TERM 2 - CLASS 4 - PRIME YEARS

Name the following: a. A mammal that looks like a fish ___________ b. A bird that has teeth ___________ c. An animal that carries the baby in a pouch in its stomach. ______________ d. The part of the egg that grows into a baby. ___________ e. The intermediate stage between larva and adult in the life cycle of an insect ___________ What are these? a. Reptiles b. Marsupials c. Cocoon d. Mammals e. Amphibians. Study the sketch given here. Describe the life cycle of a Honeybee. Lifecycle of a Honeybee Adult Honeybee Egg Young Honeybee Larva 151 Pupa

Draw the lifecycle of a frog and a butterfly You learned how the mothers care for their young ones. Mothers always care for their babies. No wonder we human beings also display the same sentiments. There is a saying in the scriptures ‘God cannot be everywhere. So he created mother'. Write a short essay on motherly love and care displayed by all living creatures. ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ 152

Clothes we wear Why do we wear clothes? Early man did not wear any clothes in the beginning. Later, he discovered that covering the body with animal skins or tree barks helped to protect him from extreme heat and cold. That is how man began to wear clothes. By his intelligence and creativity, he was able to make different kinds of clothes and used different materials for making clothes. Today, we wear clothes not only as a protective cover, but also as a style statement. Why do we wear clothes? 1. To protect ourselves from heat and cold. 2. To look fashionable. 3. To identify people and their profession from their uniforms. What are the materials we use for making clothes? Wool was the first clothing material discovered by man. After wool, cotton was discovered, followed by silk and linen. Now, there are synthetic materials too that are available, like nylon, polyester etc. 1. Wool Wool is obtained from sheep, goats, camel, and other animals found in mountainous regions. Wool obtained from pashmina goat is considered to be the best. Australia is the largest producer of wool. 153

In India, wool is primarily produced in Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Ladakh, apart from other mountain states. 2. Cotton Cotton is obtained from cotton plants. In India, cotton is largely grown in the Maharashtra, Gujarat region and southern part of the country. The fibrous material is separated from the cotton seed by a process called ginning. Later, it is spun into fibers. This is called spinning. In early days, people used to spin using a hand operated device called charka . Today, we use a spinning jenny or spindles for the purpose. 3. Silk Silk is obtained from the cocoon of silk moth. The cocoons are put in boiling water first. As a result, fibers unwind from the cocoons, which are then collected. The Chinese were the first to discover silk fibers. Rearing of silk worms is a cottage industry. The process of rearing silk worms is known as sericulture. In India, Mysore, Banaras, Kanchipuram (Tamil Nadu), and Pochampally (Andhra Pradesh) are known for production of silk fabric. Charka was the symbol of self esteem during our freedom struggle. It was propagated by Mahatma Gandhi to encourage people to wear hand spun clothes so that our weavers could get employment. 154 Charka

4. Linen It is a fiber obtained from the soft, fibrous stem of a plant called flax. Great Britain was once famous for the linen it produced. 5. Synthetic fibres These are also called manmade fibers, since they are made from chemical compounds. They are more durable than natural fibres. Cotton Silk Cotton Synthetic fibres Wool Activity: 1 Collect samples of different cloth materials. Compare them on the basis of: 1. Texture: Rough/smooth/soft 2. Lustre: Lustrous/non lustrous 3. Heaviness: Heavy/light 4. Transparency: Can see through it/cannot see through it. 155

Chinese came to India to sell their silk through a mountain route crossing Himalayas. This route came to be known as the silk route. Activity 2: Which fibre is the strongest? Stretch a single fibre taken out of clothes made of different materials. Which one breaks easily? Which one doesn’t? Activity3: How do we distinguish between fibres? Burn each sample piece and feel the smell of the fibre. You will notice the following: a. Cotton - smell of burnt paper. Ashes left out. b. Silk - smell of burnt hair. Ashes are left at the end. c. Wool - smell of burnt hair. d. Synthetic fibre - smell of burning chemical. No ashes are left. The fibre melts and forms knots. 156

How is cloth made? The raw materials for making clothes pass through several stages to get the dresses we wear. 1. Spinning: It is the process of making thread or yarn from fibers. This is done is spinning mills using specially designed machines. 2. Weaving: It is done in looms. The yarn or thread is woven into cloth. Observe a piece of cloth against light. You will see vertical and horizontal layers of fibers intercepting each other. Looms are of two types- hand looms and power looms. Hand looms are operated manually, while power looms are operated by machines. 3. Dying the cloth: After weaving, the cloth is wrapped about thin frames and immersed in dye. Sometimes, the yarn is dyed before weaving, especially in cases where designs are to be woven into the cloth, such as sarees. If it is a plain cloth, it is dyed after weaving. Power looms Put up a fashion show in class to display clothes made of different fabrics. 157

4. Printing: After dying, printing is done. There are different techniques for printing, such as block printing, wax printing, screen printing, tie and dye etc. Hand prints are also common in some parts. The lepakshi and kalamkari prints of Andhra Pradesh, the Madhubani prints of Rajasthan, the Bandhini tie and dye technique, and the Chungati prints of south India are some of the popular prints from India. You can have your own block prints made. Do the following activity. Take vegetables like lady's finger, bitter gourd, onions, and flowers like that of cerium etc. Cut the vegetables to expose their cross sections. Wet a sponge with water colour. Press the cut portion of the vegetables in the water colour and press on the paper. You will get the print of the cross section of the vegetable. 5. Giving the finishing touch: The woven cloth is given a smooth and shiny finish before packing. Why do we wear different clothes in different seasons? Cotton clothes are woven in such a way that there is enough space between the yarns for air circulation. Cotton yarn absorbs moisture too. Hence, it is best suited for summer. 158 Bitter gourd Lady finger onion

Woollen clothes keep the body warm, while maintaining air circulation. Hence, they are preferred during winter. Silk and synthetic clothes also keep the body warm. However, they function like insulations. For that reason, they are not used in regular household wear. Moreover, when synthetic clothes catch fire, they stick to the body and aggravate the burn. It is not safe to wear synthetic clothes while working in the kitchen. 1. Synthetic fibres - fibers made from chemicals like polyethylene and polyester . 2. Cocoons - a fibrous covering inside which the larvae change to pupa stage. 3. Raw materials - materials procured directly from nature. 1. Why do we wear clothes? 2. What are the materials used for making clothes? 3. What is ginning? 4. How is silk obtained? 5. Name the main centres of silk production in India. 6. Explain the stages of making cloth from fibre. 159

If there is a weaving or spinning centre nearby, visit the place and learn how weaving and spinning are done. Prepare a report of your trip. 1. Why should we not wear synthetic clothes in the kitchen? 2. Why do we prefer cotton clothes in summers? 3. People of southern India prefer light clothes, while people in the northern part of the country prefer thick clothes covering the whole body. Why? Write short notes on a. Cotton fibre and cotton yarn b. Dying c. Printing 1. Do the activities mentioned in the lesson and make a record of the same. 2. Try weaving a table mat. a. Take chart papers of two different colours. b. Cut out two equal pieces one from each. c. Cut one into strips of 2 cm width. d. Make slits in the other at 2 cm width. e. Insert the strips into the slits. 160

Health and Diseases A person is said to be healthy if all his body parts and internal organs function properly. If any part of the body or any organ fails to function, the person is said to suffer from disease. Diseases are of many types, like hereditary diseases, diseases due to malnutrition, diseases occurring due to unhygienic conditions, and diseases resulting from wrong diet. Hereditary Diseases These are diseases passed on from parents to offspring. Example: diabetes, blood related diseases. Diseases Due to Malnutrition These kinds of diseases are mainly found in children. Abnormalities in body growth, bulging belly, and skinny hands and legs are symptoms of such diseases. Some may lose their eyesight too. It is estimated that in India, nearly 60 lakh children suffer from malnutrition. They don’t get the required quantity of body nutrients. Malnutrition results from starvation. Diseases due to contaminated food and water: These diseases are of two types – communicable diseases and non communicable diseases. Communicable diseases These diseases spread from one person to another through air, water and insects. Poor personal hygiene, general unclean conditions in the house, poor sanitation, open sewage, and rotten garbage are some reasons for the occurrence of communicable diseases. 161

Water borne diseases Diseases that spread through contaminated water are called water borne diseases. Cholera, typhoid, jaundice, hepatitis, and diarrhoea are some examples of water borne diseases. They are communicable diseases. How does water get contaminated? Mixing of sewage water with potable water, presence of harmful chemicals in water used for drinking and cooking, excess presence of chemicals such as fluorine, arsenic etc., in borewell water are main causes of water contamination. Excess of fluorine in water causes a disease called fluorosis. Presence of arsenic in water causes paralysis, stiffening of muscles, sores and swelling in the limbs. Epidemics Sudden outbreak of communicable diseases that spread fast and kill many people is termed as an epidemic. Cholera, typhoid, hepatitis, malaria, and dengue are examples of epidemics. Epidemics usually occur soon after floods, cyclones, earthquakes, and tsunamis. This is so because after such natural calamities, there are more chances of contamination of water. Now, let’s learn about the symptoms of a few common communicable diseases. Cholera It is caused by contaminated food and water. It spreads very fast. Symptoms of cholera are severe stomach ache, vomiting and diarrhoea. A person with cholera suffers from severe dehydration. Remedy for it is ORS solution given intravenously. 162

What is ORS? ORS is Oral Rehydration Solution. It is a mixture of salt and glucose dissolved in water in a definite proportion. Typhoid It is caused by contaminated food and water. Symptoms of typhoid include high intermittent fever, diarrhoea, and severe headache. The fever lasts for about 21 days. Hepatitis A Infection of the liver caused by Hepatitis virus leads to Hepatitis A. The virus spreads through food and water. Fever, body pain and loss of appetite are common symptoms of Hepatitis A. 163 Jaundice It is also a water-borne disease. Symptoms of jaundice include yellowing of eyes and skin, accompanied with high fever and body pain. Airborne Diseases Common cold, flu, tuberculosis, and viral fever spread through air. All airborne diseases are caused by germs called viruses. • Endosulfan is a pesticide used by farmers. It contaminates water during rains. This contaminated water flows into rivers, ponds and even seeps down and mixes with well- water. • When people consume this contaminated water, it leads to blindness, paralysis, and swelling of limbs. It is widely known to affect Kerala more than any other state in India. • People have often demanded that this chemical to be banned. However, it has yet to be looked into.

Diseases spread by insects Mosquitoes and houseflies are common carriers of disease germs. Malaria, dengue and chikangunya are some diseases that are spread by mosquitoes. In order to prevent such diseases, it is important that there is no stagnant water in our vicinity. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in stagnant water, which multiply very fast. By eliminating stagnant water, we can prevent the breeding of mosquitoes. In case of presence of stagnant water, insecticides should be sprayed in order to kill mosquitoes. Houseflies are also carriers of disease germs. They fly and sit over rotten garbage and toilets and then sit on the food items kept uncovered. This causes spreading of germs into the food we consume. Cockroaches and ants are also carriers of germs. Malaria It is caused by a germ called Plasmodium. Female Anopheles mosquito is the carrier of this germ. The germ spreads from a sick person to others through the blood which the mosquito sucks. Chikangunya and dengue are also spread in a similar fashion way by mosquitoes. How do we prevent spreading of diseases? l We must ensure that our houses and toilets are kept clean. l Garbage should not be allowed to pile up. Garbage should be disposed off regularly. l There should not be stagnant water bodies near residential areas. 164

l Open sewage should be covered as far as possible. If that is not possible, it should be seen that water in the open sewage does not stagnate. l Only filtered water should be used for drinking and cooking purposes. In the absence of water filters, water should be boiled and filtered before use. l Food should never be kept uncovered. l Houses should have mesh doors and mesh for windows to prevent mosquitoes and flies. l Fruits and vegetables should be washed thoroughly before using. l Children below 5 years should be given preventive vaccines regularly. Non communicable Disease Polluted air, water, and soil leads to pollution of the food we eat. Change in lifestyle and preference for eating out in the long run results in ill health. Heart diseases and cancer are common diseases nowadays. According to a recent study, everyone in 10 individuals suffer from some allergy, cancer, or heart problems. Kidney related diseases are also increasing in number. Such diseases can be primarily attributed to a bad lifestyle. Sir Ronald Ross was the first man to find out that malaria was caused by anopheles mosquito. He established an institute to study about different kinds of fevers. The government fever hospital in Hyderabad is named after him. He belonged to Hyderabad. water filter washing vegetables and fruits 165

1. What is malnutrition? 2. What are the reasons for the occurrence of communicable diseases? 3. Name some common water borne diseases. 4. What is an epidemic? Mention two common epidemics? 5. Name three diseases spread by insects. 6. Name three non-communicable diseases. Identify the following diseases: 1. Severe headache, vomiting & diarrhoea. 2. Skin and eyes turn yellow. 3. High fever which lasts for 21 days. 4. Caused by mosquitoes. 1. Malnutrition - Lack of nutritious food required for proper growth of the body. 2. Contamination - Mixing of harmful substances with air, water and food. 3. Flourosis - A disease that affects bones and teeth. 4. ORS - Oral Rehydration Solution. ORS packets are available in medical shops under different brand names. E.g.- Electrol. 5. Tuberculosis (T.B) - It is an air-borne disease caused by bacteria. It affects the lungs. 6. Stagnant - Remaining steady; not flowing. 166

1. Coastal Life and Islands ____ 168 2. Agriculture in India ________ 178 3. Means of Communication ___ 189 4. Industries in India _________ 193 5. Modes of Transport _______ 202 Contents Class 4 Term 2

Costal Life and Islands Coastal plains We have already discussed coastal plains as one of the many land forms of India. Coastal plains are a vital part of our country as a large population of the country is concentrated in these areas. India Coastal plains 168

The Deccan plateau is flanked by coastal plains on the east and the west. Western coastal plains are washed by the Arabian Sea, whereas the eastern coastal plains are wetted by the Bay of Bengal. Both the plains meet at Kanyakumari, which is the southernmost tip of India. Western coastal plains are steeper and narrower than eastern coastal plains. Estuaries are formed by rivers on the western coast, while there are deltas on the eastern coast. The western coastline is largely straight, supported by continuous mountain ranges of the Western Ghats. As a result, it receives heavy rainfall from southwest monsoon. On the other hand, the eastern coastline is bent at an angle, and is crooked. The hills on its western sides are shorter and broken. Therefore, the eastern coast does not receive much rainfall from southwest monsoon. 169 Western coastal plain The western coastal plain stretches from the Gulf of Kutch in the north, to Kanyakumari in the south. Different parts of the coast are known by different names. 1. Gulf of Kutch to Gulf of Cambay is called Gujarat coast. 2. Gulf of Cambay to Goa is called Konkan coast. 3. Goa to Kanyakumari is called Malabar coast.

Gujarat coast The climate is pleasant here as the ocean waves are very active. It receives heavy rainfall. Soil of the region is fertile, and many crops like wheat, groundnut, millets and cotton are grown here. The main occupations of people living in the region are fishing and salt making, besides agriculture. The coast has petroleum reserves too. The language spoken in the region is mainly Gujarati. Look for Gujarat coast on the map. Malabar coast Locate Malabar Coast on the map. It is wider than the Konkan coast. Kochi is an important port and trade centre of the Malabar Coast. There is a ship building yard in Kochi. There are other smaller ports too, like Mangalore, Kozhikode and Kollam. Rice, banana, and coconut grow abundantly in this region. The main occupations of people living in the Malabar region are fishing, Konkan coast Identify the Konkan coast on the map. The soil here is fertile and is suited for growing rice and coconuts. However, the coast is uneven and is intercepted by rocks. The main occupations of people living here are fishing and agriculture. Marathi and Konkani are the main languages spoken here. Offshore petroleum drilling rig ‘Bombay High’, lies in this region. Mumbai is the busiest port in India. Bhabha Atomic Research Centre is located in the coastal district of Trombay, near Bombay (Mumbai). 170

agriculture, and coir making. Coir is the fibre taken out from coconuts. It is used for making ropes, doormats and carpets. Coir making is a cottage industry in the villages of the region, around the backwaters. Backwaters or lagoons are a characteristic feature of the Malabar Coast. They are formed by deposition of sand by water bodies, resulting in the formation of sand bars. When seawater enters the land, it is trapped between these sand bars. This leads to the formation of lagoons or backwaters. Backwaters are a major tourist attraction. Tourism has developed a lot in these areas, resulting in jobs for many people. Mobile resorts are a common sight in these backwaters. Main languages spoken in the region are Malayalam, Konkani and Tulu. Eastern coastal plains The eastern coastal plains stretches from Kanyakumari in the south to the deltas of Sunderbans in the east. In Tamil Nadu, it is called Coromandel Coast, and towards the north, it is called Northern Circars. Rameshwaram temple 171

Coromandel coast Fishing is the main occupation of people living in the Coromandel Coast region, besides agriculture. The Kaveri River forms deltas which are very fertile and suited for growing rice and coconuts. Rameswaram is a port and a pilgrimage centre. Many people make it their 172 occupation to make arrangements for performing the last rites of the dead. It is nicknamed as Dakshin Kashi. Chennai is the major port of the region and a commercial centre. Marina beach and Santhome beach are famous beaches of the Coromandel Coast. Identify Coromandel Coast on the map. Northern Circars Visakhapatnam, Paradeep, and Kolkata are major ports of this part of the eastern coast. The coast is very uneven due to clusters of Fishing

rocks. It extends from Andhra Pradesh in the south, to West Bengal in the north. Visakhapatnam is the major port of the region. It has a ship-building yard, an oil refinery, and an iron and steel industry. A large population is employed in these sectors. The Northern Circars has many deltas formed by the rivers Mahanadi, Godavari and Krishna. They are best suited for growing rice. The eastern coastal plains receive heavy rains from northeast monsoon, resulting from cyclones in the Bay of Bengal. The eastern coast, especially Northern Circars, is hit by cyclones in October- November almost every year. Island groups of India There are two island groups which are under the control of India because they are within the territorial waters. These are the Lakshadweep Islands in the Arabian Sea, and the Andaman-Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal. 173 Every country can have oceans and islands under its control upto a certain distance from the coast. This distance is called territorial waters. Ships or boats of other countries cannot enter the territorial waters of a country without permission.

Lakshadweep islands These island groups are formed by coral deposits, and are called atolls. Atolls are ring shaped land masses formed by deposition of corals.There are nearly 34 coral islands in Lakshadweep. Only a few of them are inhabited. The main language spoken in Lakshadweep islands is Malayalam. The islands are still underdeveloped. Except Kavarathi, the capital, other areas of the islands are still backward. Main occupation of the people living here is ferrying, fishing, and growing rice and coconuts. Of late, a large number of tourists have started visiting the islands. Tourism provides employment to the people living in the region. Kavarathi can be reached by ship or air from Kochi. For travelling onto the islands, the main mode of transport is ferry boats and steamers. 174 Andaman & Nicobar Islands These are a group of nearly 550 islands. Most of them are uninhabitable. In the dense forests of some of these islands, the Ferry boats in Lakshadweep

• Corals are secretions of certain sea animals that live in deep sea. These coral deposits form huge hills under the sea. • Between Rameswaram and Sri Lanka, there is a long, half moon shaped coral deposit. • This is called Ramasethu or Adam’s Bridge. aboriginals still survive. They belong to the race of early humans. They bear resemblance to the pygmies of Africa. Port Blair is the capital of this island group. It is a city with all modern amenities. Many government offices and trade centers are situated here. Many people have migrated from Indian mainland to these islands. They have cultivated the land. Main crops grown in the region are rice, coconuts and spices. Boat races, yachting and surfing are some 175 sports that are popular here. Tamil, Telugu and Bengali, besides English are the main languages spoken by people living here. However, the tribals speak their own languages.Earlier these islands were volcanically active. However, now, the Barren Island is the only island Andaman cellular jail

1. Estuaries - The path taken by a river before it joins the sea. Usually, it is a zig-zag shallow stream. 2. Delta - Triangular shaped islands formed when the river branches into streams before joining the sea. 3. Gulf - A narrow opening through which sea enters the land. 4. Bay - A wide opening into a land mass. 5. Ferry - Boats which transport people from one place to another. Pigmies are dwarf human beings with an average height of two and half-three feet. They are believed to be a species of early dwarf man. They are mostly found in the dense forests of Africa. 176 with an active volcano. A channel called ten degree channel separates Andaman and Nicobar islands. During the British rule, Andaman Islands used to house prisoners. Most of them died of insect bites, extreme weather conditions, and lack of proper food. Later, a cellular jail was built exclusively to house Indian political prisoners. (people who revolted against the British rule.) These cellular jails have now been converted into a memorial. When we see the jails, we cannot but feel pity for those great men and women who suffered in these cells, for the sake of their country. They suffered silently so that the rest of their countrymen could enjoy their freedom. Once sent to Andamans, the individual had no hope of returning alive. That is why, the islands were called ‘Kala pani’ in those days. We can go to these islands by air from Chennai and Kolkata.

1. Differentiate between western and eastern coasts of India in a tabular form. 2. What are the names given to different parts of western coastal plains? 3. What is coir? What are its uses? 4. What are backwaters? 5. Why are eastern coastal plains of India prone to cyclonic rainfall? 6. What are atolls? 7. Of all the above-mentioned places, where would you like to go? Why? Write a paragraph. If you have already visited any of these places, write a brief account of your visit. Certain terms are given below. Write them under the headings - Western coast, Eastern coast, Lakshadweep, and Andaman-Nicobar Islands, as you see fit. Estuaries, Deltas, cyclonic rain, atolls, volcanic mountains, ten degree channel, Rameswaram, coir, salt making, cellular jail, Kavarathi, Goa, Kalapani, aboriginals, Kochi, Paradeep, Godavari, south-west monsoon, north-east monsoon. 177

Agriculture in India India is an agricultural country. India - Major Crops 178

More than 70% of its population is engaged in farming. Agriculture is the backbone of the country because of the following reasons: 1. It provides food for people 2. It produces raw materials for industries like cotton, sugar, jute, rubber etc. 3. It provides employment to a large number of people. Different parts of India have different soil and climate. Thus, different crops are grown in different regions according to their soil and climate. In addition to that, India has two cropping seasons too. They are: Rabi crops: These crops are sown in winters and are harvested in summers. Example: Wheat and pulses. Kharif crops: These crops are sown in summers and are harvested in winters. Example: Rice, jute, cotton. Largely, two types of crops are grown in the country – food crops, and cash crops. Food crops: These are crops directly consumed by people. For example, food grains such as rice, wheat, millets, pulses, vegetables, fruits, etc. Cash crops: These are crops that need to be processed before consumption. They are grown largely for making money. Examples: Sugarcane, cotton, oilseeds, jute, tea, coffee, tobacco, rubber, spices etc. 179

Food crops Rice: Rice requires a hot and humid climate, and plenty of water to grow. Alluvial soil is best suited for growing rice. Rice is grown mostly in the coastal and northern plains of the country. A major producer of rice is Andhra Pradesh. In fact, India is the second largest producer of rice in the world. Wheat: Wheat requires a moderate climate. It needs water, but not stagnant water like that required for rice. As it requires a cool climate, wheat is largely grown in the northern plains of India. Punjab is the largest producer of wheat in the country. Some other states that produce wheat are Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. Millets: Jowar, bajra, and ragi are called millets. They need hot and dry climate. They are mostly grown in semi-arid regions such as the plateau region. Northwest Andhra Pradesh, eastern Maharashtra, and Rajasthan are the main producers of millets in India. Rice plant Wheat plant 180

Cash crops Different varieties of rice are grown in India. IR8, Sona masoori, Ponni, etc. are a few varieties of rice that are grown in the country. Basmati rice is a special variety produced in Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. This rice has a good flavour and is used for making a dish called Biryani . In Kerala and the northeast, a type of brown rice is grown which is more nutritious than rice produced in other regions. Sugarcane: It requires a hot and wet climate, and plenty of water. Coastal plains and northern plains of the country are suited for growing sugarcane. Uttar Pradesh is the leading producer of sugarcane, followed by Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. Sugarcane is crushed in sugar mills to extract juice from it. Sugar is obtained from this juice by a process called crystallization. Sugarcane Cotton: It requires a warm and dry climate. It grows well in black lava soil. Maharashtra, Gujarat, and the southern plateau region are the major producers of cotton. Cotton is made into fibres which are then woven to make cloth. Jute: It requires a hot and wet climate, and swampy soil. West Bengal, Assam, and Bihar are the major producers of Jute in India. Jute is used to make gunny bags. Nowadays, processed jute fibres are used for making clothes, blankets etc. It is also called golden fibre because of its colour. 181

Oil seeds: Coconut, castor, sesame, sunflower, mustard, and olive palm are commonly grown oil seeds in India. While coconut grows well in tropical areas such as southern India, sunflower, castor, sesame grow well in semi arid areas. Olive palm is not very common in India. However, of late, coastal areas have started growing them on an experimental basis. Tea, Coffee: Tea and coffee require hot and wet climate, and plenty of rainfall. They grow on slopes where water does not stay for long. Laterite soil is best suited for growing coffee and tea. Coffee is obtained by roasting ripe coffee beans, while tea leaves are packaged after drying tender tea leaves indoors, away from the sun. Nilgiri hills that lie in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka are major producers of coffee in India. Nilgiris, Darjeeling, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh are major producers of tea. Have you heard about ICRISAT? ICRISAT is International Crop Research Institute for Semi Arid Tropics, funded and run by the United Nations. It's Indian branch is situated in Hyderabad. It works to make cultivation of crops possible in semi arid areas. Tea Plantation 182

Rubber: It is the raw material for a variety of manufactured goods. Rubber is obtained from latex. Rubber milk is collected from the barks of rubber trees by making incisions. The latex is separated from the milk by adding vinegar, and it is then dried before selling to traders. In India, rubber is cultivated only in Kerala, as it requires a tropical climate, and very heavy rainfall. Spices: Cardamom, clove, cinnamon, pepper, ginger etc. are called spices. They add flavour to our dishes. Spices grow in tropical climate. Rainfall is essential for their growth. In India, the hill slopes of the Nilgiris, specifically the hills of Kerala and Karnataka, are the only places where spices are grown. Rubber Plantation 183

Revolution in farming: In the early years of independence and for the next 20 years, India imported majority of food grains from other countries. It was so because Indian farmers depended on rain for irrigating their crops, and they followed the old methods of manual farming. However, the next few years saw a revolution in food production. With improved seeds, use of fertilizers, and mechanised farming methods, India achieved self-sufficiency in food production. This revolution in food production and farming techniques is called the Green Revolution. Machines, new methods of farming, use of fertilizers, improved varieties of seeds, use of pesticides and insecticides for pest control, collective farming – all contributed to the Green Revolution. As a result, India is in a position to export food grains. Acombine Ploughing Sowing Harvesting Winnowing Various agricultural processes 184

What is the present picture? Excessive use of fertilizers has led to soil and water pollution and health hazards. Genetically modified new varieties of crops do more harm than good. Pesticides contaminate the food we eat. Scientists are now advising farmers to go back to natural crops and organic manures in place of GM crops and fertilizers. If possible, visit a nearby village, and make a list of crops grown there. 185

1. Semi arid - Partially moist; meaning areas that receive less than average rainfall. 2. Crystallisation - When a hot and strong solution of salt or sugar is cooled, the salt or sugar comes out of the solution in crystal form. This is called crystallisation. 3. Swampy - Full of swamps. Swamps are loose smudge beneath normal looking ground. 4. Revolution - A sudden change in the existing system. 5. Pesticides - Chemicals that kill pests that eat plants and crops. 6. Insecticides - Chemicals that kill insects like mosquitoes, cockroaches, beetles and other insects that destroy crops. 7. Fertilisers - Chemicals that provide the minerals necessary for plants to grow. 8. Manure - Naturally available materials rich in plant nutrients like cattle dung, decayed leaves, compost, etc. 1. What is the difference between kharif and rabi crops? 2. Why is agriculture regarded as the backbone of our country? 3. What are cash crops? 4. What are millets? What is the type of soil and climate suited for these crops? 5. Write a short note on green revolution. 6. Name some crops that are grown in your state. 186 1. Rice is the staple food of southern India, while wheat is the staple food of northern India. Why? 2. Spices are grown only in the western Nilgiris. Why? 3. Tea is grown, both, in the Nilgiris, and in the northeast. Why?

Identify the crops from the clues given below: a. Needs hot and wet climate and plenty of water. b. Grows well in cool climate, mostly in the northern plains. c. It is a cash crop which grows well in swampy places. d. Requires black soil. e. Grows in Nilgiris and Assam. It is grown on hill slopes. f. They grow mostly in hot and dry climate, and semi arid regions. 1.Get information from your text book and fill the table below. Refer to the map given in your textbook. Crop Climate Soil States where grown Rice Wheat Millet Cotton Jute Tea, Coffee Sugarcane 187

• Divide the class into two groups. • Each group will take up one/two crops and give a presentation in the class on how they are grown, and climatic conditions required for their growth. • They will bring samples of crops for display in the class. 188 2. Shade the regions of the given crops in the map of India a. Rice b. Wheat c. Tea d. Jute e. Cotton

Means of Communication The process of exchanging thoughts, ideas and feelings with others, getting information on matters of importance, and sending and receiving messages is called communication. There can be one-to-one communication, as well as communicating with many people at a time. Communicating with many people at a time is called mass communication. Man has come a long way in communication, from cave drawings to internet based blogging and twitter. Describe the history of communication with the help of the clues given above. Mass communication has also undergone revolutionary changes. Cave Painting Pigeon Messenger Drum Smoke messenger 189

Popular means of communication at present Posts : Inspite of the advent of electronic communication systems, postal service is still in use in remote parts of the country. In every village and town, there is a post office. There are private postal services too, known as couriers. They are useful when letters and parcels need to be sent quickly. Telephone: Do you know who invented telephone? Telephone has made on the spot communication possible. Mobile phones are the electronic counterpart of telephones. They can be carried with us. There are different versions of mobile phones now. They function as video cameras and mini- computers too. Tablets and Laptops are new additions to electronic communication system. E-mail or electronic mail: It is the fastest way of sending messages. Cellphone Post Box Telephone Skype: It is more convenient than e-mail. People can talk to each other while seeing each other on a computer screen. It is a wonder of the 21 century. st 190

Newspapers: Newspapers are everyone’s choice for mass communication even today. While other means of communication intend to spread information or convey messages only, newspaper is a language learning medium, besides being a source of detailed information about happenings around the world. Cinema: Cinema is a medium through which people can express their views in the form of documentaries or films based on social and political issues. Cinema influences the elite as well as the lower class. It is the most powerful medium of expressing an opinion. Television: Find out who invented the magic box called television. Television has now come to each and every household. It has defeated all other means of communication by its popularity. Everyone can watch programs of his choice, be it educational, film related, reality shows etc. Twitter and blog: These are means of expressing one’s thoughts and opinions to the public through electronic medium. Twitter, blogs, and other social media channels like Facebook are the most modern means of communication Television Cinema camera Newspaper 191

Fax: In spite of e-mail, fax (short form of facsimile) is essential in offices for sending photographic images of pictures and documents. You can send messages instantly using a fax machine. However, both, the sender, and the receiver, should have a fax machine for this means of communication to work. 1. Write an e-mail to your friend telling him the history of communication. 2. Find out the different brands of mobile phones available in the market. Make a list of various uses of mobile phones, other than talking to each other. 3. Write a blog about your favourite TV programme. 4. Collect the names of English newspapers in circulation in India. Find out which one is the oldest of them all. 1. What is communication? 2. How does cinema help in mass communication? 3. How does a fax work? 4. What is mass communication? Fax machine 192

Industries in India Tatanagar in Jamshedpur is a township around Tata Iron and Steel Company. It is self-sufficient in all aspects. Another example of industrial townships is the BHEL townships in all BHEL sites. Steel city in Visakhapatnam and HAL townships in Hyderabad and Bangalore are other similar townships. Industries: Industries are a symbol of a country’s development. They provide employment to a large number of people. The country gets its income from the sale of finished products made in industries. Townships come up around the industrial areas, which provide civic amenities and modern housing facilities. Good schools and hospitals too, come up in these townships. That is why, industries are a benchmark of the economic status of a country. Types of Industries: Depending on the capital, manpower and technical requirements, industries can be classified into three types. 193 1. Cottage Industries: These industries require small investment and almost no outside labour. The work can be carried out at home by family members. Some examples of cottage industries are handloom weaving, toy making, handicrafts, embroidery works, shoe making, flour mills, basket weaving etc.

2. Small Scale Industries: They need a site to set up machinery; outside labour; and investment of a few lakhs or even upto a crore rupees. These industries provide employment to the people of nearby areas. Some examples of small scale industries are garments, ceramic objects, hosiery, plastic goods, manufacturing leather goods, printing press etc. 3. Large scale Industries: They require a huge investment; very large area to install machinery and proper buildings to house various sections of their operations. Sometimes, a whole village might be required to set up a large scale industry. These industries employ thousands of workers. The responsibility of looking after the well-being of workers and their families is the responsibility of the industry management. Both skilled and unskilled labour is required in large scale industries. Some examples of large scale industries are textile mills, iron and steel industries, oil refineries, automobile manufacturing plants, manufacturing of electronic goods like computers, television, mobile phones, hospital equipments, railway engines, and railway coaches, chemical industries, paper mills, etc. Let us know more about some industries of India: Iron and steel industry Tata Iron and Steel Industry was the first of its kind in India. It was established by Jamshedji Tata. All the other iron and steel industries are owned by the government. They are located at Bokaro, Bhilai, Durgapur, Visakhapatnam, Rourkela, Salem and Bhadravati. Locate these places on the map. You will notice that all iron and steel industries are located around Chota Nagpur Plateau. This is because the raw materials required for 194

the industry, namely coal, limestone and iron ore are mined in the plateau region. Industries are commonly set up where raw materials are easily available. India map showing industries 195

Cotton textile: There are over 2000 cotton mills in India. They are mostly centered around Bombay and Ahmedabad. Cotton mills are also set up in Coimbatore, Chennai, Bengaluru, Kanpur, Kolkata and Varanasi. Silk is mostly made in handlooms. Of late, power looms have come into picture, transforming it into a small scale industry. Bengaluru, Mysore, Kanchivaram and Varanasi are main centres of silk making in India. Pochampally and Narayanpet in Andhra Pradesh are also famous for the silk they produce. Jute mills: Jute mills are mainly centered around Kolkata. This is because the Hoogly region in Kolkata is the main centre of jute cultivation. A few jute mills can also be found in Jharkhand and Bihar. Railway engines: Railway engines are produced in Chittaranjan, Varanasi, Kapurthala and Kolkata. On the other hand, railway coaches are made at Perambur (Tamil Nadu), and Jamshedpur. Automobile: Automobile industries are primarily located in Gurgaon, Pune, Chennai, Nasik, Jamshedpur and Jabalpur. Electronic goods: The main centres for manufacturing of electronic goods are Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Delhi and Panchkula. Aeroplanes: They are made at Hindustan Aaeronautics Ltd. (HAL) Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Koraput (Orissa). Ship Building: India has early ship-building yards at Visakhapatnam and Kochi. Mumbai and Mormagoa also have ship-building yards, which have been recently established. 196

Live Stock Rearing animals for food production also comes under the category of cottage industry. For example: poultry keeping, bee keeping, sheep rearing, cattle farms, pig farms, aquaculture, sericulture etc. come under the category of cottage industries. 1. Poultry: Rearing hens for eggs and chicken for meat are the main functions of poultry farms. Most farms have hatchery attached to them, which are used to hatch eggs in order to get chicks. 2. Bee Keeping: Honeybees collect nectar from flowers and store it in the hives they build. Wooden boxes smeared with bee wax are kept on the low branches of trees, or in bushes. Bees are attracted by the smell of the wax and they start building hives in the box. When it is full, it can be replaced by a fresh box. 3. Cattle farm: Cattle are reared mainly for milk. The milk collected is taken to nearby dairies where various milk products are made. Milk is pasteurized and packaged for supply homes, restaurants etc. 4. Pig farms: Pigs and goats are reared for their meat. 5. Sericulture: Rearing of silk cocoons to make silk fibre is called sericulture. Silk moth lays eggs, which hatch into larvae. These larvae attach themselves to mulberry leaves and feed on them. After that, they Bee Keeping 197

Of late, the cocoons’ coverings are removed without killing them. When the adult moth comes out of the cocoon shell, the shells are treated to stretch out the fibres. The silk produced from such fibres is less lustrous and less strong. It is marketed under the name ‘Ahimsa silk’. At present, this is being tried out in Kanchivaram. change into cocoons, which weave a coat of fibre around them. In sericulture, these larvae are gathered in shallow bamboo baskets, along with mulberry leaves. When cocoons are formed, they are collected and put in boiling water, where the fibres stretch out into long thread like mass. Silk cloth is made from these fibres. 6. Aquaculture: Breeding fish in artificially made ponds and tanks is called aquaculture. Shrimps and prawns are the main varieties reared this way. Aquaculture is gaining popularity in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. Many salt water fish varieties are also produced this way. 7. Sheep farm: Sheep are mainly reared for wool. Hence, sheep farming is very common in the hill slopes of Himalayas and Nilgiris. 198

1. Why are industries important for a country? 2. Why are iron and steel industries in India located around the plateau region? 3. What is aquaculture? 4. What is sericulture? 5. Why are cotton mills in India mostly located around Mumbai and Ahmedabad? 1. What are the industries located in your city/town/village? Make a list of them. Write the raw materials used by them and the finished goods they produce. 2. Visit any one industrial site in your locality, if possible, and find out the following: a. Raw materials used b. Processes involved/machines used c. Finished goods d. Number of workers employed e. Approximate area occupied by the unit. 3. What are the small scale and large scale industries located in your state? 199

1. Study the given map. With the help of the key, list the places where different industries are located. 2. In the outline map of India, mark the following: a. 2 centres of silk industry b. 4 centres of cotton textile industry c. 3 centres of iron and steel industry d. 3 centres of aeronautical industry e. 2 centres of railway engine manufacturing f. 2 centres of electronic goods manufacturing. 3. Study the map of India. What are the industries located in the following cities? a. Bengaluru b. Chennai c. Mumbai d. Kolkata e. Hyderabad f. Lucknow g. Visakhapatnam. 4. Which city has more number of industries? What do you think is the reason for that? 200 • Industries are important for a country. • However, industries also cause water and air pollution. • Suggest some ways to reduce industrial pollution. • Try to think on your own.