2.2 Nature Created Man and Woman as Equals
Complete textbook exercise solutions — Maharashtra State Board (Balbharati), Grade Eight English.
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Warming Up!
- First set of pictures: In the first picture, a boy is going to school carrying his books, while a girl is doing household chores carrying water pots, which shows gender inequality. In the second picture, both the boy and the girl are going to school together, showing equal opportunity for education.
- Second set of pictures: In the first picture, a woman is cooking while the man is sitting and reading a newspaper. In the second picture, the man is helping with the cooking while the woman is working on her laptop, displaying shared responsibilities and equal professional opportunities.
The pictures that show the boy and girl going to school together, and the man helping with household chores while the woman works on a laptop, reflect gender equality.
- Equality for all, big or small.
- Men and women are equal, let's treat them the same.
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English Workshop
| Given Phrase | Word / Phrase from lesson |
|---|---|
| (a) colours | hues |
| (b) a person who writes for newspapers/magazines | journalist |
| (c) make a difference between | discriminate |
| (d) cry over | laments |
| (e) explain in detail | throw light on |
| (f) abilities and qualities | potential |
| (g) same availability | equal access |
| (h) a person who brings about a social/political change | activist |
- reading-room
- middle-aged
- crystal-clear
- wholeheartedly
- decision-making
(a) Read and write down 5 points which prove that Tomba (Lanthoi's father) firmly believes in gender equality.
- He does not discriminate between a man's work and a woman's work.
- He shares equally with his wife in doing household chores like cleaning, washing, cooking, and feeding the children.
- He wholeheartedly believes in equality irrespective of class, religion, and gender.
- He is a supportive husband who is proud of his wife and her professional success.
- As a lawyer and social worker, he laments over the injustice done to women and actively advocates for women's causes.
(b) In what ways is Ashangbi different from other women of her community?
Ashangbi is a successful professional (a journalist) and a passionate woman's rights activist. She actively writes and talks about gender equality. Unlike women who might be subjugated, she understands her own worth, knows that men and women are equal, and does not see herself as lesser than her husband.
(c) What are the provisions in the Declaration of the United Nations, to ensure equality of men and women?
The United Nations declaration includes dimensions such as equal access to basic social services (including health and education), equal participation in political and economic decision-making, equal reward for equal work, and the elimination of discrimination and violence against women.
| Sentence | Who said? | To whom? | When / why? |
|---|---|---|---|
| "......the world is full of inequalities." | Tomba | Lanthoi | When discussing gender equality and lamenting the great injustice done to women in society. |
| "I want to do something interesting." | Lanthoi | Ashangbi (her mother) | On a Sunday morning when her mother asked if she had finished her studies. |
| "It is against the will of God." | Ashangbi | Lanthoi | While explaining that the subjugation of women in society is wrong because God created men and women as equals. |
| "Our home is full of love......." | Lanthoi | Ashangbi | Upon realizing that her mother is treated equally by her father, making their home a loving environment. |
| "...... we can affirm along with United Nations that men and women are equal." | Ashangbi | Lanthoi | While concluding her explanation about the moral, social, and legal provisions to ensure gender equality. |
- (1) What do you want to do?
What: Interrogative Pronoun | you: Personal Pronoun - (2) It is because of your father that I feel no inequality.
It: Personal Pronoun | your: Personal Pronoun (Possessive) | I: Personal Pronoun - (3) This is what your topic means.
This: Demonstrative Pronoun | what: Relative Pronoun | your: Personal Pronoun - (4) She is fascinated by the small trail, which winds up the mountain.
She: Personal Pronoun | which: Relative Pronoun
I had often noticed that in my neighbour's family, the son was greatly pampered, but the daughter was treated unfairly. I could not bear this. So one day I decided to politely talk to the parents. I visited them in the evening and gently steered the conversation towards the incredible achievements of women in modern times. I shared examples of young girls who had made their parents proud in sports, science, and the armed forces. I explained that when daughters are given the exact same love, education, and opportunities as sons, they can reach equal or even greater heights.
Initially, they were a bit defensive, but over time, they began to seriously reflect on their own daughter's bright academic record and talents. Slowly, they changed their attitude. They started encouraging her studies, bought her the books she needed, and began treating both siblings equally at home. Today, their daughter is a successful doctor working in a reputed hospital, and the parents are incredibly proud of her, often telling everyone how lucky they are to have her.
This is a practical project activity to be done individually or in groups. You can collect quotes, draw posters of outstanding women, and put them up in your classroom.