Tea from Assam - First Flight - Class 10 - CBSE English

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About the Author - Tea from Assam | First Flight | Class 10 Literature | CBSE English

Arup Kumar Datta is an Indian author known for his writings in both English and Bengali languages. He was born in 1940 in Chittagong, now part of Bangladesh. Datta completed his education at St. Xavier's College in Kolkata and went on to earn a master's degree in English literature from the University of Calcutta.

Datta has written several novels, short stories, and poems, often exploring themes related to Indian history, society, and culture. His works are known for their nuanced portrayals of characters and their engagement with socio-political issues. Some of his notable works include "Globes and Guns" and "Ferryman of the Ganges."

Summary - Tea from Assam | First Flight | Class 10 Literature | CBSE English

In this chapter, we are introduced to Rajvir and Pranjol, classmates from Delhi. Pranjol's father is the manager of a tea garden in Upper Assam, and Pranjol invites Rajvir to visit his home during the summer vacation. As they embark on their journey, they encounter a vendor selling tea on the train, highlighting the popularity of tea as a beverage worldwide.

During the train ride, Rajvir admires the beautiful scenery, overwhelmed by the lush greenery that Assam has to offer. The landscape transitions from soft green paddy fields to vast expanses of tea bushes, creating a magnificent view against the backdrop of densely wooded hills. Rajvir's excitement at spotting a tea garden is met with Pranjol's casual acknowledgement, emphasizing Assam's reputation as a tea country.

Curiosity about the origins of tea leads Rajvir to share legends. He mentions the Chinese legend of tea's discovery, involving leaves accidentally falling into boiling water and creating a delightful flavour. Rajvir also shares an Indian legend about Bodhidharma, an ancient Buddhist ascetic whose eyelids gave birth to ten tea plants that could banish sleep when their leaves were brewed.

Further conversation reveals that tea has been consumed in China since 2700 B.C., while its introduction to Europe occurred much later in the sixteenth century. Rajvir highlights that tea was initially regarded more as a medicine than a beverage in Europe. The chapter concludes as the train arrives at Mariani junction, and the boys collect their belongings to meet Pranjol's parents, who take them to Dhekiabari Tea Estate.

Upon reaching the tea estate, Rajvir demonstrates his knowledge by mentioning the second flush or sprouting period, which lasts from May to July and yields the best tea. Pranjol's father expresses surprise and acknowledges Rajvir's preparation before the visit. The chapter ends with Rajvir expressing his desire to learn more about tea during his stay in Assam.

Overall, this chapter sets the stage for Rajvir and Pranjol's exploration of Assam's tea country, showcasing the prominence of tea in the region and their growing curiosity about its history and significance.

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Themes - Tea from Assam | First Flight | Class 10 Literature | CBSE English

  1. Friendship and Cultural Exchange:
    The chapter introduces the friendship between Rajvir and Pranjol, who come from different cultural backgrounds (Assam and Delhi). Their friendship bridges the gap between their respective regions and allows for cultural exchange as Rajvir learns about Assam's tea culture and legends.
  2. Significance of Tea:
    The prominence of tea as ...

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Plot - Tea from Assam | First Flight | Class 10 Literature | CBSE English

  1. Introduction and Invitation:
    • Introduces Rajvir and Pranjol as classmates from Delhi.
    • Pranjol invites Rajvir to visit his home in Assam during the summer vacation.
  2. Train Journey and Tea Vendor Encounter:
    • Rajvir and Pranjol board a train to Assam.
    • Vendor's high-pitched...

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Important Lines - Tea from Assam | First Flight | Class 10 Literature | CBSE English

  1. "Chai-garam... garam-chai" - The vendor's high-pitched call for tea highlights the popularity and ubiquity of tea consumption, setting the tone for the chapter's focus on tea as a central theme.
  2. "Do you know that over eighty crore cups of tea are drunk every day throughout the world?" - Rajvir's statement ....

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Back Exercises - Tea from Assam | First Flight | Class 10 Literature | CBSE English

  • Look at these words: upkeep, downpour, undergo, dropout, walk-in. They are built up from a verb (keep, pour, go, drop, walk) and an adverb or a particle (up, down, under, out, in).
    Use these words appropriately in the sentences below.

    1. A heavy has been forecast due to low pressure in the Bay of Bengal.
    2. Rakesh will major surgery tomorrow morning.
    3. My brother is responsible for the of our family property.
    4. The rate for this accountancy course is very high.
    5. She went to the Enterprise Company to attend a interview.

    1. A heavy downpour has been forecast due to low pressure in the Bay of Bengal.
    2. Rakesh will undergo major surgery tomorrow morning.
    3. My brother is responsible for the upkeep of our family property.
    4. The dropout rate for this accountancy course is very high.
    5. She went to the Enterprise Company for a walk-in interview.

  • Now fill in the blanks in the sentences given below by combining the verb given in brackets with one of the words from the box as appropriate. over by through out up down

    1. The Army attempted unsuccessfully to the Government. (throw)
    2. Scientists are on the brink of a major in cancer research. (break)
    3. The State Government plans to build a for Bhubaneswar to speed up traffic on the main highway. (pass)
    4. Gautama’s on life changed when he realised that the world is full of sorrow. (look)
    5. Rakesh seemed unusually after the game. (cast)

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  • Think of suitable -ing or -ed adjectives to answer the following questions. You may also use words from those given above. How would you describe

    1. a good detective serial on television? 
    2. a debate on your favourite topic ‘Homework Should Be Banned’?
    3. how you feel when you stay indoors due to incessant rain?
    4. how you feel when you open a present? 
    5. how you feel when you watch your favourite programme on television? 
    6. the look on your mother’s face as you waited in a queue?
    7. how you feel when tracking a tiger in a tiger reserve forest?
    8. the story you have recently read, or a film you have seen?

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  •  Now use the adjectives in the exercise above, as appropriate, to write a paragraph about Coorg. 

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Tea from Assam - Questions and Answers | First Flight | Class 10 Literature | CBSE English

  • "Chai-garam ... garam-chai," a vendor called out in a high-pitched voice. He came up to their window and asked, "Chai, sa'ab?" "Give us two cups," Pranjol said. They sipped the steaming hot liquid. Almost everyone in their compartment was drinking tea too. "Do you know that over eighty crore cups of tea are drunk every day throughout the world?" Rajvir said. "Whew!" exclaimed Pranjol. "Tea really is very popular." 

    a. Why did Pranjol think that tea is very popular? 
    b. Where were they at this time? 
    c. What did they do thereafter?

    a. Pranjol thought that tea is very popular because almost everyone in their train compartment was drinking tea. The fact that tea was being consumed by a majority of people around them indicated its widespread popularity. Additionally, Rajvir mentioned that over eighty crore (800 million) cups of tea are consumed daily worldwide, which further emphasized the popularity and global reach of tea as a beverage.

    b. They were on a train at the time when the vendor called out and offered them tea. The vendor's high-pitched voice and the interaction through the window imply that they were travelling on a train compartment, possibly during a stop or while the train was in motion.

    c. After sipping the tea, Pranjol got busy engrossed in his detective book, while Rajvir continued to enjoy the scenic views outside the train. 

  • We have an Indian legend too. Bodhidharma, an ancient Buddhist ascetic, cut off his eyelids because he felt sleepy during meditations. Ten tea plants grew out of the eyelids. The leaves of these plants when put in hot water and drunk banished sleep. "Tea was first drunk in China," Rajvir added, "as far back as 2700 BC! In fact words such as tea, 'chai' and 'chini' are from Chinese. Tea came to Europe only in the sixteenth century and was drunk more as medicine than as beverage." 

    a. What is the legend of Bodhidharma? 
    b. What other legends are there? 
    c. What is the difference between a medicine and a beverage?

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  • Pranjol's father slowed down to allow a tractor, pulling a trailer-load of tea leaves, to pass. "This is the second-flush or sprouting period, isn't it, Mr Barua?" Rajvir asked. "It lasts from May to July and yields the best tea." "You seem to have done your homework before coming", Pranjol's father said in surprise. "Yes, Mr Barua", Rajvir admitted. "But I hope to learn much more while I'm here." 

    a. Why did Mr. Barua feel surprised?
    b. How did Rajvir want to spend his stay there? 
    c. Where were they going?

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  • Where were Rajvir and Pranjol going, and why?

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  • “This is a tea country now” Explain with reference to Assam.

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  • Why did Pranjol’s father say that Rajvir had done his homework before visiting Assam?

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  • According to the text, Assam is said to be a 'tea country'. Do you believe that Assam has some of the best tea plantations in the world which makes it a unique place?

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Tea from Assam - Line by line explanation in Hindi | First Flight | Class 10 Literature | CBSE English

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Quiz - Tea from Assam | First Flight | Class 10 Literature | CBSE English

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