Sushovan Pal

Birbal's Priceless Portrait In the city of Agra, under the rule of Emperor Akbar, there was a renowned artist named Ravi. Ravi's paintings were so lifelike that they seemed to come alive on the canvas. One day, he painted a portrait of Emperor Akbar that was so astonishingly realistic that it left everyone in awe.   News of Ravi's masterpiece reached Emperor Akbar, and he summoned the artist to the royal court. As Akbar gazed upon the portrait, he was amazed by its lifelike portrayal. Impressed by Ravi's skill, the emperor decided to reward him with a bag of gold coins.   Just then, Birbal, who was known for his quick wit, stepped forward. He addressed the emperor, "Your Majesty, the portrait is indeed exceptional, capturing your majesty's essence. However, I have a question. How much is this portrait worth?"   Emperor Akbar thought for a moment and replied, "I would say it's worth a thousand gold coins."   Birbal smiled a...

 MARIE CURIE  A.     Fill in the blanks 1.      Marie was called Manya at home. 2.      Marie was only three and a half years old when she could read fluently and effortlessly. 3.      Marie’s mother was the head mistress of a girls school. 4.      When Marie was very young uncle came to stay with them. 5.      During her childhood, Poland was occupied by Russian forces.   B. reference to the context 1. “…a disease that spreads….sneezes.” a. which disease is being reffered to? Ans:- Tuberculosis disease is being reffered to here. b. who was the somebody gave the infection to Marie’s mother? Ans:-Marie’s maternal uncle ‘wladyshaw’ gave the infection to Marie’s mother. c. what else is it about the disease? Ans:- This disease was incurable. It spreads mainly through the air.   2. “ after is such ordeal…Tupalska.” a. what...

  The Darkling Thrush BY THOMAS HARDY   "I leant upon a coppice gate"   The speaker is describing a scene where they are leaning on a gate that is situated within a coppice. A coppice is an area of woodland where trees are periodically cut back to stimulate growth. "When Frost was spectre-grey,"   The time being described is when it's very cold, likely during winter. The word "spectre-grey" suggests that the coldness of the frost has a ghostly or eerie quality, creating a somewhat ominous atmosphere. "And Winter's dregs made desolate"   The remnants or last part of winter are being referred to as "Winter's dregs." This could imply that it's the end of the winter season. "Made desolate" indicates that the surroundings or environment are bleak and empty. "The weakening eye of day."   This phrase metaphorically refers to the sun as it is setting or approaching sunset. The sun...

  Night Mail W.H. AUDEN "This is the night mail crossing the Border," The poem begins by introducing the subject, which is the night mail train crossing a border, indicating that the train is traveling from one place to another, possibly between countries.   "Bringing the cheque and the postal order," The train is bringing both checks (cheques) and postal orders, suggesting that it's transporting financial transactions and communications.   "Letters for the rich, letters for the poor," The train carries letters for people from various socioeconomic backgrounds, emphasizing its role in connecting different sections of society.   "The shop at the corner, the girl next door." The mail on the train includes items destined for small local shops as well as for ordinary individuals, emphasizing the wide range of recipients.   "Pulling up Beattock, a steady climb:" The train is ascending a slope at Beattock, main...

  Life Sketch of Dr. S. Radhakrishnan:   Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was born on September 5, 1888, in a small village called Tiruttani in the Madras Presidency of British India (now in Tamil Nadu, India). He hailed from a modest Brahmin family. Radhakrishnan displayed exceptional academic prowess from a young age and went on to receive his education at prestigious institutions such as Madras Christian College and the University of Oxford. He completed his MA in Philosophy and went on to teach at various institutions in India and abroad.   Radhakrishnan's deep interest in philosophy led him to become a prominent philosopher and scholar. He authored several influential books on Indian philosophy and religion, which played a crucial role in introducing Indian thought to the Western world. His work "The Philosophy of Rabindranath Tagore" is particularly noteworthy. He advocated for the understanding of Indian philosophy as a contemporary and valid intellectual tradi...

  Transport in India: Development of Road, Rail, Water, and Air Routes   Introduction: Transportation plays a pivotal role in a country's economic and social growth. India's diverse geography and culture make a well-developed transportation network essential for its progress.   Road Transport: The history of road networks in India traces back to ancient trade routes. The National Highways, State Highways, and rural roads form a crucial web connecting regions. Expressways have significantly reduced travel time and boosted trade. However, challenges like congestion, maintenance, and environmental concerns persist.   Rail Transport: The Indian Railways has a rich history and has played a vital role in connecting distant regions, driving industrialization, and contributing to the GDP. Different types of trains, including passenger and freight, serve various purposes. High-speed rail projects promise to revolutionize connectivity. Despite its success, sa...