🧠 Vocabulary Booster (20 words) — सरल हिंदी अर्थ

Read the Word then its Meaning. Try to use 3 in your own sentence! ✍️

📝 Summary (English) — ~250 words

The chapter is presented through two heartfelt letters exchanged by Soumya and Ananda. Soumya narrates her school trip to New Delhi, especially the visit to the National War Memorial (near India Gate; constructed Apr 2018–Feb 2019; inaugurated in Feb 2019). Spread over about 40 acres, the Memorial honours post-Independence martyrs whose names are engraved on about 29,000 tablets (over 26,000 fallen soldiers). She learns about India’s major conflicts—1947–till date, including 1962, 1965, 1971, and 1999 Kargil—and the nation’s highest wartime gallantry awards: Param Vir Chakra (PVC), Maha Vir Chakra (MVC), Vir Chakra (VrC), etc.

The memorial’s design has four concentric circles: Amar Chakra (Circle of Immortality, with the Obelisk and Amar Jawan Jyoti), Veerta Chakra (Circle of Bravery, bronze murals of battles), Tyag Chakra (Circle of Sacrifice, granite tablets with names), and Raksha Chakra (Circle of Protection, symbolic trees). The Amar Jawan Jyoti flame—merged with the old flame from India Gate—glows eternally, reminding citizens of perpetual courage and gratitude.

Soumya is moved by citations of bravehearts like Lance Naik Albert Ekka (PVC) and Major Padmapani Acharya (MVC), and recalls names such as Major Somnath Sharma (first PVC), Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon (PVC), and others. The visit fills her with pride, sadness, and motivation to live a worthy life and to share these stories in school.

In reply, Ananda appreciates Soumya’s sensitivity, reflects on a local memorial visit, quotes “Pushp ki Abhilasha” (Makhanlal Chaturvedi), and expresses a desire to serve the nation. She mentions Captain Anuj Nayyar (MVC) and the National War Memorial & Museum mobile app. Together, the letters celebrate valour, sacrifice, sovereignty, and peace, urging young readers to remember, respect, and draw inspiration from India’s soldiers. 🇮🇳

📝 सारांश (Hindi) — ~250 शब्द

यह पाठ दो मित्रों—सौम्या और अनन्दा—के पत्रों के माध्यम से भावपूर्ण ढंग से राष्ट्रीय युद्ध स्मारक (नई दिल्ली) और हमारे वीर सैनिकों के बलिदान का सम्मान करता है। सौम्या अपने स्कूल-दौरे का अनुभव साझा करती है: यह स्मारक (इंडिया गेट के पास; निर्माण—अप्रैल 2018 से फरवरी 2019; उद्घाटन—फरवरी 2019) लगभग 40 एकड़ में फैला है। यहाँ लगभग 29,000 टैबलेट्स पर 26,000+ शहीदों के नाम स्वर्णाक्षरों में अंकित हैं—1947 के बाद से हुए संघर्षों (1962, 1965, 1971, 1999 कारगिल आदि) के वीरों की याद में।

स्मारक की रूपरेखा में चार वलय/चक्र हैं—अमर चक्र (अमर जवान ज्योति व ओबेलिस्क), वीरता चक्र (कांस्य शिल्प-मुकर्ररियाँ), त्याग चक्र (ग्रेनाइट दीवारें/नाम-फलक), और रक्षा चक्र (सुरक्षा का प्रतीक वृक्ष-पंक्ति)। अमर जवान ज्योति—जो अब यहाँ स्थित है—निरंतर जलती लौ के रूप में शौर्य और अमर स्मृति का बोध कराती है।

सौम्या परमवीर चक्र, महावीर चक्र, वीर चक्र आदि अलंकरणों के बारे में सीखती है; साथ ही लांस नायक अल्बर्ट एक्का (PVC) और मेजर पद्मपाणि आचार्य (MVC) की उद्धरण-पत्र (citation) पढ़कर गहराई से प्रभावित होती है। वह मेजर सोमनाथ शर्मा (प्रथम PVC) तथा निमर्लजीत सिंह सेखों आदि के नाम भी याद करती है। उसे गर्व, करुणा और प्रेरणा का अनुभव होता है तथा वह इन वीर-कथाओं को विद्यालय में बाँटने का निश्चय करती है।

प्रत्युत्तर में अनन्दा स्थानीय स्मारक-यात्रा को याद करती है, “पुष्प की अभिलाषा” का उद्धरण देती है, और राष्ट्र-सेवा की इच्छा व्यक्त करती है। वह कैप्टन अनुज नैयर (MVC) तथा राष्ट्रीय युद्ध स्मारक एवं संग्रहालय ऐप का उल्लेख करती है। समग्र रूप से ये पत्र वीरता, बलिदान, अखंडता और शान्ति का संदेश देते हैं और विद्यार्थियों से आग्रह करते हैं कि वे सैनिकों के प्रति कृतज्ञ रहें, उनसे प्रेरणा लें और कर्तव्य को जीएँ। 🇮🇳

🎯 One-Word Answers (10)

1. Name of the memorial? — WarMemorial
2. City of the memorial? — Delhi
3. Eternal flame’s name? — AmarJawanJyoti
4. Highest wartime gallantry award? — PVC
5. First PVC awardee (1947)? — Somnath
6. Kargil MVC hero mentioned? — Acharya
7. Bronze battle-gallery circle? — Veerta
8. Names-on-tablets circle? — Tyag
9. Protective tree-ring circle? — Raksha
10. Iconic neighbour of the memorial? — IndiaGate

(PVC = Param Vir Chakra)

✍️ Very Short Answer (10) — 2–3 lines

1. Why was the visit planned by the school?
   To learn India’s military history, honour martyrs, and understand the cost of freedom first-hand.
2. What does the eternal flame symbolise?
   The undying spirit and immortal memory of fallen soldiers.
3. How many broad circles does the memorial have?
   Four concentric circles—Amar, Veerta, Tyag, and Raksha.
4. What moved Soumya the most?
   Reading citations like Lance Naik Albert Ekka’s extraordinary courage and sacrifice.
5. Who received India’s first PVC?
   Major Somnath Sharma, for the Battle of Badgam (1947).
6. What is displayed on tablets?
   Names of post-Independence martyrs engraved in golden letters.
7. Which war is linked with 1971 victory?
   The Indo–Pak War of 1971, commemorated by Amar Jawan Jyoti.
8. What did Soumya plan at school after the visit?
   Student presentations and a school assembly share-out on bravehearts.
9. Which app did Ananda mention?
   “National War Memorial & Museum” app, available in many languages.
10. Which poem did Ananda recall?
    “Pushp ki Abhilasha” by Makhanlal Chaturvedi.

🧩 Very Short Answer Type (10) — 2–3 lines, Simple English

1. Why should we visit war memorials?
   They remind us of freedom’s cost, inspire gratitude, and teach us about real courage.
2. What is special about Veerta Chakra?
   It has bronze murals showing brave actions of the Indian Armed Forces.
3. How is the memorial’s lighting meaningful?
   It changes from dawn to dusk, making the site visually powerful and respectful.
4. Why did Soumya feel mixed emotions?
   Pride in bravery, sadness for loss, and motivation to live worthily.
5. Who is Major Padmapani Acharya?
   A Kargil War hero awarded MVC for leadership and supreme sacrifice.
6. What does Raksha Chakra signify?
   Trees symbolize protective cover—our soldiers’ constant guard over the nation.
7. What is the role of citations?
   They record exact acts of gallantry, preserving stories for future generations.
8. What is the main learning from the chapter?
   Honour, remember, and emulate the courage and sacrifice of our soldiers.
9. How does the app help students?
   It provides guided information, murals, and answers in many languages.
10. Why is Amar Jawan Jyoti important?
    Its eternal flame stands for immortal courage and national gratitude.

🧠 Short Answer Type (10) — 3–4 lines, Simple English

1. Describe the purpose of the National War Memorial.
   It honours soldiers who laid down their lives after Independence. With engraved names, murals, and the eternal flame, it keeps their memory alive and teaches citizens the value of peace and freedom.
2. Explain the four circles and their meanings.
   Amar: Immortality of sacrifice; Veerta: bravery murals; Tyag: sacrifice—names on tablets; Raksha: protective ring of trees symbolizing safety ensured by soldiers.
3. What does Lance Naik Albert Ekka’s story teach?
   Selflessness under fire, mission-first mindset, and fearless action against enemy positions even when wounded—true valour.
4. How did the visit change Soumya?
   She felt deep pride and responsibility, planned to spread awareness at school, and aspired to live a life worthy of the soldiers’ sacrifices.
5. Why is remembering gallantry awards important?
   Awards like PVC, MVC, and VrC preserve stories of courage, inspiring the younger generation to serve with integrity and bravery.
6. What did Ananda plan after reading the letter?
   To visit the memorial, use the official app, share ideas with classmates, make a collage of heroes, and even consider joining the Forces.
7. How does the memorial’s design evoke emotions?
   The changing light, solemn spaces, eternal flame, and engraved names create a powerful, respectful, and inspiring atmosphere.
8. What is the significance of merging the old flame?
   Unifying the flame at the War Memorial centralizes national remembrance and honours all martyrs together.
9. How do such visits promote peace?
   By showing the human cost of war, they encourage citizens to value dialogue, harmony, and responsible citizenship.
10. Why does the chapter suit the title?
    It is a heartfelt tribute—through facts, design, and stories—paying homage to brave soldiers and urging students to remember and respect them.