Ila Sachani: Embroidering Dreams with Her Feet Textbook Questions (NCERT Solutions)
Let us do these activities before we read.
1. Look at the given picture and information. Discuss the questions with your teacher and classmates.
(a) Do you think Pranav’s task is simple? Why or why not?
(b) How does Pranav’s special ability make you feel?
(c) What qualities do you think were important for Pranav to become successful?
(d) What message does Pranav’s story give us?
Ans.
(a) Pranav’s task isn’t simple as normal people aren’t able to succeed in sports; being physically challenged, he is excelling in this field.
(b) Pranav’s special abilities are inspiring. With his skills, he has gained respect and admiration in the eyes of others.
(c) He inspires others to be determined and adaptable to succeed in life.
(d) We should overcome our limitations and be determined to fulfill our goals. His resilience and determination are truly inspiring.
2. Look at the picture of Kathiawar embroidery. Discuss in pairs.
(a) List the steps you think are needed to create this embroidery.
(b) Discuss if these steps can be done with feet, instead of hands.
(c) What efforts would be needed if someone has to embroider with their feet? Do you think it is possible?
Ans.
(a)
- Draw a peacock on the fabric.
- Secure the fabric on the hoop
- Start sewing using the colorful thread.
- Tie the thread on the other side of the design.
- Once done, take off the hoop and press the fabric.
(b) Yes, the person needs to be an expert in the skill as it’s a challenging task to fulfill.
(c) Training, practicing, patience, determination, and adaptation are the efforts and skills a person would require to do embroidery with their feet.
Let us discuss
Read the paragraphs and write the main idea for each. Then, match the main idea with two supporting details.
| Paragraph | Main idea | Two supporting details |
| 1 | Introduction to Ila Sachani’s colourful embroidery | (i) Examples of embroidered things (ii) Ila’s use of shiny needle |
| 2 | Early challenges and family support | (i) (ii) Ila’s mother and grandmother help her learn new skills |
| 3 | (i) (ii) | |
| 4 | (i) (ii) | |
| 5 | (i) (ii) | |
| 6 | Recognition at a state exhibition | (i) (ii) |
| 7 | (i) (ii) | |
| 8 | (i) (ii) | |
| 9-10 | (i) Financial independence and joy (ii) Challenges can be turned into victories |
Ans.
| Paragraph | Main idea | Two supporting details |
| 1 | Introduction to Ila Sachani’s colourful embroidery | (i) Examples of embroidered things (ii) Ila’s use of shiny needle |
| 2 | Early challenges and family support | (i) Ila’s hands were hanging loose by her side. (ii) Ila’s mother and grandmother helped her learn embroidery skills. |
| 3 | Overcoming her challenges | (i) Her mother and grandmother helped her learn sewing using her feet. (ii) She learned to comb and eat using her feet. |
| 4 | Ila’s turning into an embroidery expert | (i) Ila’s determination made her an expert (ii) Different embroidery styles |
| 5 | Ila’s work was admired by the village people | (i) Ila’s work was admired by friends and family(ii) Ila’s work was spread around village people |
| 6 | Recognition at a state exhibition | (i) Work reached the government office in Surat. (ii) Some of her works were shown in state exhibitions, and she became famous. |
| 7 | Recognition at a National level | (i) Ila won awards and honors (ii) She became a celebrated artist and received the President’s Medal. |
| 8 | Newfound Independence | (i) She is now earning regular income (ii) She is enjoying her work. |
| 9-10 | Art has the power to rise above boundations | (i) Financial independence and joy (ii) Challenges can be turned into victories |
Let us think and reflect
1. Read the following lines and answer the questions that follow.
Unlike other children, she could not use her hands as usual. While other small hands drew figures in the sand or plucked wildflowers, she wondered why she could not join them. She, too, wanted to hold a chalk in her hands and draw figures on a slate.
(a) Choose the correct option to fill in the blank.
‘Unlike other children’ means that Ila was _____________. (unaware/ different/simple)
(b) What could Ila have felt when she could not join others in things they did?
(c) Complete the following with a suitable reason.
Ila could not draw figures on the slate because ___________.
Ans.
(a) ‘Unlike other children’ means that Ila was different.
(b) Ila was disappointed as she was different from other children and couldn’t join her hands to do things like them.
(c) Ila could not draw figures on the slate because she couldn’t join her hands.
2. What creative ways did Ila and her family use to overcome the challenges she faced?
Ans. Ila’s grandmother and mother were skilled in Kathiawar embroidery. They taught their skills to Ila, and though it was difficult as she had to use her feet to weave, she still achieved her goal. With her dedication and patience, she has now become a celebrated artist.
3. How did ‘new independence’ help Ila?
Ans. Ila’s creations have helped her to gain her independence financially as well as emotionally. Financially, she earned her regular income through her artwork. Emotionally, she expresses herself through her artwork. She found joy in her work.
4. Why was the first state exhibition an important event in Ila’s life?
Ans. Her first state exhibition was an important event as her work became famous beyond her village boundaries. She hadn’t experienced that before. After being appreciated there, she participated in more exhibitions and eventually received the President’s Medal.
5. What does the sentence, ‘art has the power to rise above physical boundaries and touch the soul’, tell us about the power of art?
Ans. Art has helped Ila to express herself and touch other people’s souls. Art has helped her to go beyond her limitations and earn her name in artwork. It was only through art that she was able to make her name beyond Gujarat and earn the President’s Medal. Otherwise, she would be stuck within the boundaries of her village.
6. How can we be helpful and encouraging like Ila’s family and friends when someone faces challenges?
Ans. We should be kind towards them and not make fun of them. We should appreciate their work. We should create a positive environment around them to help them develop and grow patiently.
7. How can Ila’s story help others to overcome challenges in their lives?
Ans. Ila’s story is an inspiration for other people with disabilities as they won’t give up on themselves and their life. They would work on their limitations and rise above them to be successful in their lives. Other people should learn from her dedication and willpower that changed her life.rwise, she would be stuck within the boundaries of her village.
6. How can we be helpful and encouraging like Ila’s family and friends when someone faces challenges?
Ans. We should be kind towards them and not make fun of them. We should appreciate their work. We should create a positive environment around them to help them develop and grow patiently.
7. How can Ila’s story help others to overcome challenges in their lives?
Ans. Ila’s story is an inspiration for other people with disabilities as they won’t give up on themselves and their life. They would work on their limitations and rise above them to be successful in their lives. Other people should learn from her dedication and willpower that changed her life.