Q.1: What were the things that the writer longed for?

Ans: The writer yearned for his village, the modest mud house that he resided in, the simple toys that brought him immense joy, and the unburdened people with whom he shared his life.

Q.2: Why did the lanes in the village become slippery during the rainy season?

Ans: The village had no proper roads or streets, only narrow mud lanes, which made them extremely slippery when it rained.

Q.3: Does the writer find contentment in his current life? Why or why not?

Ans: The writer finds dissatisfaction with his present life due to his preference for the simplicity of village life over the comforts of modern life. He feels disenchanted with the artificial aspects of contemporary living.

Q.4: What is the primary reason for the flood problem in most parts of Pakistan during summer?

Ans: Insufficient water management systems result in the overflowing of Pakistan’s rivers during the rainy season, leading to widespread devastation. The dense population, particularly near rivers, exacerbates the problem.

Q.5: What prompted people to construct barrages?

Ans: Due to the rivers flooding during the rainy season and subsequently running dry, people began constructing barrages to capture and store rainwater for future use and to prevent flooding.

Q.6: Do you agree with the idea of building bridges? Why or why not?

Ans: Personally, I believe that instead of bridges, it is more crucial to build additional barrages. While bridges are essential for transportation, given the current circumstances, constructing more barrages to overcome water shortages is vital. Barrages can effectively prevent floods and store rainwater during the monsoon season, ensuring a year-round water supply for agriculture and overall national development.

Q.7: What can you share about the life in the writer’s village?

Ans: The village inhabitants were simple and carefree individuals who enjoyed modest possessions. They lived in small, unpretentious houses made of wood, straw, and mud. The village boasted narrow mud lanes, fostering a peaceful and pollution-free environment.

Q.8: Why were the villagers known for their robust health?

Ans: The villagers maintained good health and strength through their active lifestyle. They walked extensively, sat and slept on the floor, and engaged in hard work from sunrise to sunset, which provided them with regular exercise.

Q.9: What was an “Otaq,” and what activities took place there?

Ans: An “Otaq” referred to the meeting place for men in the village. Men would gather there in the evenings or during leisure time to share news, jokes, gossip, discuss weather, crops, village affairs, and enjoy folk songs sung to the tunes of the ghaghar and tamboora.

Q.10: Where did the village women typically gather and interact?

Ans: The village well served as the gathering place for women. It was the center of their activities, where they shared news, discussed various matters, and enjoyed each other’s company.

Q.11: Why does the author express disdain for new technology in this narrative?

Ans: The author disapproves of new technology due to the belief that modern luxurious lifestyles have negatively impacted people’s health. The availability of technology and devices has led to increased social distance, replacing human interaction. Therefore, the author holds a negative view of new technology.

Q.12: What is a barrage, and what are its benefits? Why are they constructed?

Ans: A barrage is a barrier constructed across a river, equipped with gates to regulate the flow of water. Barrages have multiple benefits, including flood control and water retention for irrigation through canals, thereby protecting lives and properties and providing a sustainable water supply for agriculture. Barrages are constructed to address the challenges of maintaining a consistent water supply and mitigating the destructive effects of floods.

Q.13: What advantages does the Guddu Barrage offer?

Ans: The Guddu Barrage, one of Pakistan’s largest barrages built on the Indus River, provides the following benefits:

(i) It can accommodate a flood of approximately 1.2 million cusecs.

(ii) The barrage irrigates an extensive area of 2.7 million acres, primarily in the Sukkur and Jacobabad districts of Sindh.

(iii) Grain output is expected to increase by half a million tons.

(iv) It has reduced the travel distance between Lahore and Quetta, as well as Rahim Yar Khan and Kashmore.

Q.14: What is the canal system associated with the Guddu Barrage, and which regions benefit from it?

Ans: The Guddu Barrage has three primary canals, among the largest feeder canals globally. The Bigari Sindh Feeder and the Desert Pat Feeder are situated on the right bank, while the Ghotki Feeder is on the left bank of the Indus River. This system primarily irrigates vast areas in the Sukkur and Jacobabad districts of Sindh, along with some regions in the Kalat division of Baluchistan province.

Q.15: Why were ancient towns often located near rivers?

Ans: In ancient times, when roads and railways were not yet established for trade, rivers served as vital transportation routes. Therefore, most towns were strategically built near rivers, which not only facilitated trade but also provided a water source for irrigation.

Q.16: What are the two challenges posed by rivers, and how are they addressed?

Ans: Rivers present two main challenges: ensuring a consistent water supply throughout the year and mitigating the destructive force of floods. Barrages offer a solution to these challenges by storing water and regulating its flow, thereby providing controlled water supply for irrigation and protecting against floods.

Q.17: Provide a brief overview of the Guddu Barrage.

Ans: The Guddu Barrage, situated on the Indus River, is one of the largest barrages in Pakistan. Spanning a width of fourteen kilometers, it is designed to channelize the water spread over this distance through a narrow barrage, approximately one kilometer wide. The barrage extends for 1,355 kilometers and has the capacity to handle a flood of about 1.2 million cusecs. It comprises three main canals, including the Began’ Sindh Feeder, Desert Pat Feeder (on the right bank), and Ghotki Feeder (on the left bank). The barrage serves the irrigation needs of 2.7 million acres, primarily in the Sukkur and Jacobabad districts of Sindh, as well as some areas in the Kalat division of Baluchistan province. Its construction involved the tireless efforts of over 5,000 engineers, technicians, and laborers, and it became operational on February 4th, 1962.