Lesson 8 – A Homage to our Brave Soldiers
Bilingual Summary • Writer Info • Original Questions + English & Hindi Answers
Class 7 EnglishHoneycombExam Ready
Original questions © respective textbook/publisher. Quoted verbatim here for
teaching/review under fair use/fair dealing. Answers are original, paraphrased by us (English + Hindi).
Source: NCERT, Honeycomb, Class VII — “A Homage to our Brave Soldiers”.
Source: NCERT, Honeycomb, Class VII — “A Homage to our Brave Soldiers”.
Summary (English)
The lesson is a tribute to India’s soldiers. It introduces the National War Memorial in New Delhi, explains the highest gallantry award—Param Vir Chakra—and shows how the memorial’s Chakras depict a soldier’s journey of duty, courage, sacrifice, and eternal remembrance. Through classroom reflections and letters (like Ananda and Soumya), students feel respect, pride, and motivation to honour soldiers by learning about them, visiting the memorial, and doing projects (apps, collages, presentations) that keep their legacy alive.
सारांश (Hindi)
यह पाठ भारतीय सैनिकों को श्रद्धांजलि है। इसमें नई दिल्ली के नेशनल वॉर मेमोरियल का परिचय, सर्वोच्च शौर्य सम्मान परम वीर चक्र का अर्थ, और स्मारक के चक्रों में सैनिक के कर्तव्य–साहस–बलिदान–शाश्वत स्मरण की यात्रा दिखाई गई है। अनंदा–सौम्या जैसी प्रस्तुतियों/पत्रों के माध्यम से विद्यार्थियों में सम्मान, गर्व और प्रेरणा का भाव पैदा होता है कि वे सैनिकों के बारे में पढ़ें, स्मारक जाएँ और ऐप/कोलाज/प्रेज़ेंटेशन जैसे प्रयासों से उनकी विरासत जीवित रखें।
About the Writer
यह अध्याय देशभक्ति पर आधारित समकालीन पाठ्य-सामग्री की शैली का उदाहरण है—उद्देश्य है विद्यार्थियों में कृतज्ञता, राष्ट्र-सेवा और समाज-निर्माण के मूल्य विकसित करना। लेखक/रचनाकार युद्ध-स्मारकों, वीरता-पदकों और सैनिकों की कहानियों से छात्रों को जागरूक व प्रेरित करते हैं।
Comprehension Check (Original Text)
1. Where is the National War Memorial located and what is its significance?
Answer (English): It stands in New Delhi, India. The memorial honours soldiers who laid down their lives—offering citizens a solemn place to remember their courage and sacrifice.
उत्तर (Hindi): यह नई दिल्ली, भारत में स्थित है। स्मारक शहीद सैनिकों की वीरता और बलिदान को नमन करने का पावन स्थल है जहाँ नागरिक श्रद्धांजलि अर्पित करते हैं।
2. What is the nation’s highest gallantry award?
Answer: Param Vir Chakra—awarded for the most conspicuous bravery or a pre-eminent act of valour/self-sacrifice in the presence of the enemy.
उत्तर: परम वीर चक्र—जो शत्रु के सामने अद्वितीय वीरता/बलिदान के लिए दिया जाता है।
3. What do the walls of Chakras portray?
Answer: They narrate a soldier’s journey—duty, courage, sacrifice and remembrance—through symbolic concentric circles of the memorial.
उत्तर: वे स्मारक के चक्रों के जरिए सैनिक के कर्तव्य, साहस, बलिदान और स्मरण की यात्रा को दर्शाते हैं।
4. Find in the lesson the paragraph/s and the sentence that evoke the feelings given below:
• (i) Feeling of wonder
• (ii) Heartening
• (iii) Sense of motivation
• (iv) Pride
• (v) Visually inspiring
• (vi) Sadness
• (vii) Gratitude
• (viii) Inspiration
Answer (guide):
- (i) Wonder: the scale & design of the memorial.
- (ii) Heartening: unity and courage of soldiers; nation standing together.
- (iii) Motivation: soldiers’ determination encouraging us to be brave/committed.
- (iv) Pride: achievements and honours of soldiers.
- (v) Visually inspiring: vivid description of the Chakras/architecture.
- (vi) Sadness: reflection on sacrifices and lives lost.
- (vii) Gratitude: thankful lines for soldiers’ service.
- (viii) Inspiration: call to honour their legacy through actions (visits, projects).
उत्तर (संकेत):
- (i) आश्चर्य: स्मारक की भव्यता/विस्तार का वर्णन।
- (ii) उत्साहवर्धक: सैनिकों की एकता और साहस।
- (iii) प्रेरणा: सैनिकों का अटूट संकल्प।
- (iv) गौरव: देश के लिए उपलब्धियाँ/सम्मान।
- (v) दृश्य प्रेरक: स्थापत्य/चक्रों का सजीव चित्रण।
- (vi) विषाद: बलिदानों व खोए जीवनों का स्मरण।
- (vii) कृतज्ञता: सेवा के लिए धन्यवाद/आभार।
- (viii) प्रेरणादायी: विरासत को कर्मों से आगे बढ़ाने का आह्वान।
Comprehension Check II (Original Text)
1. Which book does Ananda want to read and why?
Answer: Param Vir: Our Heroes in Battle—because it carries inspiring true stories of Param Vir Chakra awardees and their sacrifices.
उत्तर: Param Vir: Our Heroes in Battle—क्योंकि इसमें परम वीर चक्र विजेताओं की प्रेरक शौर्यगाथाएँ हैं।
2. How did Ananda feel after reading about the National War Memorial?
Answer: She felt deep respect and admiration; the bravery and sacrifices of soldiers moved her emotionally.
उत्तर: उसे गहरा सम्मान व प्रशंसा का भाव हुआ; सैनिकों की वीरता व बलिदान से वह भाव-विभोर हुई।
3. Why was she reminded of the poem Pushp Ki Abhilasha? Ananda was reminded of the
Answer: poem Pushp Ki Abhilasha because it expresses the desire to be useful to the nation,
just as the soldiers have been through their sacrifices.
Answer (clear): The poem voices a wish to serve the nation—mirroring how soldiers dedicate themselves. That idea reminded her of the memorial and sacrifices.
उत्तर: कविता में राष्ट्र-सेवा की तीव्र अभिलाषा व्यक्त होती है—ठीक वैसे ही जैसे सैनिक अपना जीवन राष्ट्र को समर्पित करते हैं। इसलिए उसे यह कविता याद आई।
4. Reading the letter from Soumya, Ananda is inspired to act. What actions does she
intend to take up?
Answer: Visiting the memorial; creating awareness via presentations/app/website; sharing ideas with friends; making a collage; and even considering joining the Army someday.
उत्तर: स्मारक का भ्रमण; प्रेज़ेंटेशन/ऐप/वेबसाइट से जागरूकता; दोस्तों के साथ विचार साझा करना; कोलाज बनाना; और भविष्य में सेना में शामिल होने पर विचार।
5. Fill in the table citing the sentences from the text
Action Sentence from the Text
(i) Visit
(ii) Mobile App
(iii) Sharing Ideas
(iv) Creating a Collage
(v) Joining the Army
(vi) Website
| Action | Sample Sentence (paraphrased from context) |
|---|---|
| (i) Visit | “I will visit the National War Memorial to pay my respects to the brave soldiers.” |
| (ii) Mobile App | “I plan to build a mobile app to help people learn about our soldiers’ sacrifices.” |
| (iii) Sharing Ideas | “I will share these ideas with my friends and encourage them to join me.” |
| (iv) Creating a Collage | “I want to create a collage showing soldiers’ bravery and stories.” |
| (v) Joining the Army | “Someday, I may even join the Army to serve the nation like these heroes.” |
| (vi) Website | “I’m thinking of developing a website dedicated to our brave soldiers.” |
| क्रिया | पाठ-सदृश वाक्य (संदर्भानुकूल) |
|---|---|
| (i) भ्रमण | “मैं नेशनल वॉर मेमोरियल जाकर वीर सैनिकों को नमन करूँगा/गी।” |
| (ii) मोबाइल ऐप | “मैं सैनिकों के बलिदान के बारे में बताने वाला मोबाइल ऐप बनाने का सोच रहा/रही हूँ।” |
| (iii) विचार साझा | “मैं अपने विचार मित्रों से साझा करूँगा/गी और उन्हें भी जोड़ने के लिए प्रेरित करूँगा/गी।” |
| (iv) कोलाज | “मैं सैनिकों की बहादुरी दर्शाने वाला कोलाज बनाना चाहता/चाहती हूँ।” |
| (v) सेना में शामिल | “कभी मैं भी इन नायकों की तरह राष्ट्र-सेवा हेतु सेना में शामिल हो सकता/सकती हूँ।” |
| (vi) वेबसाइट | “मैं हमारे वीर सैनिकों को समर्पित एक वेबसाइट बनाना चाहता/चाहती हूँ।” |
Working with the Text (Original Text)
1. Why are war memorials built?
Answer: To honour and remember soldiers who sacrificed their lives, express national gratitude, educate future generations, and preserve collective memory.
उत्तर: शहीद सैनिकों का सम्मान-स्मरण करने, राष्ट्र की कृतज्ञता व्यक्त करने, नई पीढ़ी को शिक्षित करने और सामूहिक स्मृति सुरक्षित रखने हेतु।
2. Why is it our duty to pay homage to our brave soldiers?
Answer: They risk—and often give—their lives for our security and sovereignty; homage shows respect, keeps their ideals alive, and unites society in gratitude.
उत्तर: वे हमारी सुरक्षा व संप्रभुता हेतु प्राणों तक का बलिदान देते हैं; श्रद्धांजलि देना सम्मान और कृतज्ञता का प्रतीक है तथा उनके आदर्शों को जीवित रखता है।
3. Why is it a good idea to make a presentation in front of the school?
Answer: It spreads awareness, nurtures patriotism, teaches key history, inspires peers to contribute positively, and builds public speaking skills.
उत्तर: इससे जागरूकता बढ़ती है, देशभक्ति का भाव पनपता है, इतिहास सीखते हैं, साथियों को प्रेरणा मिलती है और भाषण-कौशल भी विकसित होता है।
4. Why were the students awestruck and humbled? Explain in your own words.
Answer: Learning about soldiers’ extraordinary courage and selflessness made them realise the depth of sacrifice; they felt profound respect and humility.
उत्तर: सैनिकों के असाधारण साहस और निस्वार्थ बलिदान को जानकर वे उनके प्रति गहरे सम्मान व विनम्रता से भर गए।
5. Complete the table given below. You may have to find the information from the Internet.
Names of the Wars Dates Soldiers Associated
Indo-China War
Indo-Pakistan War
Kargil War
| War | Dates | Soldiers Associated (examples) |
|---|---|---|
| Indo-China War | 1962 | Major Shaitan Singh (PVC) |
| Indo-Pakistan War | 1947–48, 1965, 1971 | Major Somnath Sharma (PVC), Lt Col A.B. Tarapore (PVC) |
| Kargil War | 1999 | Capt Vikram Batra (PVC), Lt Manoj Kumar Pandey (PVC), Rifleman Sanjay Kumar (PVC) |
| युद्ध | तिथियाँ | संबद्ध सैनिक (उदाहरण) |
|---|---|---|
| भारत-चीन युद्ध | 1962 | मेजर शैतान सिंह (PVC) |
| भारत-पाक युद्ध | 1947–48, 1965, 1971 | मेजर सोमनाथ शर्मा (PVC), ले.कर्नल ए.बी. तारापोर (PVC) |
| कारगिल युद्ध | 1999 | कैप्टन विक्रम बत्रा (PVC), ले. मनोज कुमार पांडेय (PVC), राइफलमैन संजय कुमार (PVC) |
Working with Language (Original Text)
1. Find the odd one out from the words given in the box.
Valiant Martyr brave Heroic Courageous
memorial Monument Statue Cenotaph Victory
Gratitude Thankfulness Appreciation Respect Gratefulness
Unique Simple Matchless Exclusive One-off
Answer (with reasons):
- Valiant, brave, Heroic, Courageous, Martyr → Odd: Martyr (noun; others are adjectives/qualities).
- memorial, Monument, Statue, Cenotaph, Victory → Odd: Victory (state/idea; others are structures).
- Gratitude, Thankfulness, Appreciation, Respect, Gratefulness → Odd: Respect (honour; not exactly “thankfulness”).
- Unique, Matchless, Exclusive, One-off, Simple → Odd: Simple (means “easy/plain”; others mean “one-of-a-kind”).
उत्तर (तर्क सहित): क्रमशः Martyr, Victory, Respect, Simple असंगत/भिन्न हैं।
2. Fill in the blanks with appropriate form of the word given in brackets.
The Param Vir Chakra signifies the “Wheel of the Ultimate Brave”, and the award is
granted for “most conspicuous bravery in the presence of the enemy”. The medal
was__________(institute) as a Gallantry Medal with retrospective effect from 15 August
1947 by Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the then President of India. The Medal was______ (design)
by Mrs. Savitri Khanolkar. The designer_________(draw) inspiration from Sage
Dadhichi, a vedic rishi who_________(make) the ultimate sacrifice by giving up his body
so that the gods_______(can) make a deadly weapon________(call) Vajra or Thunderbolt
from his spine.
The medal is cast in bronze. In the centre, on a raised circle, is the state emblem,
_________(surround) by four replicas of Indra’s Vajra are ________(flank). The
decoration is suspended from a straight swivelling suspension bar and is held by a 32 mm
purple ribbon.
Answer (filled):
was instituted … was designed … drew inspiration … who made … so that the gods could make … called Vajra …
… state emblem, surrounded by four replicas of Indra’s Vajra; the replicas are flanked.
was instituted … was designed … drew inspiration … who made … so that the gods could make … called Vajra …
… state emblem, surrounded by four replicas of Indra’s Vajra; the replicas are flanked.
हिंदी संकेत: instituted, designed, drew, made, could, called, surrounded, flanked — यही सही रूप हैं।
3. Match the following words with their meanings.
Word Meaning
(i) territorial integrity (i) safeguarding nation’s borders
(ii) iconic (ii) engraved
(iii) envisioned (iii) grand
(iv) etched (iv) after death
(v) posthumously (v) a tapering stone pillar
(vi) awestruck (vi) visualised
(vii) obelisk (vii) amazed
(viii) majestic (viii) never dying flame
(ix) interminable flame (ix) very brave
(x) valiant (x) safeguarding nation’s borders
Answer (best matches):
- (i) territorial integrity → safeguarding nation’s borders
- (ii) iconic → widely recognised/symbolic (exact option not in list)
- (iii) envisioned → visualised
- (iv) etched → engraved
- (v) posthumously → after death
- (vi) awestruck → amazed
- (vii) obelisk → a tapering stone pillar
- (viii) majestic → grand
- (ix) interminable flame → never dying flame
- (x) valiant → very brave
उत्तर: territorial integrity–सीमा सुरक्षा; iconic–(सूची में सटीक विकल्प नहीं) “प्रसिद्ध/प्रतीकात्मक”; envisioned–visualised; etched–engraved; posthumously–after death; awestruck–amazed; obelisk–tapering stone pillar; majestic–grand; interminable flame–never dying flame; valiant–very brave.
4. Complete the story of an unknown soldier. Replace the words from the box with the
underlined words given in the text below.
touched everyone’s heart, territorial integrity, inspired, fallen soldiers, posthumously,
valour, exemplary courage, awestruck
Answer (completed story):
He was posted at the Indian border to safeguard our territorial integrity. He had been inspired by the hundreds of stories of the fallen soldiers who were celebrated posthumously for bravery. One night as the war intensified, he was asked to take his platoon to the place of action. He displayed exemplary courage and led from the front. All the fellow soldiers were awestruck at his valour, especially as he made the supreme sacrifice without any hesitation. His action touched everyone’s heart.
He was posted at the Indian border to safeguard our territorial integrity. He had been inspired by the hundreds of stories of the fallen soldiers who were celebrated posthumously for bravery. One night as the war intensified, he was asked to take his platoon to the place of action. He displayed exemplary courage and led from the front. All the fellow soldiers were awestruck at his valour, especially as he made the supreme sacrifice without any hesitation. His action touched everyone’s heart.
उत्तर (हिन्दी भावार्थ): वह सीमा पर क्षेत्रीय अखंडता की रक्षा हेतु तैनात था। शहीद सैनिकों की कहानियों से वह प्रेरित था, जिन्हें मरणोपरांत सम्मान मिला। युद्ध तीव्र होने पर उसने अद्वितीय साहस दिखाया; साथी उसकी वीरता देखकर आश्चर्यचकित रह गए। उसके बलिदान ने सबका हृदय छू लिया।
Speaking and Writing (Original Text)
1. Class Discussion on “When there is no dialogue, war begins”:
Answer (points): Dialogue prevents escalation; diplomacy resolves misunderstandings; historic cases show talks’ breakdown precedes conflict; listening builds trust.
उत्तर (बिंदु): संवाद तनाव को बढ़ने से रोकता है; कूटनीति भ्रांतियाँ दूर करती है; इतिहास में वार्ता-विच्छेद के बाद टकराव बढ़ा; सक्रिय सुनना विश्वास बनाता है।
2. Presentation on Poem or Story in Your Mother Tongue about Soldiers’ Sacrifices:
Answer (sample): Present “Sarfaroshi ki Tamanna”—context, poet, 3–4 key lines, meaning, how it honours sacrifice; conclude with 2–3 takeaways for students.
उत्तर (उदाहरण): “सरफ़रोशी की तमन्ना”—पृष्ठभूमि, कवि, 3–4 प्रमुख पंक्तियाँ, अर्थ, बलिदान का सम्मान; अंत में 2–3 सीखें।
3. Preferred Form of Communication (Emails vs. Letters):
Answer: Use emails/WhatsApp for speed and records; letters for personal/emotional touch. Choose medium by purpose—professional vs. heartfelt.
उत्तर: तेज़ व अभिलेख हेतु ईमेल/व्हॉट्सऐप; व्यक्तिगत स्पर्श के लिए पत्र। उद्देश्य के अनुसार माध्यम चुनें—औपचारिक बनाम भावनात्मक।
4. Paragraph on the Army’s Work During Peacetime:
Answer: Readiness at borders, disaster relief (floods/quakes), infrastructure support, medical camps/vaccinations, training drills, aid to civil authorities—ensuring stability and preparedness.
उत्तर: सीमाओं पर तत्परता, आपदा राहत (बाढ़/भूकंप), अवसंरचना सहयोग, चिकित्सा/टीकाकरण शिविर, प्रशिक्षण अभ्यास, नागरिक प्रशासन को सहायता—शांति-काल में स्थिरता व तैयारी।
5. Letter to a Friend on How You Propose to Serve Your Nation:
Answer (sample letter):
Dear Friend,
I plan to serve by protecting the environment—saving water, using public transport, planting trees, and joining local clean-ups. I’ll also run awareness drives in school. What’s your plan? Let’s work together!
Warmly,
—Your Name
Dear Friend,
I plan to serve by protecting the environment—saving water, using public transport, planting trees, and joining local clean-ups. I’ll also run awareness drives in school. What’s your plan? Let’s work together!
Warmly,
—Your Name
उत्तर (नमूना पत्र):
प्रिय मित्र,
मैं पर्यावरण-सुरक्षा के माध्यम से राष्ट्र-सेवा करूँगा/गी—जल बचाना, सार्वजनिक परिवहन अपनाना, वृक्षारोपण और स्थानीय स्वच्छता अभियानों में भाग लेना। स्कूल में जागरूकता फैलाऊँगा/गी। तुम्हारी योजना क्या है? साथ मिलकर करें!
सप्रेम,
—आपका/आपकी नाम
प्रिय मित्र,
मैं पर्यावरण-सुरक्षा के माध्यम से राष्ट्र-सेवा करूँगा/गी—जल बचाना, सार्वजनिक परिवहन अपनाना, वृक्षारोपण और स्थानीय स्वच्छता अभियानों में भाग लेना। स्कूल में जागरूकता फैलाऊँगा/गी। तुम्हारी योजना क्या है? साथ मिलकर करें!
सप्रेम,
—आपका/आपकी नाम