Std. XI (Marks: 50) Time- Two and Half Hours



     Section I- Prose

Q.1 (A) Read the extract and complete the activities given below. (12)
The gruff voice was gruffer than ever, as the old gentleman said abruptly, after the dreadful pause, "So you're not afraid of me, hey?"
"Not much, sir."
"And you don't think me as handsome as your grandfather?" "Not quite, sir."
"And I've got a tremendous will, have I?"
"I only said I thought so."   "But you like me in spite of it?"  "Yes, I do, sir."
That answer pleased the old gentleman. He gave a short laugh, shook hands with her, and, putting his finger under her chin, turned up her face, examined it gravely, and let it go, saying with a nod, "You've got your grandfather's spirit, if you haven't his face. He was a fine man, my dear, but what is better, he was a brave and an honest one, and I was proud to be his friend."
"Thank you, sir," And Jo was quite comfortable after that, for it suited her exactly.
"What have you been doing to this boy of mine, hey?" was the next question, sharply put.
"Only trying to be neighborly, sir." And Jo told how her visit came about.
"You think he needs cheering up a bit, do you?"
"Yes, sir, he seems a little lonely, and young folks would do him good perhaps. We are only girls, but we should be glad to help if we could, for we don't forget the splendid Christmas present you sent us," said Jo eagerly.
"Tut, tut, tut! That was the boy's affair. How is the poor woman?"
"Doing nicely, sir." And off went Jo, talking very fast, as she told all about the Hummels, in whom her mother had interested richer friends than they were.
"Just her father's way of doing good. I shall come and see your mother some fine day. Tell her so. There's the tea bell, we have it early on the boy's account. Come down and go on being neighborly."
"If you'd like to have me, sir."
"Shouldn't ask you, if I didn't." And Mr. Laurence offered her his arm with old–fashioned courtesy.
"What would Meg say to this?" thought Jo, as she was marched away, while her eyes danced with fun as she imagined herself telling the story at home.

A1. Global Understanding     (2)                                                                                             
Give a brief account of the interaction between Grandpa and Jo.
Answer:---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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A2. Complex Factual  (2)                                                                                                           
Complete the sentence:
In spite of Jo’s apprehensions, Grandpa is-
1) -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2) -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A3. Analysis     (2)
Write what Jo meant by this.                                                                                             
1) “Only trying to be neighbourly, sir.”                   
2) Splendid Christmas present.
Answer:- 1) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                2) -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


A4. Personal Response  (2)                                                                                                       
Give your views (Any two) 
Friendship to me means--------                                 
Answer:- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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A5. Language Study    (2)                                                                                                         
1) That answer pleased the old gentleman. (Change it into past perfect tense)
Answer:-  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2)  I shall come and see your mother some fine day. (Make simple sentence)
Answer:-  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A6. Vocabulary      (2)                                                                                                               
Find the contextual meaning of the following words.
1) boy’s affair                       
2) seems a little lonely
Answer:-       
1) ----------------------------------------------------   
2) -----------------------------------------------------

(B) Language Study  (3)
              Do as directed
                                                                                         
 1) We met a European girl in the bus stop of Santa Cruz.
       (Spot the error)
 2) The train arrived ------ the platform ------ time.
      (Use appropriate prepositions)
 3) I said to her, “Are you happy with my performance?”
     (Write in reported speech)
   
Q.2. (A) Read the extract and complete the activities given below. (12)
         
When shoes were first made, they were made flat without a heel. Since normal walking requires that the heel of the foot should strike the ground before the toes, these early shoes used to wear out quickly at the heel, prompting shoemakers to reinforce the heel, and so creating heeled shoes.

Women have been wearing high- heeled shoes for centuries in the pursuit of fashion. However, regularly wearing shoes with high heels can be hazardous. The biggest risk, perhaps, is losing your balance and breaking an ankle. Wearing high heels interferes with your normal gait. They throw your weight forward, making it difficult to sustain upright balance. They force you to use a lot of extra muscular effort to keep from falling forward.  Much of this extra effort is concentrated in the lower back arch, which can lead to back pain. Experts warn that high heels can also result in a variety of foot problems, including metatarsalgia, which is pain in the ball of the foot. Another condition called Morton's neuroma, which is 10 times more common in women than men, is caused by the thickening of tissue around a nerve between the third and fourth toes. It usually envelops in response to imitation and excessive pressure, such as the burden of weight high heels place on the ball of the foot.

However, if one cannot resist wearing 'heels, the following tips can help to   keep your feet healthy.

Always wear the correct fit. Have both feet measured the next time you buy shoes. You will probably find that one foot is larger than the other – always buy shoes to fit the larger foot, never buy shoes that are too tight. Buy shoes later in the day when your feet are a bit swollen. Never wear a heel higher than 6.5 cm. Only buy heels that you are comfortable in.


A1. Global Understanding  (2)
State the following statements are true or false. Correct the wrong statements.                      a)      Initial shoes were without a heel.
  b)     Women have been wearing high- heeled shoes for centuries to get comfort.
  c)      High heels can create a variety of foot problems.
  d)     Always wear a heel higher than 6.5 cm.

A2. Complex factual     (2)
Write any four drawbacks of regularly wearing shoes with high heels.
            You may begin like this:-
Drawbacks of regularly wearing shoes with high heels are:-
            1)------------
            2)------------
            3)------------
            4)------------

A3. Interpretation   (2)                 
Guess the intention of writing this extract.

A4. Personal Response- (2)
         To wear shoes with high heels is good or bad.
                           (Give your opinion)                                                             

A5. Vocabulary (2) 

Write the correct meaning of the following words from the given alternatives.
1) Centuries
 a) Thousands of years           b) Hundreds of years

2) Hazardous
a) Dangerous                           b) Hard

3) Gait
a) Style of giving                    b) Style of walking

4) Pursuit
a) Carrying purse and suit b) To achieve something       


A6.Language study      (2)
 
Do as directed.                                                                                                               

 1) Women have been wearing high- heeled shoes for centuries in the pursuit of fashion.
(Choose the correct alternative that denotes the tense of this sentence)
a)      Present continuous tense
b)      Present perfect tense
c)      Present perfect continuous tense
2) Always wear the correct fit.
(Choose the correct alternative that shows the type of this sentence)
a)      Interrogative sentence
b)      Imperative sentence
c)      Exclamatory sentence

B) Write a brief summary of the above extract with the help of the points given bellow. Suggest a suitable title for it.   (3)     

Earlier shoes, need of high heels, drawbacks of wearing high heels regularly, suggestions about wearing shoes etc.               

 Section II- Poetry

Q.3. A) Read the given extract and do the activities that follow.   (4)

There is another sky,
Ever serene and fair,
And there is another sunshine,
Though it be darkness there;
Never mind faded forests, Austin,
Never mind silent fields—
Here is a little forest,
Whose leaf is ever green;

Here is a brighter garden,
Where not a frost has been;
In its unfading flowers
I hear the bright bee hum:
Prithee, my brother,
Into my garden come!
A1. Global understanding  (2)
Complete the web giving the sad and gloomy aspects of life mentioned in the first part of the poem.


A2. Poetic Device  (2)

I hear the bright bee hum.
            (Write with explanation two figures of speech used in this sentence)

Q.3 B) Write an appreciation of the poem with the help of the points given below. (4) 
Sitting in a porch way cool,
Sunlight, I see, dying fast,
Twilight hastens on to rule.
Working hours have well-nigh past.
Shadows run across the lands:
But a sower lingers still,
Old, in rags, he patient stands.
Looking on, I feel a thrill.
Black and high, his silhouette
Dominates the furrows deep!
Now to sow the task is set.
Soon shall come a time to reap.
Marches he along the plain
To and fro, and scatters wide
From his hands the precious grain;
Muse I, as I see him stride.
Darkness deepens. Fades the light.
Now his gestures to mine eyes
Are august; and strange; his height
Seems to touch the starry skies
                                 
           
     a) Theme
b) Special Features 
c) Language   
d) Your opinion about the poem

Section III- Writing Skill

Q.4 A) Expand the idea inherent in the following proverb. (4)                                                                   
            A Bad workman blames his tools.
(Use the following points)
Points - 1) Explain the concept
 2) Give examples
 3) Message
OR

Q 4. A) Write a blog post on the following topic.   (4)                                                                       
         Personality Development
(Use the information given in the blog post)

Q. 4. B) Write a letter to the Principal of your college to grant concession in fees. (4)                                             
Use the following information-
Name – X.Y.Z., Std.XI Div. A, Stream- Science,
Unable to pay complete fees, request concession
Write to :- The Principal, Rashtriya Jr. College, Chalisgaon Dist. Jalgaon

OR
Q.4 B)  Write an e mail to your friend who has not contacted you for a long time. (4)                                   
Use the following template and write the e - mail


Section IV- Drama

Q.5. Give answers.  (4)
                                                                         
1) List the features of one act play.  (2)                                                                                             
Answer:-
i) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ii) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
iii)------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
iv) -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2) Choose the correct option giving definition of a plot (2)                                                                       
a) Plot is the theme of the drama.

b) Plot is the stage directions for the artists.

c) Plot is the logical sequence of the events.




-

Do as Directed

 It was dinner time when he finished . (Rewrite as simple sentence)

 On the hooks were more fish than the others had caught all together. (Change the degree) 

He has become the fourth -largest manufacturer of personal computers in America.(Rewrite in Future Perfect Tense) 

Michael Dell was the youngest man ever to head Fortune 500 corporation.(Change the degree)

Growing up in Houston, Texas, Michael and his two brothers were imbued by their parents.( Rewrite as compound sentence)

I wasn't a bad doctor. (Add a question tag)

I wasn't quite sure of myself. (Rewrite as affirmative)

I had successive ideas of specializing in dermatology, in aural surgery, in pediatrics but discarded them all. (Rewrite as simple sentence)

I took him around with me . (Change the voice)

When I saw the prizes and read the citation Chaitanya had received, I was stupefied. (Use  'No sooner......than')

He was a special child. (Rewrite as Rhetorical question)

One day , King Amrut and Chandan were taking a walk on the terrace of the palace. (Rewrite the sentence using Past Perfect Continuous Tense)

They could see far into the distance.( Use 'able to' )

He was delighted to see the prosperity of his kingdom.(Use gerund form of the underlined word)

What more could they ask for?(Rewrite as Assertive sentence)

Soon he walked up to the king and whispered something in his ears. ( Use 'No sooner....than')

"Did you like the story, Meenu?"Raghu asked. (Rewrite into Indirect speech)

I would show him my finger. (Use 'used to')

I would close the cage and put it near my pillow. (Rewrite as simple sentence)

At 6 sharp in the morning, he would start to be restless.( Frame wh-question to get the underline part as an answer)

When he became a fully grown up one , he began to go far and wide. (Use  'No sooner......than')

The bird was spotted in pairs almost everyday. (Change the voice)

How can they be seen? ( Rewrite as Assertive)

It is achievable. (Rewrite as negative)

All this is being done very efficiently and at a low cost.(Change into Active Voice)

Parking will be difficult and expensive. ( Use "not only .... but also)

People will use public transport rather than cars. (Make it less certain)

There are some glimmers of hope. (Add a question tag) 

They have excuses ready when they reach office late. (Identify the clause)

They have never seen a sunrise. (Change the voice)

She felt terrible about this tendency. (Rewrite as Exclamatory)

His father would undoubtedly be left shaking  his head and burying himself deeper into his newspaper. (Use 'not only...but also')

"They have promised that the funds we have given to initiate the process will be returned to us,"Mr. Pawar says.(Rewrite as Indirect speech) 

Can you please hold it for me? (What does underlined Modal Auxiliary indicate?)

It should keep for a while. (Replace the Modal Auxiliary with another indicating obligation)

Reuben respectfully touched his worn cap. (Rewrite the sentence using adjective form of the underlined word.)

He ran towards the sound and stopped at a construction site. ( Rewrite as simple sentence)

Dora had never received such a gift. (Rewrite in Present Perfect tense)

A religious ceremony was attended by nearly two lakh people.(Begin with -Nearly two.....)

As we were nearing the steps leading to a foot over bridge, people started pushing from behind. ( Use 'no sooner ... than' )

There was nothing she could do about it. (Rewrite as Rhetorical Question)

"They have promised that the funds that we have given to initiate the process will be returned to us," Mr. Pawar said. (Rewrite as Indirect Speech)

The school had no regular calendar. (Rewrite as Affirmative)

 India's present epoch maker has come over here to bless the state of Maharashtra. (Use gerund form of underlined word)

Both India and Maharashtra can progress only when there is oneness of interest. ( Use 'If ..not')

I had no anxiety and no high ambitions. ( Use 'neither......nor )

It was tough but intellectually satisfying. (Rewrite as complex sentence)

He brought the coconuts down. (Change the voice)

It is a book about the transformation of India. ( Begin with - 'The book....')  

Can anyone really conceive of a world without poverty? (Rewrite as Assertive Sentence)

KEY For The Above Exercise

Exam Elixir

Do as Directed

EXERCISE 1

1. I disliked the idea of making Omelette. [Make it Negative.]

2. Mother was not at home. [Add a question tag.]

3. As soon as Dave had begun his second year when he heard himself hopelessly swamped. [Use - 'No sooner---than]

4. Don't lose faith. [Add a question tag]

5. I used to spend hours under it. [ use- Modal Auxiliary 'would']

6. He was treated with respect. [Change the voice]

7. I have tried getting you into the kitchen. [Identify the tense]

8. She has played the role in Hollywood . [Rewrite in Present Perfect Continuous Tense.]

9. He may have laughed in the company of his friends. [What does the underlined word indicate -Permission OR Possibility]

10. The science class--(start) when Satish---(reach) the college. [Use suitable tense forms]

11. This is the greatest lesson in life. [ Change the degree]

12. Are they free from the burden of parental aspiration? [Rewrite as Assertive]

13. Let us resolve to give our children the freedom of childhood. [Add a question tag]

14. He is the right person to do this. [Make it Rhetorical]

15. Dean had been feeding him fresh rabbit's legs. [Identify the tense]

16. The problem was so difficult that I could not solve it. [Use-'too']

17. Girls and boys are given equal opportunity. [ Use-'not only-but also']

18. There was no electricity; no primary school. [ Use -'neither-nor']

19. What a pleasant idea! [Make it Assertive]

20. My father's moods were as hot as Chennai's climate. [Change the degree]

Key for Exercise 1

Exercise 2

1. Hitlar was the cruellest ruler in modern history.(Change the degree)

2. That is not the way a gentleman should behave.(Make it Rhetorical)

3. How great Shivaji Maharaj was! (Make assertive)

4. What a witty remark it is! ( Make assertive)

5. This is a very interesting novel. (Rewrite as exclamatory)

6. These boys are very brave. (Rewrite as exclamatory)

7. The boy was too exhausted to get out of the pool. (Use - 'so ---that')

8. This sum is difficult. (Make it negative)

9. This is not a slow local train. ( Make it affirmative)

10. There was --- tree on the hill. --- tree was lonely. ( Fill in the blanks with articles)

11. I received your kind letter. (Change the voice)

12. ....young should come forward to shoulder responsibility.(Fill in the blank with articles)

13. She put some water into the dog's dish. (Indentify the tense)

14. What a beautiful piece it is! (Rewrite as assertive)

15. He was an awful looking man. (Rewrite as exclamatory)

16. She set the alarm. (Begin the sentence with 'The alarm...')

17. Would he answer me?( Rewrite as assertive)

18. Sankalp has helped a total 22 SHGs. ( Change the voice)

19. The complaint was taken seriously.(Begin the sentence with 'Police took.....')

20. You didn't help her. (Change the voice)

KEY 2

1. COMP: Hitlar was crueller than any other ruler in modern history.

POSI: No other ruler in modern history was as cruel as Hitler.

2. Is that the way a gentleman should behave?

3. Shivaji Maharaj was very great.

4. It is indeed a witty remark.

5. What an interesting novel this is!

6. How brave these boys are!

7. The boy was so exhausted that he could not get out of the pool.

8. This sum is not easy.

9. This is a fast local train.

10. There was a tree on the hill. The tree was lonely.

11. Your kind letter was received by me.

12. The young should come forward to shoulder responsibility.

13. She put some water into the dog's dish. Simple Past Tense

14. It is a very beautiful piece.

15. What an awful looking man!

16. The alarm was set by her.

17. He would not answer me.

18. A total 22 SHGs have been helped by Sankalp.

19. Police took the complaint seriously.

20. She was not helped by you.

Exercise 3

1. We give it up and doze off. (Rewrite as simple)

2. A problem which had proved a hard nut to crack was solved yesterday in a jiffy. (Rewrite as simple)

3. Ganukaka was relating the story of a neighbor of his. ( Change the voice)

4. When the war started, there was a boom in the market. ( Use No sooner ….than)

5. His business was growing so fast that he had hardly time for a few hours’ sleep.(Use ‘too’)

6. Doctors recommended various medicines but the child lost its life.( Use ‘though’)

7. I …..(remember) an anecdote which I ……(read) recently.(Fill in the blanks with suitable tense forms of verbs given in bracket)

8. Lama had been doing penance for ages in a cave.( Identify the tense)

9. Many of them are struggling in many places.(Use Past perfect continuous)

10. Josh paused, watching his father’s light recede. (Rewrite in compound sentence)

11. This is the hole. The snakes live here. (Combine the sentences using relative pronoun) asked as a comment

12 The Ganga is -------sacred river.(Use suitable article in the blank space)Q.12 to 15 asked by a former student.

13. The dog sprang --------- the table.(Use suitable preposition in the blank space)

14. It appears, I haven't been to the theater ------- ages.(Use suitable preposition in the blank space)

15  Industrial wastes pollutes/pollute the atmosphere. (Rewrite using correct verb form)

16 Cricket is more popular than any other game in India. (Change into superlative degree)asked from blogger contact form.

17. We had a wonderful time last evening.(make it exclamatory sentence )asked from blogger contact form.

Key 3

1. Giving it up we doze off.

2. A problem having proved a hard nut to crack was solved yesterday in a jiffy.

3. The story of a neighbor of his was being related by Ganukaka

4. No sooner did the war start than there was a boom in the market.

5. His business was growing too fast to have any time for a few hours’ sleep.

6. Though Doctors recommended various medicines, the child lost its life.

7. I remembered an anecdote which I had read recently.

8. Lama had been doing penance for ages in a cave. Past Perfect Continuous Tense

9. Many of them had been struggling in many places.

10. Josh paused and watched his father’s light recede.

11. This is the hole where the snakes live .

12 The Ganga is a sacred river.

13. The dog sprang upon the table.

14. It appears, I haven't been to the theater for ages.

15  Industrial wastes pollute the atmosphere.

16 superlative : Cricket is the most popular game in India.

Positive :      No other game in India is as popular as cricket.

17. What a wonderful time we had last evening !

*१५ आॅक्टोंबर जागतिक हात धुवा दिवस विशेष लेख...*

सृदढ, निरोगी आरोग्यासाठी हात धुवा….

संवाद तज्ञ
उध्दव फड
९७६५५८८८००

आपल्याला एखादा आजार झाला की आपण त्यावरील विविध औषधे घेतो, उपाय करतो; परंतु मुळाशी जाऊन हा आजार कशामुळे झाला असेल हे जाणून घेत नाही. आपल्याला होणार्‍या अनेक आजारांचे मूळ हे आपल्या अस्वच्छ हातांमध्ये असते. अशुद्ध, अस्वच्छ हातांनी अन्नपदार्थ हाताळल्यामुळे, खाल्ल्यामुळे अनेक जीवाणू आपल्या पोटात जात असतात आणि त्यातून विविध प्रकारच्या आजारांना आमंत्रण मिळत असते. म्हणूनच हस्तशुद्धीबाबत जागृती करण्यासाठी जगभरात 15 ऑक्टोबर हा दिवस ‘जागतिक हात धुवा दिन’ म्हणून साजरा केला जातो. त्यानिमित्ताने उध्दव फड यांचा  हा विशेष लेख…
आपल्या जीवनात स्वच्छतेचे महत्त्व आरोग्याच्या दृष्टीने किती आहे, हे आपण सारेच जाणतो. पण कधी सकाळी उठल्यावर आपण अंथरूणातच चहा घ्यायची वाईट सवय लावून घेत आहोत. पाश्‍चात्त्यांच्या अंधानुकरणातून कितीतरी घाणेरड्या सवयी आपण लावून घेत आहोत, हे मात्र खरे! आपल्या संस्कृतीने देवपूजेतही सोळा उपचार (षोडषोपचार) सांगितले आहेत. त्यात *हस्त मुख प्रक्षालयामि*। असा एक विधी सांगितला आहे.
हात धुण्याचे महत्त्व आपण नियमित पाळतोच. परंतु इंग्रजांच्या काळात किंवा जगात झालेल्या दोन महायुद्धांच्या आणि औद्योगिक क्रांतीच्या काळात तसेच नव्या सहस्रकात आलेल्या जागतिकीकरणाच्या लाटेत आमचे सगळेच संस्कार, शिष्टाचार आणि चांगल्या सवयी लयाला गेल्या असाव्यात की काय, अशी शंका येते. आधुनिकीकरणाच्या नावावर आमच्या जुन्या रीतीरिवाजांना नावे ठेवण्याची किंवा ते मोडीत काढूनच आपण जणु सुधारणावादी आहोत, असे मिरवण्याची पद्धत हिंदुस्थानात आली आहे.
एखादी गोष्ट आपल्याला पाश्‍चात्त्य देश सांगतात तेव्हा आपल्याला त्याचे महत्त्व पटते आणि आपण ते अंगीकारण्याचा अट्टहास करतो. आज 15 ऑक्‍टोबर आहे. या दिवशी संयुक्त राष्ट्रांनी आम्हाला जागतिक हात धुणे दिवस साजरा करण्याचा पायंडा पाडून दिला आहे.
संयुक्त राष्ट्र सन 2008 मध्ये या विषयी जागरूक झाले. इबोला नावाचा महाभयंकर रोग अस्तित्वात आला. आफ्रिकेत त्याने आपला प्रताप दाखवला आणि सगळे जगच सावध झाले.जागतिक हात धुणे दिवसाच्या निमित्ताने लोकांना हात धुण्याची ही चांगली सवय लागावी, त्यांच्या मनात त्याचे महत्त्व ठसवावे, या विषयी जनजागरण व्हावे, हा हेतू संयुक्त राष्ट्रसंघाने 15 ऑक्‍टोबर हा दिवस जागतिक हात धुणे दिवस म्हणून मुक्रर केला आहे. संपूर्ण दिवसभरात 15 ऑक्‍टोबर रोजी विविध कार्यक्रम घेऊन हात धुण्याविषयी तेही साबण लावून लोकांना माहिती दिली पाहिजे, असा संयुक्त राष्ट्रांचा आग्रह आहे.
या दिवसाची सुरुवात 2008 मध्ये फिलिपिन्स मधील सिटी सेंट्रल स्कूल मध्ये झाली. 2015 मध्ये लुपोत सेंट्रल एलिमेंटरी स्कूल इस्टन समार येथे हा दिवस अतिशय उत्साहाने साजरा झाला. आफ्रिकेतील इबोलाच्या साथीने संयुक्त राष्ट्राला हात धुणे दिवस साजरा करण्याची प्रेरणा दिली. योग्य आरोग्य पद्धती जनमानसात रुजविण्यासाठी आणि ही चांगली सवय जनसामान्यांपर्यंत पोचविण्यासाठी संयुक्त राष्ट्र 2008 पासून प्रयत्नशील आहे.
भारताचे पंतप्रधान नरेंद्र मोदी यांनी स्वच्छतेचे महत्त्व जाणून हा दिवस दरवर्षी  देशभर मोठ्या प्रमाणात राबविला जात आहे.   बाहेरून आल्यावर, शौचाला जाऊन आल्यावर आणि जेवायला बसण्यापूर्वी साबणाने हात धुण्याची सवय सर्वांनी लावून घ्यावी, यासाठी संयुक्त राष्ट्रांनी मोहीम उघडली आहे. आता शालेय विद्यार्थ्यांना या दिवसाचे महत्त्व पटले आहे. काही शाळांनी शाळा सुरू होण्यापूर्वी म्हणजे प्रार्थनेच्या वेळीच हात धुऊनच शाळा सुरू करण्याची प्रथा पाडली असून ती परंपरा आता पुढे सुरू ठेवली आहे. विद्यार्थ्यांना या सवयीचे महत्त्व पटले की ते समाजात बदल घडविण्यास मदत करू शकतील, असे संयुक्त राष्ट्रांना वाटते.
साबणाने हात धुण्याची सवय लोकांना लागावी यासाठी पीपीपीओचडब्ल्य ही संस्था प्रयत्नशील आहे. या संस्थेन युनिसेफच्या सहकार्याने हा उपक्रम राबविला आहे. या कामात त्यांना प्रॉक्‍टर अँड गॅंबल, लंडन स्कूल ऑफ हायजिन, ट्रॉपिकल मेडिसिन, युनिलिव्हर, युनिव्हर्सिटी ऑफ बुलियानो यांचे सहकार्य लाभत आहे. जागतिक बॅंक या कामासाठी मदत करीत आहे. वॉटर सप्लाय अँड सॅनिटेशन कोलॅबोरेटिव्ह कौन्सिल संयुक्तरीत्या काम करीत आहेत.

आपल्याकडे संतांनी देहाला मंदिर म्हटले आहे आणि आत्म्याला परमेश्‍वर; पण हे शरीर निरोगी असेल तरच त्या देहाचे मंदिर होऊ शकते. आजच्या भाषेत सांगायचे तर आयुष्य चांगले आणि निरोगी जगायचे असेल तर स्वच्छता महत्त्वाची आहे. त्याची सुरुवात हातांच्या स्वच्छतेपासून व्हायला हवी. कारण बहुतांश वेळा रोगांचे आजारांचे जंतू हे हातातूनच पोटात जातात. त्यामुळे रोगजंतूंपासून स्वतःचा बचाव करायचा असेल तर हात स्वच्छ धुण्याची आवश्यकता आहे. हात स्वच्छ धुतल्याने शरीर निरोगी राहते. याच प्रेरणेतून जागतिक स्तरावर हस्तशुद्धीची मोहीम सुरू झाली. आपल्याकडे प्राचीन आयुर्वेदात मुखाचे आरोग्य चांगले असेल तर एकूण आरोग्य चांगले राहते, असे म्हटले आहे. कारण, पाणी किंवा आहार हा तोंडावाटेच पोटात जातो; पण आता बदलत्या हवामानात ज्या हाताने आपण तोंडात घास घालतो ते स्वच्छ असणे ही पहिली पायरी मानली आहे. 2008 मध्ये स्टॉकहोम शहरात जागतिक पाणी सप्ताहाची परिषद भरली होती. तिथून हस्तशुद्धी मोहिमेचा श्रीगणेशा झाला. यात सामान्य जनतेचा सहभाग असण्याची गरज आहे. त्यासाठी व्यापक प्रबोधन आवश्यक आहे. त्यासाठीच 15 ऑक्टोबर हा जागतिक हस्तशुद्धी दिन म्हणून साजरा केला जातो. 2008 मध्ये तो पहिल्यांदा पाळण्यात आला. शाळकरी विद्यार्थ्यांमध्ये हाताच्या स्वच्छतेचे बीज रुजवणे हा यामागचा प्रमुख उद्देश आहे. कारण, लहान मुलांमध्ये मुळातच स्वच्छतेबाबत फारशी जागरुकता नसते. मातीतले खेळ, भटकणे, अस्वस्छतेची जाण नसणे यामुळे मुलांमध्ये स्वच्छतेच्या अभावामुळे होणारे आजार मोठ्या प्रमाणावर दिसून येतात. याचे मूळ कारण म्हणजे मुले अन्न खाताना हात स्वच्छ धुवत नाहीत. त्यामुळेच बहुतांश शाळकरी मुलांमध्ये हगवणीसारखे पोटाचे विकार अधिक प्रमाणात होताना दिसतात. ते टाळण्यासाठी विद्यार्थ्यांना प्रेरणा दिली गेली. जगभरात हात स्वच्छ न धुता अन्नग्रहण केल्यामुळे पोटामध्ये विविध जंतू जाऊन होणार्‍या आजारांमुळे दरवर्षी 35 लाख मुले दगावतात, असे काही अभ्यासकांनी निदर्शनास आणून दिले आहे. त्यामुळे अतिशय सोप्या स्वच्छतेचे महत्त्व विद्यार्थ्यांना पटवून दिले गेले. हात स्वच्छ असतील तर श्‍वसनाचे विकार आणि पचनाचे विकार यांचे प्रमाण कमी होते. त्यामुळे गरीब आणि विकसनशील देशांत याचा प्रसार करण्यासाठी ‘युनिसेफ’ने खूप उपक्रम राबवले. त्यातून 2008 हे आंतरराष्ट्रीय स्वच्छता वर्ष म्हणून घोषित केले गेले. त्याचाच एक भाग म्हणून 15 ऑक्टोबर हा जागतिक हात धुवा दिन सुरू झाला.
*हात कधी धुवावे*
> स्वयंपाकाची तयारी करण्याआधी
>  जेवायला बसण्यापूर्वी आणि जेवण झाल्यावर
> जेवायला वाढण्यापूर्वी
> शौचालयात जाऊन आल्यावर
> मुलांचे लंगोट, कपडे बदलल्यावर
> कोणत्याही रुग्ण किंवा आजारी व्यक्तीला भेटल्यानंतर
> खोकला, सर्दी झाल्यावर नाक स्वच्छ केल्यावर
> प्राण्याला हात लावल्यावर
> केरकचरा काढल्यावर
> बाहेरून आल्यावर
> वाहनातून प्रवास केल्यावर
> पैसे मोजल्यावर
^ केस विंचरल्यावर
आपण सकाळी उठल्यावर प्रातर्विधी करून झाले की स्वयंपाकाला सुरुवात करण्यापूर्वी हात धुतोच; पण जाणीवपूर्वक वरील सर्व वेळी हात धुतलेच पाहिजेत. त्यामुळे अर्थातच पोटात जंतू जाण्यापासून अटकाव होईल.
*हात किती वेळ आणि कसे धुवावेत*
शास्त्रीयदृष्ट्या किमान 20 सेकंद हात चोळून मग पाण्याने धुवावेत. यासाठी हात ओले करून घ्यावेत. मग हातावर पुरेसा द्रव साबण किंवा साबणवडी लावून घ्या. दोन्ही हात एकमेकांमध्ये गुंतवून दोन्ही हाताला साबण चोळून घ्यावा. सगळीकडे नीट साबण लागल्यावर दोन्ही हातांचे तळवे, बोटं, नखं हे सर्व चांगले चोळावे. बोटांच्या मधल्या भागांतही चांगले चोळावे. त्यानंतर पाण्याने हात स्वच्छ धुवावेत आणि स्वच्छ कोरड्या टॉवेलने पुसून घ्यावेत. आपली नखे जर वाढवलेली असतील तर नखांमधील घाणही काढावी.
*पाण्याची कमतरता असल्यास*
 आपल्याकडे पाणीटंचाईची समस्या अनेकदा असते. अशा काळात सातत्याने हात धुणे शक्य नसते. प्रवासातही हा प्रश्‍न उद्भवतो. यावर सॅनिटायझर हा एक चांगला पर्याय आहे. सॅनिटायझर हातात घेऊन दोन्ही हात चांगले चोळा. बोटे, बोटांमधील भाग, नखे तसेच उलट सुलट भागांवर सॅनिटायझर लावून चांगले चोळा. या सर्व प्रक्रियेला मिनिटभराचा वेळ लागतो; पण हात सुकल्यानंतर ते स्वच्छ होतात. जागतिक आरोग्य संघटनेच्या निर्देशांनुसार वीस ते पंचवीस सेकंद हात चोळले तर किटाणू नष्ट होतात. त्यामुळे वेळोवेळी हात धुतले पाहिजेत.
हात सतत धुतल्याने काहींना त्वचा कोरडी झाल्यासारखी वाटू शकते. अशा वेळेला हात धुण्यासाठी कोमट पाण्याचा वापर करू शकतो. साबण लावून हात चोळून कोमट पाण्याने स्वच्छ धुवा. टॉवेलने कोरडे केल्यानंतर हाताला मॉईश्‍चरायझर लावता येईल. त्यामुळे त्वचा शुष्क होण्याची भीती राहणार नाही.
हातांची स्वच्छता ही आपल्या शारीरिक स्वच्छतेची पहिली पायरी आहे. हातांपासूनच तर रोजच्या कामांना आपण सुरुवात करतो. त्यामुळे लहानपणी आपल्याला शिकवलेल्या स्वच्छतेच्या गोष्टी आपण मुलांना शिकवताना पुन्हा आपल्या अंगी बाणवा त्यामुळे मुलांचे आणि आपलेही आरोग्य आपल्याच हातात राहील.
संतांनी म्हणून ठेवले आहे की
*‘नाही निर्मल जीवन, काय करील साबण*’ तशाच प्रकारे आता ‘करा हाताची स्वच्छता, तरच आहे जीवन निर्मल राहण्याची शक्यता’ हेही सांगितले गेले पाहिजे.
सदर लेखासाठी इंटरनेटचे संदर्भ घेतले असून शब्दांकन मी केले आहे.जे जे आपणासी ठावे,ते सकळासी सांगावे ...हा जनहितार्थ म्हणुन लेखन प्रपंच केला आहे.
🙏🏻
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