Foundation English I

  COFFEE, TEA AND JRD HARISH BHAT   JRD Tata was the founder of Tata Airlines, which went on to become Air India. Way back in the 1940s and 1950s, this airline was the first Indian global entity, proudly taking the Indian flag to international skies. In 1948, Air India inaugurated its first international service, from Mumbai to London, a proud moment for the country.   JRD was determined to make Air India the best airline in the world, notwithstanding the fierce competition from a host of other global airlines. For him, this was essential, because Air India was not just an airline, but a proud carrier of India’s image across the world. During the inaugural international flight, on which he also flew, he watched carefully for the reactions of passengers, and was greatly relieved when everything went very well, including landing in London right on time. He said, ‘It was for me a great and stirring event…. seeing the Indian flag displayed on both sides of the Mal...

LOVE CYCLE CHINUA ACHEBE   At dawn slowly the sun withdraws his long misty arms of embrace. Happy lovers whose exertions leave no aftertaste nor slush of love’s combustion; Earth perfumed in dewdrop fragrance wakes to whispers of soft-eyed light… Later he will wear out his temper ploughing the vast acres of heaven and take it out of her in burning darts of anger. Long accustomed to such caprice she waits patiently for evening when thoughts of another night will restore his mellowness and her power over him.  

A NATION’S STRENGTH WILLAM RALPH EMERSON   What makes a nation's pillars high And its foundations strong? What makes it mighty to defy The foes that round it throng? It is not gold. Its kingdoms grand Go down in battle shock; Its shafts are laid on sinking sand, Not on abiding rock. Is it the sword? Ask the red dust Of empires passed away; The blood has turned their stones to rust, Their glory to decay. And is it pride? Ah, that bright crown Has seemed to nations sweet; But God has struck its luster down In ashes at his feet. Not gold but only men can make A people great and strong; Men who for truth and honor's sake Stand fast and suffer long. Brave men who work while othe rs sleep, Who dare while others fly... They build a nation's pillars deep And lift them to the sky.   About the Poet: William Ralph Emerson, born in 1833, was an architect and the second cousin of Ralph Waldo Emerson. He worked to design several of the first buildings ...

  ‘The Sparrow’                       - Paul Laurence  Dunbar A little bird, with plumage brown, Beside my window flutters down, A moment chirps its little strain, Ten taps upon my window pane, And chirps again, and hops along, To call my notice to its song; But I work on, nor heed its lay, Till, in neglect, it flies away.   So birds of peace and hope and love Come fluttering earthward from above, To settle on life's window- sills, And ease our load of earthly ills; But we, in traffic's rush and din Too deep engaged to let them in, With deadened heart and sense plod on, Nor know our loss till they are gone.   About the poet: Paul Laurence Dunbar (June 27, 1872 – February 9, 1906) was an American poet, novelist, and short story writer of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born in Dayton, Ohio, to parents who had been enslaved in Kentucky before the American...

  A PATCH OF LAND SUBRAMANIA BHARATI   A patch of land I want, Parashakti- Give me a patch of land. On that patch of land, Parashakti, I want a house built for me. Its pillars decorated, Parashakti, And balconies painted white. Palm trees beside the well, Parashakti, With long fronds and tender nuts Ten or twelve. Those palms, Parashakti, The coconut trees, I want nearby. Moonlight should descend gently, Parashakti, Casting a gleaming veil of white. The soft cooing of the cuckoo, Parashakti, Should fall lightly on my ears. A gentle breeze should blow, Parashakti, And bring pleasure to my soul. A young wife I want, Parashakti, To share all these with me. Only joyful togetherness, Parashakti, Bless with poetry. Living in that open land, Parashakti, Be there to guard us. With the power of my songs, Parashakti, Enable me to defend this earth.