For SSLC students, here are the detailed notes and question-answers for C.V. Raman's insightful essay "The Elixir of Life," which highlights the importance of water conservation.
The Elixir of Life
About the Author & Lesson
Sir C.V. Raman (1888–1970): An eminent Indian physicist who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930 for his work on the scattering of light, known as the Raman Effect.
The Lesson: In this essay, Raman emphasizes that while man has sought an imaginary "elixir" or "amrita" to achieve immortality, the real elixir is plain water. He describes how water has shaped the earth's landscape and civilization. The lesson focuses on the beauty of water bodies, the destructive power of soil erosion, and the urgent need for water conservation and afforestation to ensure human welfare and a thriving rural economy.
I. Comprehension Questions (Brief Answers)
Answer: The imaginary elixir of life is the divine amrita, which is believed to make a man immortal.
Answer: According to the writer, plain water is the real elixir of life.
Answer: The "wonderful difference" is between the Libyan desert and the Nile Valley. On one side, there is a sea of billowing sand without a speck of green (the desert), and on the other side, there is a green, fertile, and densely populated area (the Nile Valley in Egypt).
Answer: This difference was brought about by the water of the river Nile flowing down to the Mediterranean from its sources thousands of miles away.
Answer: The 'cheering sight' to the writer is the filled rain-fed tanks that are common in South India.
Answer: The writer compares water in a landscape to the eyes in a human face. Just as eyes reflect the mood of a person, water reflects the mood of the hour—being bright when the sun shines and turning dark and gloomy when the sky is overcast.
Answer: The color of the water comes from the silt or finely divided soil in suspension. This color varies based on the nature of the earth in the catchment area and is most vivid immediately after rain.
Answer: Sudden bursts of excessively heavy rain resulting in a large run-off of surplus water are the principal factors causing soil erosion.
Answer: Contributory causes include the slope of the land, removal of the natural protective coat of vegetation, the existence of ruts along which water can flow rapidly gathering momentum, and the absence of any checks to such flow.
Answer: Soil erosion can be prevented by terracing the land, constructing bunds to check the flow of water, practicing contour cultivation, and planting appropriate types of vegetation.
Answer: Preventing soil erosion also helps to conserve and keep the water where it is wanted—that is, on and in the soil for agriculture.
Answer: Rain and snowfall.
Answer: True.
Answer: 'Civilized forests' are forests created by the deliberate planting of saplings by human beings, as contrasted with wild and untamed natural jungles.
Answer: The development of hydro-electric power would enable underground water to be tapped to a greater extent than at present, helping to overcome difficulties arising from the irregularity of other supply sources.
II. Fill in the Blanks
a. The Nile Valley is the creation of the river itself.
b. Filled rain-fed tanks are a 'cheering sight'.
c. A remarkable feature of water is its power to carry silt or finely-divided soil in suspension.
d. It is the silt which gives the characteristic color to the water in rain-fed tanks.
e. The upper layer of soil is the foundation of all agriculture.
f. Ruts are formed by rapidly flowing rainwater.
g. Terracing of lands helps in preventing soil erosion.
h. Indian agriculture depends heavily on seasonal rainfall.
i. Farmyard manure should not be used as fuel.
j. Availability of electric power would enable the overall development of the rural economy.
III. Close Study (Extracts)
a. In what context does the writer say these words?
Answer: The writer says this while discussing soil erosion and the extreme importance of water conservation for Indian agriculture.
b. What does "same" refer to?
Answer: "Same" refers to the seasonal rainfall in India.
c. Why is Indian agriculture "very sensitive"?
Answer: It is "very sensitive" because it depends on seasonal rainfall and lacks sufficient alternative water sources, making it easily affected by irregular or inadequate rain.
a. What does "they" refer to?
Answer: "They" refers to 'civilized forests' or vegetation like shrubs and trees grown to check soil erosion.
b. What is the cheap fuel referred to in the passage?
Answer: Dried branches and leaves of the trees grown for afforestation.
c. How would cheap fuel help the farmer?
Answer: It would allow the farmer to preserve farmyard manure to enrich his farmland instead of burning it as fuel.
IV. Paragraph Writing (Detailed Answers)
Answer: C.V. Raman illustrates this by comparing the barren Libyan desert with the fertile Nile Valley, where the only difference is the presence of water. He states that water has shaped the history and civilization of the earth. Water bodies like rain-fed tanks add beauty to the countryside and allow agriculture to thrive. Water enriches the soil, and if used judiciously, can generate electricity and provide cheap internal transport. Ultimately, he argues that water is fundamental for human welfare and is the basis of all life—plants, animals, and humans alike.
Answer: Soil erosion is caused by sudden bursts of heavy rain, the slope of the land, the removal of vegetation, and the formation of ruts that allow water to flow rapidly. To prevent it, Raman suggests:
1. Terracing of land.
2. Construction of bunds to check water flow.
3. Practicing contour cultivation.
4. Planting appropriate types of vegetation (afforestation).
Answer: Raman describes rain-fed tanks as a 'cheering sight' in South India. Though they are often shallow, they play a vital role in agriculture. They are surprisingly large in size, and the silt they contain gives the water its characteristic color. He regrets that these tanks are often neglected and emphasizes their importance in the rural economy.