାରୁ ଖୁସିର ଅଧଘଣ୍ଟା ଥିଲା।

📚 Comprehensive Difficult Word Meanings (ସମ୍ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ କଠିନ ଶବ୍ଦର ଅର୍ଥ)

---

Unit IV

Warm up

You are already acquainted with the first three phases of the author's relationship with his grandmother. In the first phase, the grandmother looked after the author in the village and he was physically very close to her. In the second phase, he was estranged from her when he went to city school. In the third phase, the common link of friendship between them snapped when he went to University. Finally, when he went abroad for further studies, the last sign of physical contact between them was lost. Read the concluding part of the text and note how the final curtain falls in the grandmother's life.

📝 Odia Translation (ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଅନୁବାଦ)

ୟୁନିଟ୍ IV
ପ୍ରାରମ୍ଭିକ ପ୍ରସ୍ତୁତି (Warm up)
ଲେଖକ ଏବଂ ତାଙ୍କ ଜେଜେମାଆଙ୍କ ସମ୍ପର୍କର ପ୍ରଥମ ତିନୋଟି ପର୍ଯ୍ୟାୟ ବିଷୟରେ ଆପଣ ପୂର୍ବରୁ ଅବଗତ ଅଛନ୍ତି। ପ୍ରଥମ ପର୍ଯ୍ୟାୟରେ, ଜେଜେମାଆ ଗାଁରେ ଲେଖକଙ୍କର ଯତ୍ନ ନେଉଥିଲେ ଏବଂ ସେ (ଲେଖକ) ଶାରୀରିକ ଭାବରେ ତାଙ୍କର ବହୁତ ନିକଟତର ଥିଲେ। ଦ୍ୱିତୀୟ ପର୍ଯ୍ୟାୟରେ, ଯେତେବେଳେ ସେ ସହରର ସ୍କୁଲକୁ ଗଲେ, ସେତେବେଳେ ସେ ତାଙ୍କଠାରୁ ଦୂରେଇ ଯାଇଥିଲେ। ତୃତୀୟ ପର୍ଯ୍ୟାୟରେ, ଯେତେବେଳେ ସେ ବିଶ୍ୱବିଦ୍ୟାଳୟକୁ ଗଲେ, ସେତେବେଳେ ସେମାନଙ୍କ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ଥିବା ବନ୍ଧୁତାର ସାଧାରଣ ସମ୍ପର୍କ ମଧ୍ୟ ଛିନ୍ନ ହୋଇଗଲା। ଶେଷରେ, ଯେତେବେଳେ ସେ ଉଚ୍ଚଶିକ୍ଷା ପାଇଁ ବିଦେଶ ଗଲେ, ସେତେବେଳେ ସେମାନଙ୍କ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ଥିବା ସମ୍ପର୍କର ଶେଷ ଚିହ୍ନ ମଧ୍ୟ ହଜିଗଲା। ପାଠ୍ୟର ଶେଷ ଭାଗକୁ ପଢ଼ନ୍ତୁ ଏବଂ ଲକ୍ଷ୍ୟ କରନ୍ତୁ କିପରି ଜେଜେମାଆଙ୍କ ଜୀବନର ଅନ୍ତିମ ପର୍ଦ୍ଦା ଖସୁଛି (ଅର୍ଥାତ୍ ଜୀବନର ଶେଷ ସମୟ କିପରି ବିତୁଛି)।

📚 Comprehensive Difficult Word Meanings (ସମ୍ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ କଠିନ ଶବ୍ଦର ଅର୍ଥ)

The Text

When I decided to go abroad for further studies, I was sure my grandmother would be upset. I would be away for five years, and at her age one could never tell... But my grandmother could. She was not even sentimental. She came to leave me at the railway station but did not talk or show any emotion. Her lips moved in prayer, her mind was lost in prayer. Her fingers were busy telling the beads of her rosary. Silently she kissed my forehead, and when I left, I cherished the moist imprint as perhaps the last sign of physical contact between us.
But that was not so. After five years I came back home and was met by her at the station. She did not look a day older. She still had no time for words, and while she clasped me in her arms, I could hear her reciting her prayer. Even on the first day of my arrival, her happiest moments were with her sparrows whom she fed longer and with frivolous rebukes.
In the evening, a change came over her. She did not pray. She collected the women of the neighbourhood, got an old drum and started to sing. For several hours she thumped the sagging skins of the dilapidated drum and sang of the home-coming

of warriors. We had to persuade her to stop to avoid overstraining. That was the first time since I had known her that she did not pray.
The next morning she was taken ill. It was a mild fever and the doctor told us that it would go. But my grandmother thought differently. She told us that her end was near. She said that, since only a few hours before the close of the last chapter of her life she bad omitted to pray, she was not going to waste any more time talking to us.
We protested. But she ignored our protests. She lay peacefully in bed praying and telling her beads. Even before we could suspect, her lips stopped moving and the rosary fell from her lifeless fingers. A peaceful pallor spread on her face and we knew that she was dead.
We lifted her off the bed and, as is customary, laid her on the ground and covered her with a red shroud. After a few hours of mourning we left her alone to make arrangements for her funeral.
In the evening, we went to her room with a crude stretcher to take her to be cremated. The sun was setting and had lit her room and verandah with a blaze of golden light. We stopped half-way in the courtyard. All over the verandah and in her room right up to where she lay dead and stiff wrapped in the red shroud, thousands of sparrows sat scattered on the floor. There was no chirruping. We felt sorry for the birds and my mother fetched some bread for them. She broke it into little crumbs, the way my grandmother used to, and threw it to them. The sparrow took no notice of the bread. When we carried my grandmother's corpse off, they flew away quietly. Next morning the sweeper swept the bread crumbs into the dust bin.

📚 Comprehensive Difficult Word Meanings (ସମ୍ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ କଠିନ ଶବ୍ଦର ଅର୍ଥ)