Chandraprabha Saikiani | Class 8 | English (SCERT)
Lesson : 8
CHANDRAPRABHA SAIKIANI
(চন্দ্রপ্রভা শইকীয়া)
Page No. : 100
Biography Of Chandraprabha Saikiani
Born on 16 March Chandraprabha Saikiani was a social reformer from Assam who tried to remove the taboos faced by herself and other women of her days. She fought to make formal education available for girls. Chandraprabha Saikiani born and brought up in Doisingari Village in Kamrup District. Her journey of a lifetime to rid society of all the taboos against women that prevailed during those days started when she and her sister Rajaniprabha did not mind wading through mud to attend a school that only had boys.
During her school days, she realized that girls had to fight a battle to receive an education as good as that received by boys. Therefore she decided to gather other girls from her village and teach them that she had learned during the day at school. Her effort greatly impressed Nilkanta Barua(School Sub-Inspector). She and her sister were awarded a scholarship to study at Nagaon Mission School. There she made the best of her school education.
In 1925, Chandraprabha Saikiani challenged the prevailing custom of women sitting behind a bamboo screen in public meetings. In the same year Assam Sahitya Sabha was held, where she delivered a very powerful speech and demanded the removal of the bamboo screen that was placed between men and women.
In the year 1926, at her initiative the first women's organization, "Assam Pradeshik Mahila Samiti" was formed. She was greatly affected by the deep-rooted caste system in India. In her own state, Assam, she took matters in her own hands. One of such radical steps was to fight for the entry of everyone, irrespective of caste, gender, and class into the famous Hayagriva Madhava Temple at Hajo.
In 1921, she met Mahatma Gandhi and joined the freedom movement. She was imprisoned thrice. Nothing could dampen her indomitable patriotic spirit. Whenever she saw any injustice, her rebellious spirit rose to the occasion.
This great freedom fighter spread the message of her mission also through a number of books. The Padma Shri was conferred upon her a few days after her death in 1972. Apart from this great honor, she was also remembered with a commemorative postal stamp in 2002.
Word Meaning (শব্দাৰ্থ) :
Taboos (ট্যাবুস) - নিষেধ।
Reformer (রিৰ্ফরমার) - সংস্কারক।
Eagerness (ঈগাৰ্নেস) - আগ্রহ।
Battle (ব্যাটেল) - যুদ্ধ।
Scholarship (স্কলারশিপ) - ছাত্রবৃত্তি।
Christianity (খৃস্টানিটি) - খ্রীষ্টধর্ম।
Vehemently (ভেহেমেণ্টলি) - তীব্রভাবে।
Opposed (অপ্পোসড্) - বিরোধী / বিপরীত।
Compelled (কম্পেল্ড) - বাধ্য করা।
Custom (কাস্টম) - প্রথা।
Protest (প্রটেস্ট) - প্রতিবাদ।
Norms (নৰ্মস) - বিধি / নিয়ম।
Radical (রেডিকেল) - ভিত্তিগত।
Boycott (বয়কট) - বর্জন / অসহযোগ।
Untouchability (আনটাছেবিলিটি ) - অস্পৃশ্যতা।
Opium (ওপিয়াম) - আফিম / ড্ৰাগ।
Imprison (ইম্প্রিজন) - বন্দী করা।
Indomitable (ইনডমিটেবল) - অদম্য / দুর্দম।
Rebellious (রিবেলিয়াস) - বিদ্রোহী / অবাধ্য।
Mission (মিশন) - উদ্দেশ্য।
Conferred (কনফারড) - অর্পিত / প্রদত্ত।
Commemorative (কমেমোরেটিভ) - স্মৃতিরক্ষাকর / স্মারক।
Eliminate (এলিমিনেইট) - নিষ্কাশন করা।
Evil (ইভিল) - খারাপ / অসৎ।
Resist (রেসিস্ট) - প্রতিহত করা।
Impose (ইম্পোস) - আরোপ করা।
Freedom fighter (ফ্রিডম ফাইটার) - মুক্তিযোদ্ধা
Complement (কমপ্লিমেণ্ট) - পূরক।
Patriotic (পেট্রিওটিক ) - স্বদেশপ্রেমী।
Discrimination (ডিস্ক্রীমিনেশন) - বিভেদ।
Treaty ( ট্রিটী)- চুক্তি / সন্ধিপত্র।
Ratified (রেটিফাইড) - অনুসমর্থন করা।
Concrete (কংক্রীট) - বাস্তব।
Fundamental (ফান্ডামেণ্টাল) - প্রাথমিক।
Stereotype (স্টিরিওটাইপ) - অপরিবর্তনীয়।
Implement (ইমপ্লীমেণ্ট) - কার্য্য পরিণত করা।
Eradicate (ইরাডিকেট) - উন্মুলিত করা।
Skit (স্কিট) - লঘু উপহাস।
Slogan (স্লোগান) - নীতিসুচক বাণী।
Feticide (ফেটিচাইড) - ভ্রূণহত্যা।
ACTIVITIES
1. Answer the following questions from the lesson to check your comprehension:
(a) Who was ChandraprabhaSaikiani?
Answer:- Chandraprabha Saikiani was a renowned social reformer from Assam, who fought to make formal education available for girls.
(b) What did Chandraprabha do to educate the girls of her village?
Answer:- When Chandraprabha Saikiani was studying in school she gathered other girls of her village and taught them what she learnt at school.
(c) Which two incidents show us how Chandraprabha fought for the rights of girls?
Answer:- The two major incidents which show us how Chandraprabha fought for the rights of girls are:
(i) When she was refused admission into a hostel without being converted to Christianity, she opposed strongly and the authorities were compelled to allow her admission.
(ii) In 1925, she challenged the custom of women sitting behind a bamboo screen in public meetings.
(d) On what occasion did Chandraprabha Saikiani inspire women to come out from behind the bamboo screen?
Answer:- Chandraprabha Saikiani gave a very powerful speech and demanded the removal of the bamboo screen in the Assam Sahitya Sabha session held in 1925 at Nagaon district.
Or, / অথবা,
In 1925, Chandraprabha Saikiani raised a bold voice against the prevailing custom of women sitting behind a bamboo screen in public meetings. She raised this issue in the Assam Sahitya Sabha session held that year in Nagaon.
(e) What steps did Chandraprabha take to eliminate the caste system?
Answer:- Chandraprabha Saikiani was greatly affected by the deep rooted caste system in India as well as her own state Assam. She wanted to Abolish such rules from the society, so she fought for the entry of every one, irrespective of caste, gender and class, into the famous HayagrivaMadhava temple at Hajo in Assam.
Or, / অথবা,
Chandraprabha Saikiani, in order to eliminate the caste system, fought for the entry of everyone irrespective of caste, gender, and class, into the famous Hayagriva Madhava Temple at Hajo.
(f) What was Chandraprabha Saikiani’s role in the freedom movement of India?
Answer:- She was greatly inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s freedom movement so she spread the message of Khadi, boycott of foreign cloths, removal of untouchability, banning of opium and other social evils.
2. Work in pairs and complete the following sentences with information from the lesson:
(a) At a time when society did not allow young girls to step out of home, she fought
______________________________________________________________________
Ans:- At a time when society did not allow young girls to step out of home, she fought for the equal rights of the girls.
(b) In those days girls’ schools did not exist, so Chandraprabha _________________ ___________________________________
Ans:- In those days girls’ schools did not exist, so Chandraprabha Saikiani went to the boys’ school and after school she taught other girls in her village what she learnt at school.
(c) Chandraprabha and her sister were awarded_______________________________________________________________
Ans:- Chandraprabha and her sister were awarded a scholarship to study in Nagaon Mission School.
(d) In order to eliminate the evils of the caste system, Chandraprabha fought for the entry of_________________________ ______________________________________________________________________
Ans:- In order to eliminate the evils of the caste system, Chandraprabha fought for the entry of every one, irrespective of caste, gender and class, into the famous Hayagriva Madhava temple at Hajo.
(e) Being inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, Chandraprabha______________________ ______________________________________________________________________
Ans:- Being inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, Chandraprabha joined the freedom movement and spread the message of khadi, boycott of foreign cloths, removal of untouchability, banning of opium and other social evils.
3. Read the following sentences and find a word from the text to replace the underlined part.
(a) Chandraprabha Saikiani was a famous and respected social worker from Assam.
Answer:- renowned (রিনাওন্ড)
(b) She tried to get rid of all the cultural or religious restrictions against women that prevailed during those days.
Answer:- taboos (টাবুঁস)
(c) Chandraprabha refused to accept and questioned the prevailing custom of women sitting behind bamboo screens in public meetings
Answer:- Challenged (চ্যালেঞ্জড)
(d) She was strong in her attitude against society’s restriction and her protest against the norms of society was not confirmed to be a particular incident.
Answer:- staunchly (স্টাঞ্চলী)
(e) Whenever she saw any injustice, her desire to resist authority rose to the occasion.
Answer:- Rebellious Spirit (রিবেলিয়াস স্পিরিট)
4. Listen to your teacher read out the first paragraph of the lesson. As you listen, complete the table below with information about Chandraprabha Saikiani:
Answer:-
Chandraprabha Saikiani - A renowned social reformer from Assam.
Birth ----- 16 March 1901
Father ----- Ratiram Mazumdar
Mother ----- Gangapriya
Sister ----- Rajaniprabha Saikia
School ----------- A school which only had boys.
5. There are seven paragraphs in the lesson Chandraprabha Saikiani. Choose the appropriate description for each paragraph.
(a) The first paragraph is about:
(i) Chandraprabha Saikiani's childhood
(ii) Chandraprabha Saikiani’s birth as the social reformer
(iii) Chandraprabha Saikiani's career as a school teacher
Ans: (ii) Chandraprabha Saikiani’s birth as the social reformer.
(b) The second paragraph is about:
(i) Chandraprabha Saikiani's preparation to be a school teacher
(ii) Girl's education vs boy's education
(iii) Chandraprabha Saikiani’s efforts to get an education just like the boys of her village.
Ans: (iii) Chandraprabha Saikiani’s efforts to get an education just like the boys of her village.
(c) The third paragraph is about:
(i) her fight for freedom
(ii) her fight for the rights of girls
(iii) her fight against British rule
Ans: (ii) her fight for the rights of girls.
(d) The fourth paragraph is about:
(i) formation of Assam Pradeshik Mahila Samiti.
(ii) Chandraprabha Saikiani’s protest against restrictions imposed on women.
(iii) Chandraprabha Saikiani’s speech at the Assam Sahitya Sabha meeting.
Ans: All of the above
(e) The fifth paragraph is about:
(i) the caste system of India.
(ii) Chandraprabha Saikiani’s visit to Hajo.
(iii) Chandraprabha Saikiani’s protest against the caste system
Ans: (i) the caste system of India, and (iii) Chandraprabha Saikiani's protest against the caste system
(f) The sixth paragraph is about:
(i) Chandraprabha Saikiani’s meeting with Mahatma Gandhi.
(ii) Chandraprabha Saikiani as the freedom fighter.
(iii) the punishment Chandraprabha Saikiani received for being a freedom fighter.
Ans: All of the above
(g) The seventh paragraph is about:
(i) Chandraprabha Saikiani's rebellious spirit
(ii) Chandraprabha Saikiani's imprisonment
(iii) Chandraprabha Saikiani's motivation to join the freedom movement
Ans: None of the above
7. Let’s learn some grammar:
Now practice using the to-infinitive. Combine these sentences by using to-infinitives. The first one is done for you-
(a) I will visit the book fair. I will buy a few novels.
Answer:- I will visit the book fair to buy a few novels.
(b) We are going to Puri Tomorrow. We will visit the Jagannath Temple there.
Answer:- We are going to Puri to visit the Jagannath Temple.
(c) She started a small school for girls. She would help them to overcome the taboos against women.
Answer:- She started a small school for girls to help them to overcome the taboos against women.
(d) She delivered a very powerful speech. She demanded the removal of the prevailing customs of women sitting behind bamboo screens.
Answer:- She delivered a very powerful speech to remove the prevailing customs of women sitting behind bamboo screens.
(e) She and her sister were awarded a scholarship. They will study in Nagaon Mission School.
Answer:- She and her sister were awarded a scholarship to study in Nagaon Mission School.
8. You must have come across English words which have different forms. One word can be used to form several other words, and such words usually go to a different word class. For example, look at the following word web where you will see different forms of the word beauty.
👇
Beauty (Noun)
Beautify (Verb)
Beautiful (Adjective)
Now complete the word web with other forms of the words given in each web below:
Time (Noun) Eagerness (Noun)
Timed (Verb) Eagered (Verb)
Timely (Adjective) Eager (Adjective)
Rebellion (Noun)
Rebel (Verb)
Rebellious (Adjective)
Movement (Noun)
Move (Verb)
Moveable (Adjective)
Patriot (Noun)
Patriotize (Verb)
Patriotic (Adjective)
Education (Noun)
Educated (Verb)
Educational (Adjective)
9. (b) Now that you have learnt about Chandraprabha Saikiani and the norms of society women had to follow, choose any one of the topics below and write a short essay. You can work in small groups.
(i) Chandraprabha Saikiani as a social reformer.
(ii) The different challenges that women faced during the time of Chandraprabha Saikiani.
(iii) Chandraprabha Saikiani fought a hard battle for herself and her younger sister in order to receive an education as good as the one the boys in her village were receiving.
Answer: (i) Chandraprabha Saikiani as a social reformer.
Introduction: Chandraprabha Saikiani was a renowned social reformer from Assam. She especially worked for the availability of education for girls in Assam. She was born on 16 March 1901 at Doisingari village in Kamrup district Assam. Her father's name was Ratiram Mazumdar and mother was Gangapriya.
Childhood and school: She spent her childhood in her village Doisingari. She had a sister named Rajaniprabha. Those days girls were not allowed to go school, only boys could go to school. Chandraprabha and her sister were so eager to study. So they had broken all the rules and went to school many kilometres away from their home with great effort. Not only that, after school, Chandraprabha and her sister gathered other girls of her village and started teaching them.
Life’s work: From her childhood she introduced herself as a social reformer as she taught the girls of her own village. Her efforts greatly impressed the school sub inspector of her area and her sister was awarded a scholarship to study in Nagaon Mission School. But in those days girls weren’t admitted into the hostel unless they converted to Christianity. She vehemently opposed this and the school authorities were compelled to allow girls of all religions to avail the hostel facilities.
Lack of school education is not only the single problem but also many problems girls faced in those days. Another custom was prevailing that time was that the girls had to sit behind a bamboo screen in public meetings. Chandraprabha was against that kind of custom. She protested it publicly. In 1925 the Assam Sahitya Sabha session was held at Nagaon district, she delivered a powerful speech and demanded the removal of the bamboo screen that was placed between men and women. The next year, at her initiative, the first women’s organisation, ‘Assam PradeshikMahilaSamiti’ was formed.
ChandraprabhaSaikiani was greatly affected by the deep rooted caste system in India. In her own state, Assam, she took matters into her own hands. One of such radical steps was to fight for the entry of every one, irrespective of caste, gender and class, into the famous Hayagriva Madhava temple at Hajo.
In 1921, she met Mahatma Gandhi and she was inspired to join the freedom movement. She spread the message of Khadi, boycott of foreign clothes, removal of untouchability, banning of opium and other social evils. From 1930 onwards she immersed herself in the freedom movement. She was imprisoned thrice, in 1931, 1942 and in 1943. Nothing could dampen her indomitable patriotic spirit. Whenever she saw any injustice, her rebellious spirit rose to the occasion. She had written many books in support of women’s rights and equal social status in society.
Conclusion: One of the great social reformers of Assam as well as India passed away on 16 March 1972. She was the pioneer of the feminist movement in Assam. She was conferred the fourth highest Indian civilian award of Padma Shri in 1972 after her death. Apart from this great honour, she was also remembered with a commemorative postal stamp in 2002. Her contribution to our society will not be forgotten forever.
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