THE FREE RADIO QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

 

Short Essay Type Questions with Answers

Q. 1. Comment on the character of thief ‘s widow.

Ans. In “Free Radio” by Salman Rushdie, the writer presents a clear socio and political picture of the then society through the character, thief’s widow. She not only the represents every widow in patriarchal society but also probably, she is the shadow of Mrs. Indira Gandhi, prime minister of our country. The writer draws this character significantly to show the attitude of patriarchy towards widows.

He denotes no name to the character as she becomes the symbol of a particular class. At the same time, nobody was agree to accept self identity of women. They were known by the name of fathers, husbands or sons the patriarchy figures.

The teacher Sahib, representative of East culture blames the widow everytime in every context. Though Ramani falls in love with her, the teacher blames her showing the patriarchal attitude towards women. Therefore, he suggests her to spent her remaining life in a religious place. Even, being a representative of patriarchal society, he suspects regarding her physical virginity when she buy some dals from bohia shop. But she is not so called ‘obedient woman’ under patriarchy rather Rushdie presents her as a protesting lady who counters against the teacher when he addresses her ‘thief ‘s widow’. She jerkes her face and calls him a ‘poisonous old man’ when he instructs her to leave from Ramani’s life.

The writer makes a connection between the widow and Vasantasena (Mricchakatíkam) as both of them are able to snatch their rights from patriarchal society. On the other hand, the widow can be considered as the shadow of Mrs. Indira Gandhi who makes men sterilized to reduce population in emergency period. Alluring of attractive Radio,she compels the youths including Ramani to make themselves sterilized. Equally, the widow compels Ramani to be sterilized if he wants to marry her. Both of them want no more children. Equally, when Ramani gets merciless beating by the followers of Mrs. Gandhi, both of the widow and Mrs. Gandhi remain silent. None of them do anything constructive to protect him.

The widow is very much self centred that is why she never tries to pull Ramani from the wrong way which finally destroys his life.

On the other hand, probably the widow represents western culture which helps to improve our Eastern culture. Marrying Ramani, 10 years younger than her, she breaks the banal convention that a widow can’t marry. At the same time, she challenges the society regarding age difference in case of marriage. She denies the concept that women have to produce children after marriage. She takes it as a personal choice. Thus she becomes a kind of “New woman” and spreads a message to every suppressed woman in patriarchal society. She compares Ramani’s look with Lord Krishna. There is a touch of making difference between dark and fair skin tones. For sake of the widow, he moves towards Bombay, western land.

So, it can be said that the character, thief’s widow is very much complicated and significant.

 

Q. 2. Comment on the character Ramani.

Characterisation is an important part of literature. A successful characterisation indicates the socio-economic and political condition of the then society. Ans. In “Free Radio” by Salman Rushdie, the protagonist Ramani is not only the representative of delusional human beings but also he himself becomes a medium to spread messages regarding the attractive prize, radio, to the people.

According to the teacher sahib, though Ramani is well looked, he is dull headed. He doesn’t know who are his actual friends and who turn him towards destruction. Ramani has an indomitable desire to be a popular hero and his companions use it as source of earning money for their cards and illegal liquors.

Ramani has an another dream to achieve a brand new radio which makes his life miserable.

He represents all human beings who were sterilized by force or with their willing. Probably, he doesn’t get sterilized for the sake of nation in such emergency period, rather he does it to achieve a brand new radio and to marry the widow who puts condition that she would marry him if he gets sterilized.

Ramani, an orphan, himself becomes a medium like radio making aware of every human being that they can win a brand new radio in exchange of getting sterilized for the sake of nation. He becomes an example also to show Indian people what would happen if they trust the trap by government i.e. making themselves sterilized to have that gift.

Using the boy as a tool, the writer indicates the theme ‘achievement and lose’. He expects a brand new attractive radio as prize and the widow as his wife but ultimately he loses a lot. He loses his manhood, doesn’t get any radio rather he loses his rickshaw and his fatherland also. He loses his faith on government whom we consider as our second parental shadow.

On the other hand, probably he carries both of Eastern and Western culture. Primarily, he holds Eastern culture and gradually he becomes the carrier of Western one in the touch of the widow. He breaks the cheap convention that widow cannot marry again. He denies the age restriction regarding bride and groom. Writer portrays this character differently violating patriarchal concept. Even, leaving his parental home (eastern land) he moves towards Bombay (western land).

So, to conclude, we can certify this rustic character as a important and significant one.

 

Q. 3. Justify the title of “Free Radio”.

Or,

Comment on the symbolic significance of Radio.

Ans. Title is one of the most important parts of literature as it gives an advance idea regarding the theme of the text. Therefore, it should be very much perfect and significant. Now, we can take an attempt to judge if the title “Free Radio” is appreciate or not. The writer, Salman Rushdie denotes the title “Free Radio” to indicate the socioeconomic and political scenario of that time.

The radio is a symbol of ‘achievement and lose’ of Ramani, as well as every youths who dream to have a brand new radio but using their dream as a weapon government makes them sterilized. Ramani expected to achieve both of radio as prize and the widow as his wife but unfortunately, though he can marry the widow, he doesn’t get that radio. He loses his manhood, parental land, rickshaw and also the faith on government.

Through the radio, the writer shows how the youths of this generation make their lives spoiled running behind such delusional dreams.

If we consider the widow as Mrs. Indira Gandhi who snatches manhood of a lot of youths to control population, we can undoubtedly say the marriage between Ramani and the widow is equal to the radio which is actually a trap to fulfill her (Mrs. Gandhi) intention.

At that time, radio was the most powerful medium to control people. The name ‘All India Radio’ gets transformed into ‘All Indira Radio’ which proves how government completely captures the medium to spread the news on behalf of themselves.

Radio explores the falsity of government. Though they promise to its citizens to gift a brand new radio if they gets sterilized for the sake of national interests, ultimately betray with Ramani and many other youths. Ramani has to pay back for trusting government.

On the other hand, he himself becomes an agency like radio to spread news on behalf of government. He is an example for others how the lust for radio can fall in destruction.

It can be said that as radio controls people through radio, the patriarchal figures control women spreading their false and cheap moral words, in the same way. After a close analysis, we can definitely certify the title “Free Radio” as perfect and appropriate.

 

Q. 4. Comment on the character, the teacher sahib.

Ans. “Free Radio” By Salman Rushdie is a first person narrative. The teacher sahib is one of the most important characters of this short story. He is a old former teacher who belongs in high status of society and he is the narrator of this narrative. He is a rustic character.

We know that a teacher is the guide of society. The writer, Salman Rushdie cunningly portrays character, teacher as the narrator. Through his narrative regarding Ramani’s downfall we get a moral lesson that delusion leads us towards destruction. On the other hand, We see that the teacher himself becomes the carrier of banal and rotten conventions rather than enlightening our society. Rushdie somehow indicates that we are programmed wrongly by the guardians of our family and leader of our society.

Being the narrator of the writing, he not only clarifies the characteristics of every major and minor characters but also he explores the socio-economic and political scenarios of society. He describes Ramani as a good looking but an innocent boy who faces his downfall. He describes that his dead father left a brand new rickshaw with plastic warped seat. He describes about the thief’s widow who has five children and gets married with Ramani. Probably, he slightly gives an indication that the widow stands for Mrs. Indira Gandhi who is the cause of misfortune of youths of the country.

Teacher sahib comments also about the Ramani’s so called companions who take money from Ramani making him fool, for cards and illegal drinks. Through the narrator we can get the intrigues by government who makes the youths sterilized alluring them with a brand new attractive radio. The teacher sahib represents the patriarchal society who blames none but women in every cases. He blames the widow and uses rough words to her though Ramani falls in love for her. He suggests her to spend her remaining life in religious places. Even he doubts about her physical virginity.

We can establish the teacher sahib as a matured man who predicts about Ramani’s upcoming downfall.

He plays the role of guardian figure of Ramani, an orphan. He takes care of him and warns Ramani to stay away from his evil companions and from the self centred widow.

The man undoubtedly represents the East conservative culture. According to him, a widow cannot marry again. Even he is angry to see that the bride is ten years older than the groom which is unusual in the eye of society.

So, finally we can say that the teacher is portrayed significantly.

Q. 5. How does Salman Rushdie present the concept of East and West?

Ans. “Free Radio” written by Salman Rushdie which is contained with a lot of dimensions like women’s position in patriarchy dominated society, political scenario of the then society and so on, is an ideal example of a Post colonial text. It also deals with the theme of East and West through the activities of various characters of this text.

At the very first, we will discuss about the narrator, the old teacher sahib. The narrator describes that they gather under a baniyaan tree for gossiping which is an important part of Eastern culture. He carries the old Eastern conventions like a widow cannot marry again to restart a new life and an older lady cannot marry a boy younger than her.

On the other hand, through the character, the thief’s widow, Salman Rushdie includes the well aspects of Western culture which can improve our society. The widow represents the Western culture. Breaking the banal conventions of eastern culture, she marries again even a boy who is ten years younger than her. She denies the social order that women have to conceive if after getting married. Being a lady in patriarchal society, she rejects Ramani’s marriage proposal saying that she would never conceive which is not usual in our society. She makes protest when patriarchy insults her. There is a slight touch of racial discrimination. Therefore, the widow compares Ramani with Lord Krishna who is with dark skin tone. For the initiative of her, Ramani goes to a western land, Bombay.

And finally, the character Ramani mingles both of Eastern and Western culture. Primarily, he lives in Eastern land and ultimately he moves towards Bombay, a Western land. Breaking the cheap patriarchal convention he marries a widow woman who is ten years older than him. These are very much usual in western countries.

Thus, Rushdie presents both of Eastern culture and Western culture in this text.

Q. 6. Comment on the ending of “Free Radio”.

Ans. The short story “Free Radio” not only deals with how Mrs. Indira Gandhi, the ruling power of government betrays the youths of our country making them sterilized alluring them of brand new attractive radio, but also through this text Salman Rushdie shows the pity condition of women in patriarchal society. Making Ramani a representative of all youths of the country, the writer shows that they make their lives destroyed running behind delusion. On the other hand, through the thief’s widow Rushdie indicates the unfair situation of every widow woman in patriarchal society. At the same time, he presents her as the shadow of Mrs. Indira Gandhi who snatches the manhood of the youths by alluring them.

 

At about the end of the story, we see that selling the rickshaw, Ramani moves towards Bombay to be a famous hero in film industry. He goes to a western land leaving Eastern land through which the writer covers the concept Eastern culture and Western culture. Perhaps, he shows how the our countrymen consider the western countries superior than their own land.

Ramani sends letter written by professional writers, to the narrator who is the only wellwisher of him. The letters are contained with news about his new career. He describes in his letters that he spends his days with the widow at Sun’s Sand Hotel at juhu beach. Probably these all are true which Ramani describes, or probably, he is lying to hide his unexpected sufferings in Bombay. Again, it can be said that, it is his another delusion to spend such a pleasurable life which was seen before to have his dreamy brand new radio. It is not clear to the readers what actually happened there. It is an important feature of short stories.

Throughout this writing, especially through the ending, Rushdie has covered the themes of identity crisis, alienation, homelessness, displacement and so on which are important features of post modern literature.

Ramani being the representative of every post modern human beings suffers from identity crisis when he can’t get his craved radio even losing his manhood. It leads him towards alienation. He leaves his parental land with another delusional dream. He is actually psychologically homeless and displaced.

Probably, Salman Rushdie gives a moral teaching to the readers not to run behind delusion forgetting the reality.

Thus the text “Free Radio” by Salman Rushdie ends interestingly and significantly.

Q. 7. Do you find any significant meaning when Ramani replies “it is in national interest”?

Ans. In “Free Radio” by Salman Rushdie, when narrator, the old teacher sahib blames the widow for provoking Ramani to be sterilized, Ramani replies that that is in national interest. He also says that sterilization cannot stop love making and his beloved doesn’t want anymore children. Therefore he does it happily.

It not only shows Ramani’s heartfelt love for the widow. He even sacrifices his manhood i.e to have the taste of fatherhood for her. Perhaps, Rushdie presents the widow as the shadow of Indira Gandhi as both of them compels Ramani, the representative of the young generation of our country, to sacrifice his manhood to fulfill their own interests. other hand, his words in favor of himself that he has make himself sterilised for the sake of nation, indicates how the government controlled by Mrs. Indira Gandhi manipulates the young generation and make them sterilised to control population in country.

Probably, Ramani has not got sterilized for the sake of nation rather he has done it to get the free radio which is actually a trap by the government. This happening proves the falsity of government. It also shows how delusion can lead us towards destruction.

Therefore, this quoted line becomes very much significant.

 

Q. 8. Comment on the New Youths Movement as described in “The Free Radio”.

Ans. Salman Rushdie in “The Free Radio”, excellently presented the brainwashed young generation of 1970s under the semi dictatorial regime of Indira Gandhi. The dictatorial government under the totalitarian leadership of Indira Gandhi successfully colonised the thought and psychology of the contemporary youths by injecting into their mind the false patriotism which, like narcotic, leads them to the successful execution of sterilization programme.

It was injected into their mind that at the hard time of Emergency period, if increase of population can be checked, it will be a patriotic contribution in the recovery and progress of nation. The youths, therefore go through the process of sterilization and gets united to make a movement, namely the New Youths Movement, in order to help government to bring and encourage the young men to go through this inhuman program in the name of the brainwashed concept of “national interest”

Even these youths become violent, whenever necessary, to beat the people who begin to rebel against this programme. They wear an armband as a symbol of their Movement. These youths are mentioned in “The Free Radio” also in the form of Ramani’s friends who make money by flattering Ramani, and drink illegal liquor in Irani’s canteen and beat him after a disagreement occurs between the government, represented by the white caravan, and Ramani.

In “the Free Radio”, Ramani stands for the naive and young men of our country in 1970s whom the government, along with their different aparatus like the New Youth Movement, traps through the false interpretation of patriotism in the name of “national interest” as Ramani says to the teacher sahib in his reply after going through sterilization with the promise of having a new branded first-class battery operated transistor radio. Even, giving radio as a Thanksgiving gift becomes symbolic as under the semi dictatorial leadership of Indira Gandhi, All India Radio had become “All Indira Radio”. Radio, as a strong mass medium, becomes a tool in the hand of the government to brainwash the contemporary youths.

Even, how terrible the youths with armband had become in the then period becomes more clear with the decision of the teacher sahib to change his sitting position due the vicinity of those violent youths who began to guard the caravan which may symbolically stand for the nation itself.

Q. 9. Why does the narrator think that “it was an investment for her”?

Ans. According to the narrator, though the children of the thief’s widow must be remain hungry due to having lack of proper money to arrange food, she rides on rickshaw which is a primary investment for her because in very near future she would put all responsibilities of herself and her five children upon Ramani.

Being matured enough about life, the old teacher can foresee what is going to happen with his dear Ramani. It is an indication that Ramani have to carry their responsibilities.

The teacher sahib is undoubtedly a representative of patriarchal society who is always ready to criticize women, especially if she is a widow woman. According to them a widow should not lead a luxurious life rather she should sacrifice herself for the sake of her family forgetting her own desires and likings.

Q. 10. “The next time the thief’s widow came into the street to visit the bania shop I decided to act.” – What was the act?

Ans. The narrator, teacher sahib called the thief’s widow for the sake of his dear Ramani. It was the act described by the speaker who was concerned for Ramani, an orphan.

Teacher sahib did not call her by her name as it might cause of affecting his position. Probably, Salman Rushdie did not denote any name to the widow cunningly as she was not any particular figure rather she represented every woman in patriarchal society.

On the other hand, it can be said that the patriarchal society doesn’t accept self identity of women going beyond someone’s daughter, wife or mother. Even the pity condition of widows was also expressed through the line. There was no trace of respect for a lady in our society.

On the other side, the widow might the shadow of Mrs. Indira Gandhi who snatched the manhood of every youth of our country alluring them, as the widow did with Ramani.

Teacher is that person whom we expect to make our society enlightened removing every darkness of our society. He stands for the guardian figures of society. But we see that he became the carrier of rotten mentality. Therefore he called the lady in that way proving himself an uncultured human being. It was also indicated that our programming regarding mannerism and how to behave with women is getting wrongly.

Q. 11. “My idiot child, you let that woman deprive of your manhood” – Explain.

Ans. This quoted line is extracted from “Free Radio” by Salman Rushdie. In the context of Ramani’s reply that he has sacrifices his manhood to have the widow as his wife, the teacher sahib gets angry of him and condemns Ramani for his foolishness.

When Ramani and the thief’s widow gets married, the teacher sahib understands the actual fact i.e, Ramani must have sacrificed his manhood as the woman has already put a condition that she would marry him if he makes himself sterilized. Knowing everything regarding this the teacher sahib gets extreamly angry.

Through this quoted line not only his affection towards the orphan, Ramani gets expressed but also his patriarchy attitude is indicated as he blames the widow indirectly for everything has happened with Ramani.

Perhaps, this woman is the shadow of Mrs. Indira Gandhi. Both of them makes the youths sterilized alluring them. In one hand, it shows the falsity of government, on the other hand, it shows how the youths destroy their lives running behind delusional dreams. Ramani’s unconditional love for the widow has also expressed. He doesn’t think twice to sacrifice the taste of fatherhood, forever in exchange of having his beloved as his wife.

Probably, it is not the only reason to go to the caravan rather he does it to get a brand new radio which is declared to be given to the youths who would help government to control population in emargency period making themselves sterilized.

Ans. Q. 12. Why does the narrator think that “nothing good would happen” to Ramani?

In “Free Radio”, the narrator, teacher sahib thinks that “nothing good would happen” to Ramani, an innocent boy as he is under the evil impact of the thief’s widow. In one hand, he is concerned of Ramani, an orphan. He is a wellwisher of him.

Such a rotten thinking of the teacher sahib, proves himself as an agency of patriarchal society who is always prepared to blame women in every cases. No matter she has done anything wrong or not.

Being a teacher whom we expect to make our society enlightened, carries such banal thinking which shows that we are programed wrongly.

On the other hand, the old teacher is a matured man who can predict what would happen with Ramani in very near future. Being a matured human being, he see the shadow of the totalitarian figure, Mrs. Indira Gandhi whose ominous present would destroy the future of Ramani as well as every youths in our country.

Q. 13. “…because at this time, Ramani suddenly began to talk about his new fantasy , telling everyone he could find that very shortly he was going to receive a highly special and personalized gift from the central government in Delhi.” – Explain.

Ans. The quoted lines have been extracted from “The Free Radio” by Salman Rushdie. In the context of showing how the naive and young people like Ramani, during the period of Emergency, became brainwashed and psychologically colonised by the semi dictatorial figure like Indira Gandhi in the name of false patriotism like “national interest”, the teacher Sahib uttered these lines.

Though the teacher Sahib heard the rumours regarding inhuman sterilization in the caravan, he didn’t pay any attention to it. When he saw Ramani’s madness about the free radio as a thanksgiving gift from the central government, he decided to think on it. Actually, through these lines, the author, through the narrator, shows the depth of psychological colonisation of the naive young generation who voluntarily got trapped in the evil intention of central government in the name of sterilization programme. The semi dictatorial government injected into the minds of naive youths the false interpretations of patriotism in the name of “national interest “.

Q. 14. “And in the rickshaw behind him sat the thief’s widow, who had not been able to resist coming along to watch her companion’s destruction.” – Explain.

Ans. The following lines are quoted from “The Free Radio” by Salman Rushdie. In the context of showing the indifferent attitude of the “witch”, i.e, thief’s widow towards Ramani, the teacher sahib uttered these lines.

As Ramani didn’t get his long desired thanksgiving gift like free radio for the long period of time, he went to the caravan to get it only to be beaten mercilessly by the arm banded violent youths and to be thrown away to the street with emitting of blood through his mouth which is described as “destruction “. Though Ramani entered the caravan, the widow never accompanied Ramai, her companion, to the caravan. The way Indira Gandhi remained indifferent to the young men, the thief’s widow did the same which make the reader to think of her as the representative of Indira Gandhi.

Short Questions with Answers

Q. 1. “We all knew” What did they know? –

Ans. In “Free Radio” by Salman Rushdie, the narrator (teacher sahib) describes that he and the local people knew that nothing good would happen to Ramani as he was under the evil impact of the widow who stands for Mrs. Indira Gandhi. Their comments somehow show the patriarchal attitude towards towards widow women.

Q. 2. How did the narrator describe Ramani?

Ans. In “Free Radio” by Salman Rushdie, the narrator, teacher sahib describes Ramani as an innocent boy and a donkey’s child whom none can teach the right one. The narrator says that he would definitely fall in danger.

Q. 3. What is Ramani’s “own trade”? What does the narrator think so?

Ans. The narrator describes that Ramani’s father leaves a brand new cycle rickshaw with plastic cover for him and he has his own looks too. These are called his ‘own trade’.

Ramani is a good looking boy and he has a brand new attractive cycle rickshaw. Therefore, he could have a good wife in future making these capitals. Actually, it is a criticism against institution of marriage where looks and money does matter going beyond love.

On the other hand, Ramani could make enough profits using the cycle rickshaw as his own trade’.

 

Q. 4. What did Ramani’s father leave for him before his death?

Ans. According to the narrator, teacher sahib, Ramani’s father left a brand new cycle rickshaw with plastic covered seat and other things for him before his death

 

Q. 5. Why did the narrator feel bad for Ramani? 

Ans. The narrator, teacher sahib felt bad for Ramani to see that falling in love for a thief’s widow he destroys his future though there was enough possibility of getting a good life of his own.

This attitude of teacher sahib indicates that he concerns for Ramani.

. In “Free Radio” By Salman Rushdie, the teacher sahib narrates that Ramani falls in love for the thief’s widow making his own future destroyed. Being an agency of patriarchy, he blames the widow for it.

6. Why does the narrator blame the widow?

Ans It shows the patriarchal attitude towards women. Though Ramani feels love for her, he blames her rather than blaming Ramani. Patriarchal society blames women in every cases.

On the other side, the widow represents Mrs. Indira Gandhi. Therefore, through blaming her, probably the narrator blames the government ruling by Mrs. Indira Gandhi, for destroying the future of youths who are represented by Ramani.

Q. 7. How did narrator describe the widow?

Ans. In “Free Radio” the narrator denotes no name to the thief’s widow which not only indicates that she stands for every widow in patriarchal society, but also it indicates the attitude of patriarchal society who doesn’t accept women’s self identity. The narrator describes that she is undoubtedly attractive looking and ten years older than Ramani. She has five children alive and two are already dead. According to the narrator, her mentality is little vicious and rotten. He explains that she is interested to Ramani rickshaw wallah to make their subsistence sure. Such kind of description shows the age old rotten mentality of patriarchal society which is represented by the teacher sahib, the narrator.

 

Q. 8. Why would the widow be interested in Ramani according to the narrator? 

According to the teacher sahib, the narrator of the short story, “Free Radio”, the widow has five children alive but her husband, the thief have left no new paisa for them. Therefore, she would definitely be interested in Ramani to arrange atleast two mouthful for themselves rather than eating wind. Ans.

This saying actually indicates the cheap patriarchal attitude towards women, especially towards widow.

Q. 9. How did the widow earn before meeting with Ramani?

Ans. When the widow had gone to bania shop to buy some dals, the narrator says that he won’t say how she earn money, he describes that people saw men at night at rutputty shack.

It shows that society is always prepared to criticise women regarding the virginity of their bodies.

Q.10. What was “an investment for her”?

Ans. She called out Ramani loudly to ride in his rickshaw. According to narrator, representative of every patriarchal figure, it “was an investment for her” to entrapped and marry him. Probably, it is a prediction by him that Ramani’s future would be destroyed in the touch of that woman. On the other hand, it shows that society criticises women, especially widow women, in each and every cases.

Q.11. How did Ramani meet with the widow?

Ans. According to narrator’s description, Ramani met with the widow everywhere, frequently, shamelessly.

The narrator uses the word ‘shamelessly’ which shows the age old mentality of society. They can’t accept the close appearance of lovers naturally.

Q.12. Why does the narrator say “I was glad his mother was dead”?

Ans. The narrator was glad Ramani’s mother was dead because she would ashamed to see that her son fell in love with a thief’s widow.

It expresses patriarchal rotten attitude. On other hand, he is matured enough that is why he can predict Ramani’s upcoming destructive life.

Q.13. Name the canteen mentioned in the text. What does Ramani’s friends do there?

Ans. Irani’s canteen, is the name of the canteen mentioned in “Free Radio”. Ramani’s friends goes at the back room of the canteen and drink illegal liquors.

Q.14. “I was sad to see” -Why was the speaker sad?

Ans. The speaker, the teacher sahib, in Salman Rushdie’s “Free Radio”, was sad to see Ramani’s friendship with the violent young boys who wore armbands of New Youth Movement to carry on the inhuman program of sterilization and drank liquor in Irani’s canteen. Though the teacher sahib advised him to stay away from those violent youths, Ramani denied teacher sahib’s comment that he was in wrong track through his friendship with them.

Q.15. What does the author mean by New Youth Movement?

Ans. The semi dictatorial government, through the symbolic use of radio as a medium under Indira Gandhi, brainwashed the young boys during the period of Emergency. The government successfully injected into them that by going through sterilization, they can contribute in the progress of nation as it would prevent in increase in population. These boys unitedly form a group wearing their symbolic armbands and worked, sometimes violently, in the effective accomplishment of this program. This is known as the New Youth Movement which was fired by the government.

Q.16. How did the narrator describe Ramani’s friends?

Ans. According to the narrator, the friends of Ramani were spiritually, psychologically, and emotionally bankrupt without having proper understanding regarding what is good or what is bad for them as well as nation. They took Ramani in the wrong track. They have been brainwashed by the dictatorial government only to be a puppet. They drank illegal liquor in Irani’s canteen, and flater Ramani. The narrator described them as violent mobs who can oppress rebellious people iron handedly to execute the inhuman program of sterilization.

Q.17. How does the “armband” signify in the text?

Ans. The “armband” signifies the violent and repressive youths who believed in the inhuman program of sterilization under the semi dictatorial regime of Indira Gandhi. The armband itself also symbolise the bloody and oppressive nature of the mobs who went on beating the people who created problems in the successful execution of inhuman program of sterilization. The youths who believed in this program of sterilization wore the armband as a tocken of their belonging to the New Youth Movement.

Q.18. How did the armband youths flatter Ramani?

Ans. The armband youths flattered Ramani by saying the nothingness of legendary heroes of Bollywood like Sashi Kapoor and Amitabh Bachchan in front of the stature of Ramani. They told him that it was far better for Ramani to go to Bombay and become the leading hero by working in motion picture.

 

 

Q.19. Name two heroes from Bollywood Ramani was compared to?

Ans. Sashi Kapoor and Amitabh Bachchan are two heroes from Bollywood Ramani was compared to by his friends. Through the earlier reference of his comparing with famous heroes from Bollywood, the author indicates Ramani’s upcoming fascination with the film industry which he will try to pursue at the end of the story.

Q.20. How did the thief’s widow react?

Ans. Out of his aquintance with Ramani’s parents, the teacher sahib tried to save him from the evil clutch of the thief’s widow by warning her to leave Ramani. But the widow went on insulting him with filthy words and curses. She insulted by saying that the teacher sahib should have died long years ago and went on saying that it is she who had denied to marry Ramani when Ramani gave the marriage proposal. She also replied angrily that she informed Ramani of her desire not to conceive any more due to having five children already and as Ramani had no child, it was better for him to marry other woman as it was natural for Ramani to want children.

Q.21. What do the teacher sahib and the thief’s widow stand for?

Ans. Salmsn Rushdie, probably, uses the thief’s widow as Indira Gandhi and the teacher sahib as the representativeof all the intelligent senior people in the country who realized the inhuman initiatives taken by Mrs Gandhi in the form of sterilization. But though the people with good thought like techer sahib tried to challenge and defy this initiative, they always got defeated to Mrs. Gandhi. It happens in this text also as we see the ill treatment of the teacher sahib in the hand of the thief’s widow verbally.

Q.22. What happens in the white caravan in night?

Ans. The white caravan brought by the local health officer symbolizes the repressive tool in the hand of Indira Gandhi who carried on semi dictatorial regime. Salman Rushdie, probably, used the caravan a symbol which stands for the nation itself inside which the thought process and psychology are sterilized along with their biological sterilization. Youths were taken into the caravan and and got sterilized through the temptation of giving the new branded first class battery -operated transistor radio.

Q.23. What was Ramani’s new fantasy?

Ans. The “new fantasy ” of Ramani was his ecstatic excitement to get a new-branded first class battery operated transistor radio after his sterilization, a program the central government under the semi dictatorial regime of Indira Gandhi control the rapid increase of population in India. –

Ramani stands for the youth of the then period whose psychology was colonised with the narcotic of patriotism as done by the government right then. Therefore, Ramani’s excitement regarding the gift of free radio indicates how the young generation got trapped in the evil 0 of the government who even had not thought of their sterilization ahead of the bribery in the form of getting transistor radio.

Q.24. What does the narrator mean by “her companion’s destruction “?

Ans. By “her companion “, the teacher sahib, the narrator, means the companion of the thief’s widow, i.e, Ramani.

On the third day Ramani came to the white caravan to get his free radio along with the widow and five children. By “destruction” the narrator means the destruction of Ramani’s illusory hope which symbolically stands for the disillusionment of the young generation, at the time of emergency, regarding the program of sterilization by the government of Indira Gandhi. Ramani was beaten terribly by the arm banded youths as a disagreement appeared between them as they denied to give Ramani his radio. He was thrown away to the street and blood was comung out of his mouth..

Q.25. What happens to Ramani when enters the caravan on the third day?

Ans. Though Ramani went through sterilization in the white cavarn, he didn’t get his gift in the form of transistor radio. On the third day with illusory hopes he entered the caravan to get his gift. After some time, Ramani got to know the betrayal of their promise and disagreement occured between Ramani and the caravan authority which led the violent youths with arm bands to enter the cavern. They beaten Raman brutally, threw him away on the street with the emitting of blood from his mouth. Thus, the illusory dreams of Ramani regarding free radio was destroyed after entering the caravan on the third day.

Q.26. Why did Ramani sell his rickshaw?

Ans. Ramani was fascinated with the hope of getting the transistor radio as a gift from the central government under the semi dictatorial regime of Indira Gandhi for sterilization. But what happened is opposite to Ramani’s fascination as instead of getting the radio, he was brutally attacked by the armed young boys and was thrown away. After his disillusionment regarding free radio, he decided to go to Bombay to be greater film star than,even, Sashi Kapoor or Amitabh Bachchan. He, therefore, sold his rickshaw.

Q.27. Why did Ramani send letters to the teacher sahib?

Ans. Though the teacher sahib forbade to ask him behind the reasons of sending letters by Ramani to him, he revealed some reasons. According to him, probably, people still feel the necessity of the grey hair,i.e, the old people for their wisdom and guidance. Moreover, Ramani felt, according to the teacher sahib, that the teacher sahib would be the only one having concern and interest in his news. Probably, Salman Rushdie intends to say that realizing their getting misled by the semi-dictatorial regime of Indira Gandhi, the youths felt the urgency of teacher like people to be guided and directed properly.

Q.28. What does Ramani write in the letter?

Ans. Selling his rickshaw, Ramani went to Bombay with a dream of becoming film star. Going there, he used to stay in touch with his teacher, the teacher sahib, through sending letters. He wrote about his new career as a film star in Bollywood in Bombay those letters. He wrote how his talent was discovered by a big studio giving him a test. He also informed that that particular big studio was also grooming him for the stardom.

Q.29. Why did the teacher sahib close his eyes in the affair of Ramani and thief’s widow?

Ans. Out of his acquaintance with Ramani’s parents, the teacher sahib loved Ramani and always wanted his well being. Seeing Ramani’s impending danger for his love affairs with the thief’s widow, he instructed the widow quite angrily to end her relationship with Ramani as the teacher sahib considered the thief’s widow as witch and ominous for Ramani. But the thief’s widow insulted him extremely which led him to close his eyes in the affair of Ramani and the thief’s widow because he had done everything he could do to rescue Ramani. Moreover, according to him, the people like him had many other activities to take care of.

Q.30. Why did the teacher sahib change his sitting position?

Ans. The teacher sahib in “The Free Radio”, used to smoke his selfsame hookah sitting under the banyan tree.

The local health officer brought a big white caravan to sterilize young men with the gift of a radio and parked it under the baniyan tree. The teacher sahib didn’t like this caravan and its activities. Moreover, the violent boys with armbands attended this caravan outside which made the teacher sahib to change his sitting position somewhere else.

Q.31. What explains the narrator’s interest in Ramani’s life ? ?

Ans. Out of his acquaintance with Ramani’s parents, the teacher sahib loved Ramani and always wanted his well being. Seeing Ramani’s impending danger for his love affairs with the thief’s widow, he instructed the widow quite angrily to end her relationship with Ramani as the teacher sahib considered the thief’s widow as witch and ominous for Ramani. This incident explains the narrator’s interest in Ramani’s life.

Q.32. “She stopped dead, jerking her face in an ugly way, as if I had hit her with a whip”. – Why does the woman react in this particular way?

Ans. Seeing Ramani’s impending danger for his love affairs with the thief’s widow, the teacher sahib decided to ask widow to leave Ramani. Asked by the teacher sahib, she reacted in that particular way because she was shocked to be addressed by a person like teacher sahib with high social status. Probably it, according to the teacher sahib, made her frightened to think of her customers’ avoiding her for having conversation with the people like him. She, therefore, reacted in that way.

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