Questions from the portion While we read are given below. You can find a detailed Malayalam explanation of this chapter on my Youtube Channel.

a. Why do you think Gandhiji was considered the spiritual ambassador of India?

Spiritual teachers of ancient India always expounded Ahimsa or Non-violence. Gandhiji was considered the spiritual ambassador of India because he was a strong advocate or Ahimsa.

b. What, according to Gandhiji, is true bravery?
According to Gandhiji, to kill and to be killed in fighting an enemy are certainly acts of bravery but to stand the blows of your adversaries without retaliating is the true bravery.

c. What is Gandhiji’s view of education?

According to Gandhiji, real education does not mean memorising facts and figures or passing examinations by reading numerous books. Rather it is the process of building character.

d. What merit did Gandhiji see in Chaplin?
The biggest merit that Gandhiji saw in Chaplin was that Chaplin came from the people, lived for the people and made millions of people laugh. Hence, he agreed to meet Chaplin.

e. What, according to Gandhiji, are the areas in which a nation has to be self-reliant?

According to Gandhiji, a nation has to be self-reliant in food and cloth.

f. How did Gandhiji correct various notions about Indian women?
While addressing the Women’s India Council in Morley College Hall, Gandhiji vividly presented the heroic role Indian women played during the freedom struggle. He said that there were no hindrances that stopped women from entering public life. When the British government declared organisations fighting for India’s independence illegal and imprisoned those in charge of these organisations, he said that it was the women who came to the forefront and filled the jails.

g. Comment on the contributions of Indian women to the freedom struggle.

Indian women took part in processions, defied the law and bore the lathi blows without retaliating. It was not only learned women but tens of thousands of illiterate women also took part in India’s freedom struggle. They followed the path of Ahimsa and stood unflinchingly when the police hit them with lathis.

h. What is Gandhiji’s concept of Indian independence?
Gandhiji wanted independent India to be a country where no one would be exploited based on their race or other factors. He believed that freedom is not a gift from one nation to another nation. Rather it is the fundamental right of every nation.

Questions from the section Let’s rewind

Complete the table below:

According to Gandhiji

Non voilence is	not the weapon of the weak the weapon of the strongest not the strength of the muscle; rather it is the strength of the heart
Real education is	not learning facts and figures not passing examinations reading numerous books the building of character

2. What is Gandhiji’s message of non-violence to the youth?
Gandhiji tells the youth that non-violence is not the weapon of the weak; rather, it is the weapon of the strong. To follow the path of non-violence, a person does not require muscle power; however, they must have a strong heart and good character.

3. Gandhiji is of the opinion that real education caters to the development of one’s character. How far is this true of yourself? Explain based on your own experience.
According to Gandhiji, education is useless if it does not cater to the development of a person’s character. I fully agree with this view. If education does not make us good human beings by inculcating in us values such as honesty, integrity, courage and empathy, we cannot be of any use to the society. My parents and teachers have always taught me that being a good human being is more important that becoming successful in life by passing competitive exams. While I do believe in learning my lessons to pass examinations, it is not my ultimate goal in life. I want to be a useful member of the society by contributing to all aspects of its development – economical, social, cultural, and spiritual.

4. What is Gandhiji’s justification for using the spinning wheel?
Gandhiji believes that a nation should be self sufficient in food and cloth. The majority of Indians depend on agriculture for their livelihood but this sector does not offer employment throughout the year. The agricultural season does not last more than six months and during the other months families depending on agriculture do not have any source of income. The spinning wheel will keep them employed during those months when no farming activity takes place. Hence, Gandhiji promoted the use of the spinning wheel.

5. Describe the meeting between Gandhiji and Chaplin.
Gandhiji did not know who Chaplin was but when he learned about Chaplin’s background and his work, he readily agreed to meet him. During their meeting Chaplin asked him why he was against machinery and why he promoted the use of the spinning wheel. Gandhiji replied that the spinning wheel would keep Indians employed during those months when farming related jobs are not available.