Glimpses of India – Coorg

Summary

Lokesh Abrol is a renowned doctor by profession. He established the first multi-specialty hospital in the private sector in Gurgaon. He is also a social worker. He established the first stray cow shelter in Gurgaon. Lokesh Abrol is also an established writer. In this lesson, the author shares his observation of the beautiful place called Coorg.

Comprehension Questions

Answer the following questions in 30-40 words:

1. From whom have the inhabitants of Coorg descended, as per the legend.

As per the legend, a part of Alexander’s army, when retreating from India, went south and settled in Coorg when they found that they could not return home. Then they married among the locals and their descendants are the Kodavus. (People of Coorg).

2. How is the Coorgi tradition of courage and bravery been recognised in modern India?

The Coorgi tradition of courage and bravery has been recognised by awarding the Coorg Regiment with the most number of gallantry awards. Besides, the Coorgis are the only Indians allowed to carry firearms without a license.

3. Describe any two tourist places of Coorg.

The climb of Brahmagiri hills brings into a panoramic view of the entire misty landscape of Coorg. A walk across the rope bridge leads to the 64 acre island of Nisargadhama.

4. Describe Coorg’s weather. When is it most pleasant for the tourists to visit Coorg?

The weather of Coorg is pleasant during the months from September to March. During that time, the weather is perfect with some showers thrown in for good measure. During the monsoon, it receives heavy rainfall.

Answer the following questions in 100-120 words:

1. The Coorgis are the descendants of the Greeks or the Arabs and are still are able to maintain their traditional practices. Do you agree that following these practices today is important? Why or why not?

After reading the text, I feel that it is important to follow the traditional practices, as it has kept the tradition of Coorgis known to the people even today. If the people of Coorg had not followed theit tradition, they would have perished and nobody would have remembered them today because of their cultural and traditional practices. According to the text, their traditions can be seen in the martial traditions, religious rites and marriages. The Kodavus even wear the dress which resembles Arabs. Traditional practices also play a very important role in maintaining values amongst people and have an impact on shaping the behavior of people.

2. How do Coorg’s location, people and natural features add to the diversity of India?

Coorg is beautifully located and described as a piece of heaven that must have drifted from the kingdom of God. It has rolling hillsides with a pollution free river and forests teeming with wildlife. Here nature exists in its pristine glory, which adds to the diversity of India. Further, it has coffee and spice plantations, quite different from the rest of India. The local people, the Kodavus, are a martial race. Of course, they are well known for their hospitality, just like all Indians. All these features of Coorg add to the diversity of our country.

Questions from the text book.
Thinking about the Text (Page 92)

1. Where is Coorg?

Coorg is the smallest district of Karnataka, located midway between Mysore and Mangalore.

2. What is the story about the Kodavu people’s descent?

According to the author, the fiercely independent people of Coorg are possible of Greek or Arabic descent. A part of Alexander’s army moved south along the coast. They settled there when return became impractical. These people married amongst the locals and their culture is evident in the martial traditions, marriage and religious rites, which are distinct from the Hindu mainstream. The Kodavus wear a long, black coat, with an embroidered waist- belt, known as kuppia. It resembles the kuffia worn by the Arabs and the Kurds, hence supporting the theory of their Arab origin.

3. What are some of the things you now know about

(i)the people of Coorg?

Ans: The people of Coorg are fiercely independent. They are of Greek or Arabic descent. They have a tradition of hospitality. They enjoy recounting numerous tales of valour related to their sons and fathers. Kodavus are the only people in India permitted to carry firearms without a license. The author has described the people of Coorg as a proud race of martial men and beautiful women.

(ii)the main crop of Coorg?

Ans: Coffee is the main crop of Coorg. Coffee estates stand tucked under tree canopies in prime corners.

(iii)the sports it offers to tourists?

Ans: The sports that Coorg offers to tourists are river rafting, canoeing, rappelling, rock climbing, mountain biking and trekking.

(iv)the animals you are likely to see in Coorg?

Ans: The animals that one is likely to see in Coorg are birds, bees, butterflies, macaques, Malabar squirrels, langurs, loris, and wild elephants.

(v) its distance from Bangalore, and how to get there?

Ans: The distance between Coorg and Bangalore is around 260 km. There are two routes to Coorg from Bangalore and both are of the same distance. The most frequented route is the one via Mysore. The other route is via Neelamangal, Kunigal, and Chanrayanapatna.

1. 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. You may consult a dictionary.

(i)A heavy downpour has been forecast due to low pressure in the Bay of Bengal.

(ii)Rakesh will undergo major surgery tomorrow morning.

(iii)My brother is responsible for the upkeep of our family property.

(iv)The dropout rate for this accountancy course is very high.

(v)She went to the Enterprise Company to attend a walk-in interview.

2. 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.

(i) The Army attempted unsuccessfully to overthrow the Government.

(ii)Scientists are on the brink of a major breakthrough in cancer research.

(iii)The State Government plans to build a by-pass for Bhubaneswar to speed up traffic on the main highway.

(iv) Gautama's outlook on life changed when he realized that the world is full of sorrow.

(v)Rakesh seemed unusually downcast after the game.

1. Think of suitable −ing or −ed adjectives to answer the following questions.

(i) a good detective serial on television? interesting

(ii) a debate on your favourite topic ‘Homework Should Be Banned’? exciting

(iii) how you feel when you stay indoors due to incessant rain? bored

(iv) how you feel when you open a present? excited

Practice Question 

Q1. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow. 

(a) Midway between Mysore and the coastal town of Mangalore sits a piece of heaven that must have drifted from the kingdom of God. This land of rolling hills is inhabited by a proud race of martial men, beautiful women and wild creatures.Coorg, or Kodagu, the smallest district of Karnataka, is home to evergreen rainforests, spices and coffee plantations. 

i. What is Coorg not known for?

a. evergreen rainforests
b. spices
c. tea plantations
d. coffee plantations 

ii. Where is Coorg situated?
a. midway of Mysore and the coastal town of Bangalore
b. midway of Mysore and the coastal town of Mangalore
c. midway of Mysore and the coastal town of Mysore
d. midway of Mysore and the coastal town of Chennai 

iii. What is the special favour granted only to Kodavus even now?
a. They are permitted to carry firearms without a licence.
b. They are permitted to inhabit any place in India.
c. They are permitted to travel abroad without a passport.
d. They are permitted to vote at the age of fifteen. 

iv. Find a word from the extract which means the same as ‘having to do with war’.
a. coastal
b. inhabited
c. martial
d. rainforests

(b)The climb to the Brahmagiri hills brings you into a panoramic view of the entire misty landscape of Coorg. A walk across the rope bridge leads to the sixty-four-acre island of Nisargadhama. Running into Buddhist monk & from India’s largest Tibetan settlement, at nearby Bylakuppe, is a bonus. 

i. What view is seen from the Brahmagiri hills?
a. misty landscape of Coorg
b. city line of Coorg
c. clean waters of Kaveri river
d. Tibetan settlement near Bylakuppe 

ii. How can we reach the island of Nisargadhama?
a. trekking
b. rafting
c. canoeing
d. walking across the rope bridge

iii. What do the visitors come in search of in Coorg?
a. monuments and artifacts of India
b. heart and soul of India
c. adventure sports of India
d. street food of India 

iv. Find a word from the extract which means the same as ‘view of a wide area of land.’
a. panoramic
b. misty
c. bonus
d. settlement

Q2. Answer the following questions in 30-40 words each. 

(a) Describe the geographical location of Coorg. 

Coorg or Kadagu is the smallest district in Karnataka. It lies between Mysore and the coastal town of Mangalore. This piece of heaven may also be called the land of rolling hills. It is the home of evergreen rainforests, spices and coffee plantations. During the monsoons, Coorg has a lot of rains. 

(b) Describe the climate, birds and animals of Coorg. 

During the monsoons, Coorg has a lot of rains. It pours enough to keep many tourists away. The best tourist season starts from September and continues till March. The very air of Coorg smells of Coffee. Kingfishers, squirrels, langurs, wild elephants, bees and butterflies abound in the rainforests of Coorg. 

(c) Describe the possible descent of the people of Coorg.

 The people of Coorg, their rituals and traditions are quite different from the Hindu mainstream. According to one story a part of Alexander’s army travelling the coast, settled here as their return became impractical. So, they are believed to be of Greek origin. The Coorgi dress, a long, black coat with an embroidered waist-belt resembles the Kuffia worn by the Arabs. So, some think that they are of Arabic origin. 

(d) What is Coorg famous for? What is the best season to visit Coorg?

 Coorg is famous for its coffee plantations, evergreen rainforests and spices Thirty per cent of its area is covered with the evergreen rainforests The best season to visit this place is from September to March. The air is full of coffee flavour.

Q3. Answer the following questions in in 100 -120 words. 

(a) Where is Coorg situated? What is it famous for?

 Coorg is the smallest district of Karnataka. It is known as Kodagu also. Coorg lies between the coastal town of Mangalore and Mysore. It is a very beautiful place. The writer says that it must have come from the kingdom of God. Coorg is famous for its coffee plantations, evergreen rainforests and spices. Thirty per cent of its area is covered with the evergreen rainforests. The best season to visit this place is from September to March. The air is full of coffee flavour.

(b) Why does the author call Coorg apiece of heaven’ that must have drifted from the kingdom of God?
Coorg is among the most beautiful regions of India. The author rightly calls it ‘a piece of heaven’ that must have drifted from the kingdom of God. This land of rolling hills it is also the home of beautiful rain-forests. The rainforests cover more than thirty per cent of Coorg. The evergreen rain forests have a rich flora and fauna. The very air of Coorg breathes of fresh coffee. The beautiful sprawling coffee estates are dotted with colonial bungalows. The river Kaveri obtains its water from the hills and rainforests of Coorg. Kingfishers dive for Mahaseer, a large freshwater fish in these waters. Squirrels and langurs drop partially eaten fruit into the clear water. Elephants enjoy being bathed and scrubbed in the Kaveri by their mahouts. The climb to the Brahmagiri hills gives you a panoramic view of the entire misty landscape of Coorg. The sixty-four-acre island of Nisargadhama is a little paradise for tourists. So are the temples and Buddhist monks wearing red, ochre and yellow robes? All of them represent the heart and soul of India.