[29/11, 7:31 PM] Anshuman: The Beggar was written by Anton Chekhov which is the story of a poor alcoholic beggar named Lushkoff who used to beg on roads as he was unable to find work. He resorted to begging in order to survive. One day, he met Sergie, a wealthy advocate and asked him for some work. He was wearing a ragged, tanned tattered overcoat and had dull drunken eyes with a red spot on either cheek. He claimed that he had been a school teacher in a village earlier and lost his job due to a conspiracy against him. So, he started begging to feed himself and survive. Sergei immediately recalled that he had seen the beggar on another street, the other day. At that time, he had said that he was a student who had been expelled. The lawyer was filled with disgust and threatened to hand over the beggar to the police for cheating people by telling lies. Hearing this, Lushkoff broke down and admitted that he was lying to people so that they would take pity on him for his condition. He confessed that he used to sing in a Russian choir and was fired for his drinking habit. Hence, he requested Sergie to give him some work so that he could make a living for himself. Sergei asked him if he could chop wood for him at his house. Lushkoff instantly agreed and Sergie hastened and called out his cook, Olga to take the poor man into the wood-shed and let him chop wood. Olga did so as she looked at Lushkoff with contempt. Although he had become very weak due to his drunkenness, he tried chopping wood as instructed. When Sergie looked at him, he felt sorry and ashamed of himself for making the sick man do menial labour in such a cold weather. An hour later, Olga informed that the wood had all been chopped. Sergie ordered her to give Lushkoff half a rouble for his work. Eventually, he would come once in a month to do the work and leave after receiving his wage. Soon, Sergie moved to a new house and employed Lushkoff who was now a sober and courteous fellow, for packing and hauling the furniture. Although he used to shiver in the cold, he did his work properly. Seeing his dedication, Sergie offered him a cleaner employment and asked if he could write. Lushkoff replied in the affirmative and Sergie gave a letter to be sent to a friend where he would need to do some copy work. Lushkoff did so, but he never returned to Sergie’s place. Two years passed and one evening Sergei saw Lushkoff at the ticket counter of a theatre paying for his seat. He was well-groomed and looked sophisticated. Sergie was astonished seeing his transformation and asked about him. Lushkoff replied that he was working as a notary and was paid thirty-five roubles every month. Sergei was happy that he could help Lushkoff become a responsible human being and felt good for showing him the right path. Lushkoff thanked Sergie for his kindness and helping him when he was a mere beggar. Besides, he mentioned that he was more grateful to Olga for her compassionate nature. He revealed that she was the one who used to chop the wood that was assigned to him. Being a kind-hearted lady, she would give away the money to him for the wood-chopping task done by her. Although she would often chide him, she would also weep at his poor condition. She had advised him to give up his alcoholism and was responsible for helping him to mend his ways. Owing to her kind words and noble deeds, Lushkoff had a change of heart. He stopped drinking completely and started working hard to earn his livelihood. She set a right example before him and he said that he would always remain indebted to her for her kindness and cooperation. [29/11, 7:31 PM] Anshuman: Beggar
[12/11, 7:55 PM] Anshuman: Which party had been ruling Haryana since 1982? Ans. The Congress party had been ruling Haryana since 1982. 2. Who was Chaudhary Devilal? Name the party formed by him. Ans. Chaudhary Devilal was an opposition leader. He formed a new party called the Lok Dal, 3. Which promises of Devilal draw in election campaign attracted the people? Ans. He promised to waive the loans of small farmers and small businessmen. 4. What was the result of the elections in Haryana in 1987? Ans. Lok Dal and its partners won 76 out of 90 seats, with Lok Dal alone winning 60 seats. The Cong could win only 5 seats. 5. Why did the Chief Minister resign? Ans. His party lost the elections. Only the leader of the majority party can form a government. 6. Why do we have representatives in most democracies? Ans. In most democracies people rule through their representatives because it is not possible for ever to have time and knowledge to take decisions on all matters. [12/11, 7:55 PM] Anshuman: 21 What is a voters' list? 23. What is the Photo Identity Card System? Ans. Every voter is issued a photo Identity Card by the Election Commission. The voters are requ carry this card when they go out to vote, so that no one can vote for someone else, 24. Anyone who can be a voter can also become a candidate in elections, but there is Ans. In order to be a candidate in election the minimum age is 25 years, while it is only 18 ye What is it? one diffe being a voter. 25. What is a party ticket? Ans. Political parties nominate their candidates who get the party symbol and support. The pa nomination is also called the party ticket. 26. How does a person file his/her nomination papers? Ans. Every person who wishes to contest elections has to fill a nomination form and give some more "security deposit". This is how nomination papers are filed. 27. What are the legal declarations made by every party candidate? Ans. Details of assets and liabilities of the candidate and his or her family and educational qualific of the candidate. 28. Why has personal information of a candidate to be made public? Ans. The personal information of a candidate needs to be made public as it provides an opportun the voters to make their decisions on the of the information provided by the candidates 29. What is the main purpose of election? Ans. It is to give the people a chance to choose the representatives, the government and the policies prefer. 30. Why are election campaigns needed? Ans. The main purpose of elections is to give people a chance to choose their representatives government and the policies they prefer. Therefore it is necessary to have a free and open disco about which is better government or what is a good policy. It is possible during election campaign 31. What is the time period of campaigning for elections? Ans. In our country such campaigns take place for a two-week period between the announcement of final list of candidates and the date of polling. 32. How do the candidates attract the public during election? Ans. Political leaders address election meetings and political parties mobilise their supporters. Campai is also done through newspapers and television. Nowadays, the campaigning is also done th social media. Political parties try to focus public attention on some big issues. 33. Mention any two slogans given by different parties in various elections. Ans. (a) Garbi Hatao (Remove poverty), slogan of the Congress party led by Indira Gandhi in the elections. (b) Save Democracy was the slogan given by Janata Party under the leadership of Jaya Narayan in 1977 Lok Sabha elections.