Case study 1- pg 153
All over the world, digital technologies have been transforming the way societies function. In
India, till about 30 years ago, people who wanted to transfer money to a distant relative would
have to queue up at the Post Office to send a money order after filling up a form; or if they had to
send a payment to some business, they would queue up at their bank to obtain a demand draft,
which would then have to be sent by post. You have probably never heard these terms ('money
order' or 'demand draft'), because today we have digital means of sending across money
instantly!
However, this has also created a new class of criminals who, without even leaving their desks,
find digital ways of stealing people's money. This has led many governments to pass new laws in
order to fight such criminal activities (called 'cybercrime'). Some of those criminals, who believe
in robbing innocent people of their hard-earned money instead of using their skills to contribute
to society, have been arrested and convicted in court. They are usually fined as well as jailed for
some years.
Q1. What facility allows us to send money instantly today?
Ans) Digital means such as online transfers, UPI, and net banking.
Q2 Why did governments need to pass new laws related to online activities?
Ans) Because cybercrimes increased, and criminals started stealing money digitally.
Q3 Explain with an example how digital progress brings both benefits and challenges for
society.
Ans) 1. Benefit: People can transfer money instantly without standing in queues.
2. Challenge: Cybercriminals misuse technology to steal money, leading to new crimes.
Case Study 2- pg 116-117
The Jätaka tales, which have delighted generations of Indian children and adults, tell stories of
the Buddha's former births and express in simple terms the Buddhist values. In a well-known
tale, the Buddha was the king of a large troop of monkeys. They lived near a huge tree which
bore fruit of divine fragrance and taste. Despite the monkey-king's instructions that no fruit
should escape, one day a ripe fruit fell into the stream below. Carried by the current, it was
caught in a net and taken to the palace. The king was so enchanted by its taste that he ordered his
soldiers to locate the tree it came from.After a long search, they found the tree — and the
monkeys enjoying the tree's fruits. The soldiers attacked the monkeys. The only way for the
monkey-king to save his monkeyswas to help them cross the stream, but they could not do so on
their own. Being much larger than them, the monkey-king caught hold of a tree on the other bank
and let them use his body as a bridge to cross the stream, although he was severely bruised in the
process and eventually died. The king, who watched the scene from a distance, was greatly
moved by the monkey-king's selfless sacrifice. He thought about the role of a king with respect
to his subjects.
Q1. What leadership qualities are shown by the monkey-king?
Ans) The monkey-king showed courage, responsibility, compassion, and the spirit of sacrifice to
protect his troop.
Q2. How does this story highlight the Buddhist value of selflessness?
Ans) The story shows selflessness as the monkey-king gave his life for others, reflecting the
Buddhist belief that true strength lies in sacrifice and compassion.
Q3. What can today’s leaders learn from this tale?
Today’s leaders can learn that real leadership means serving people with empathy, fairness, and
responsibility rather than seeking personal gain.
Case Study 3- pg 111-112
Once, a man was giving away all his possessions in a ritual. As his son Nachiketa kept asking
him which god he would be offered to, the father became angry and answered, "I give you to
Yama" — that is, to the god of death. Nachiketa, then, proceeded to Yama's world and, after a
long wait, met the mighty god. One question was on his mind — "What happens after the death
of the body?" Yama tried to avoid answering, but the boy persisted. Pleased, Yama explained that
the atman, or self, is hidden within all creatures. It is neither born, nor does it die; it is immortal.
Having acquired this profound knowledge, Nachiketa returned to his father, who welcomed him
joyfully.
Q1. Why is Nachiketa’s persistence important for learners today?
Ans) Nachiketa’s persistence teaches learners to stay determined and keep seeking knowledge
without giving up.
Q2. What does the story teach about the nature of the self?
Ans) The story shows that the self is eternal, beyond death, and cannot be destroyed.
Q3. How does this story reflect the values of Indian culture?
Ans) It reflects the values of truth-seeking, respect for knowledge, and spiritual wisdom in Indian
culture.
Case Study 4- Pg 17
The Greenwich Meridian is not the first prime meridian. There were others in the past. In fact,
many centuries before Europe, India had a prime meridian of its own! It was called madhya
rekha (or 'middle line') and passed through the city of Ujjayini (today Ujjain), which was a
reputed centre for astronomy over many centuries. Varahamihira, a famous astronomer, lived and
worked there some 1,500 years ago. Indian astronomers were aware of concepts of latitude and
longitude, including the need for a zero or prime meridian. The Ujjayini meridian became a
reference for calculations in all Indian astronomical texts.
Q1. What was the prime meridian in ancient India called?
Ans) Madhya Rekha (middle line).
Q2. Which city did the Indian prime meridian pass through?
Ans) Ujjayini (modern Ujjain).
Q3. Why was Ujjayini important in ancient Indian astronomy?
Ans) 1) It was a reputed centre for astronomy for many centuries.
2) Varahamihira, a famous astronomer, worked there about 1,500 years ago, and the Ujjayini
meridian became the reference point for astronomical calculations.
