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Lesson Objectives
To help students understand the historical evolution, significance, and role of newspapers in human civilization and modern life, while enhancing their reading comprehension and vocabulary skills.
A Torch Bearer
Read the text silently and answer the questions that follow.Ekushey Padak winner Polan Sarkar, affectionately called Alor Ferrywala, a torch bearer, was best known as a kind soul who distributed books for free among people, died on Friday , but left a legacy that will be remembered for years to come.
The 98-year-old had been suffering from old-age complications. He passed away surrounded by his loved ones at his home of Bausha village in Bagha upazila of Rajshahi. Born in , Polan Sarkar's real name is Harez Uddin. He was born in Bagatipara, Natore.
Financial troubles of his family could not hamper his passion for reading and learning. He loved books. As a boy, Polan borrowed books from wherever he could, and voraciously read them.
He established a school in his village in 1965 after receiving some inheritance from his grandfather. In 1990, he decided a yearly award for students of the school who would top the merit list. The prize was, of course, books. Other students expressed their desire to read as well. He gave them the condition that the students must return the books to him upon finishing, so he could lend the books to other students as well. Eventually, local adults started borrowing books from his collection as well.
Polan Sarkar started a social movement of distributing books free of charge. When he was diagnosed with diabetes in 1992, he decided he would distribute books during his daily walks. He would go around on his own two feet, sharing his love for books.
He had been admired in Rajshahi for a long time, but gained nationwide recognition after being featured in Bangladesh Television’s popular show Ittadi in . He won the Ekushey padak in 2011. Bangladesh second highest civilian award for his contribution to society.
Vocabulary List
| Word | Word | Word |
|---|---|---|
| Affectionately | Legacy | Complications |
| Upazila | Inheritance | Merit |
| Nationwide | Recognition | Civilian |
Multiple Choice Questions
- What was Polan Sarkar affectionately known as?
- The Book Collector
- Alor Ferrywala
- The Torch Reader
- The Village Scholar
- In which year did Polan Sarkar establish a school in his village?
- 1965
- 1990
- 1992
- 2011
- What condition did Polan Sarkar set for students who borrowed books from him?
- They had to buy him new books
- They must write a summary of the book
- They must return the books after finishing
- They must recommend the book to a friend
- What motivated Polan Sarkar to distribute books during his daily walks?
- Winning the Ekushey Padak
- Being featured on Ittadi
- His diabetes diagnosis
- The expansion of his school
- When did Polan Sarkar gain nationwide recognition?
- After winning the Ekushey Padak in 2011
- After being featured on Ittadi in 2006
- After his school produced top students
- After his 90th birthday celebration
- Which of the following best describes Polan Sarkar’s approach to promoting reading?
- Establishing libraries in every district
- Distributing free books personally
- Organizing large public reading events
- Publishing his own book series
- What was the real name of Polan Sarkar?
- Harez Uddin
- Shahadat Hossain
- Alor Ferrywala
- Mohammad Nazir
Short Questions
- How did Polan Sarkar’s early financial hardships influence his lifelong dedication to book distribution?
- In what ways did Polan Sarkar’s lending conditions foster a sustainable reading culture in his community?
- How did his 1992 health diagnosis reshape his method of spreading literacy?
- What social and cultural factors might have amplified the nationwide impact of his appearance on Ittadi in 2006?
- How does Polan Sarkar’s model of personal book distribution compare to institutional literacy campaigns?
- In what ways did his annual merit-based book award reflect both educational philosophy and community engagement?
- How can Polan Sarkar’s legacy be interpreted as a form of grassroots social reform in rural Bangladesh?
Fill in the Blanks
Polan Sarkar was affectionately known as __________, a torch bearer who distributed books free of charge. Born in __________, his real name was __________. Despite financial hardships, his passion for reading remained __________. In 1965, he used his __________ from his grandfather to establish a school. In 1990, he introduced a merit-based award where the prize was always __________. To borrow books, students had to __________ them after finishing. After being diagnosed with __________ in 1992, he started distributing books during his __________ walks. His work gained nationwide recognition after appearing on __________ in 2006, and in 2011 he received the __________ Padak for his contribution to society.
Suffix and Prefix Exercise
Polan Sarkar’s lifelong work was deeply __________ (inspire) to the people of his community. His book distribution movement became a true form of __________ (educate) reform. Through his merit award system, he encouraged __________ (compete) among students in a positive way. His actions promoted __________ (read) habits across generations. Even his health __________ (complicate) could not stop his mission. The nationwide __________ (recognize) he received after appearing on television boosted his influence. His grassroots work demonstrated that even without formal __________ (organize) support, one person can bring __________ (mean) change. The love and __________ (respect) he earned will keep his memory alive.
Complete the Table
Fill in the blanks in the Event/Action and What/Why columns using information from the passage. Blanks alternate for practice.
| Subject | Event/Action | What/Why |
|---|---|---|
| Polan Sarkar | (i) ____________________ | to encourage literacy by giving books free of cost |
| Young Polan Sarkar | Borrowed books from any source available | ____________________ |
| Polan Sarkar | (iii) ____________________ | to reward top-performing students in his school |
| Students | Returned borrowed books after finishing | ____________________ |
| Polan Sarkar | (v) ____________________ | to combine his daily walks with book distribution |
| Ittadi TV show | Featured Polan Sarkar in 2006 | ____________________ |
| Bangladesh Government | (vii) ____________________ | to honor him for his contribution to society |
Answers
Word Details
| Word | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Affectionately (Adverb) | In a way that shows fondness or love | Bengali: স্নেহà¦à¦°ে | IPA: /əˈfÉ›kʃənÉ™tli/ | He spoke affectionately about his childhood memories. |
| Legacy (Noun) | Something handed down from the past, such as traditions or achievements | Bengali: উত্তরাধিকার | IPA: /ˈlɛɡəsi/ | The scientist left behind a legacy of groundbreaking research. |
| Complications (Noun) | Problems or difficulties that make a situation harder to deal with | Bengali: জটিলতা | IPA: /ËŒkÉ’mplɪˈkeɪʃənz/ | The surgery was successful, but there were minor complications during recovery. |
| Upazila (Noun) | A sub-district administrative region in Bangladesh | Bengali: উপজেলা | IPA: /upôˈdÊ’ila/ | She works as a teacher in a rural upazila. |
| Inheritance (Noun) | Property, money, or title received from someone after their death | Bengali: উত্তরাধিকার সূত্রে প্রাপ্ত সম্পত্তি | IPA: /ɪnˈhÉ›rɪtÉ™ns/ | He used his inheritance to start a new business. |
| Merit (Noun) | The quality of being particularly good or worthy | Bengali: যোগ্যতা | IPA: /ˈmÉ›rɪt/ | The award is given purely on merit, not favoritism. |
| Nationwide (Adjective/Adverb) | Extending across the whole country | Bengali: সারা দেশে | IPA: /ˈneɪʃənËŒwaɪd/ | The campaign received nationwide attention. |
| Recognition (Noun) | Acknowledgement or appreciation of someone’s work or achievements | Bengali: স্বীকৃতি | IPA: /ËŒrÉ›kəɡˈnɪʃən/ | She received recognition for her contribution to the community. |
| Civilian (Noun) | A person not serving in the armed forces or police | Bengali: বেসামরিক ব্যক্তি | IPA: /səˈvɪliÉ™n/ | The area was evacuated to protect civilian lives. |
Multiple Choice Questions
- What was Polan Sarkar affectionately known as?
- The Book Collector
- Alor Ferrywala ✅
- The Torch Reader
- The Village Scholar
- In which year did Polan Sarkar establish a school in his village?
- 1965 ✅
- 1990
- 1992
- 2011
- What condition did Polan Sarkar set for students who borrowed books from him?
- They had to buy him new books
- They must write a summary of the book
- They must return the books after finishing ✅
- They must recommend the book to a friend
- What motivated Polan Sarkar to distribute books during his daily walks?
- Winning the Ekushey Padak
- Being featured on Ittadi
- His diabetes diagnosis ✅
- The expansion of his school
- When did Polan Sarkar gain nationwide recognition?
- After winning the Ekushey Padak in 2011
- After being featured on Ittadi in 2006 ✅
- After his school produced top students
- After his 90th birthday celebration
- Which of the following best describes Polan Sarkar’s approach to promoting reading?
- Establishing libraries in every district
- Distributing free books personally ✅
- Organizing large public reading events
- Publishing his own book series
- What was the real name of Polan Sarkar?
- Harez Uddin ✅
- Shahadat Hossain
- Alor Ferrywala
- Mohammad Nazir
Short Questions with Answers
-
How did Polan Sarkar’s early financial hardships influence his lifelong dedication to book distribution?
His inability to afford books in childhood deepened his empathy for others in similar situations, inspiring him to provide free books so others could access knowledge without financial barriers. -
In what ways did Polan Sarkar’s lending conditions foster a sustainable reading culture in his community?
By requiring borrowers to return books after reading, he ensured that the same books could be shared among many people, creating a cycle of continual access to literature. -
How did his 1992 health diagnosis reshape his method of spreading literacy?
After being diagnosed with diabetes, he incorporated book distribution into his daily walks, turning a health necessity into an opportunity to promote reading. -
What social and cultural factors might have amplified the nationwide impact of his appearance on Ittadi in 2006?
Ittadi’s wide viewership and cultural influence gave his story national visibility, inspiring people across Bangladesh to recognize the value of his work and join literacy efforts. -
How does Polan Sarkar’s model of personal book distribution compare to institutional literacy campaigns?
Unlike large-scale institutional campaigns, his approach was intimate and personal, allowing him to directly connect with individuals and adapt to their reading needs. -
In what ways did his annual merit-based book award reflect both educational philosophy and community engagement?
The award encouraged academic excellence while also promoting reading as a shared community value, motivating both students and their families. -
How can Polan Sarkar’s legacy be interpreted as a form of grassroots social reform in rural Bangladesh?
By fostering literacy and intellectual curiosity without institutional backing, he empowered individuals and strengthened community bonds, contributing to long-term social development.
Fill in the Blanks – Answer Key
Polan Sarkar was affectionately known as Alor Ferrywala, a torch bearer who distributed books free of charge. Born in 1921, his real name was Harez Uddin. Despite financial hardships, his passion for reading remained unshaken. In 1965, he used his inheritance from his grandfather to establish a school. In 1990, he introduced a merit-based award where the prize was always books. To borrow books, students had to return them after finishing. After being diagnosed with diabetes in 1992, he started distributing books during his daily walks. His work gained nationwide recognition after appearing on Ittadi in 2006, and in 2011 he received the Ekushey Padak for his contribution to society.
Suffix and Prefix Exercise – Answer Key
Polan Sarkar’s lifelong work was deeply inspiring (inspire) to the people of his community. His book distribution movement became a true form of educational (educate) reform. Through his merit award system, he encouraged competition (compete) among students in a positive way. His actions promoted reading (read) habits across generations. Even his health complications (complicate) could not stop his mission. The nationwide recognition (recognize) he received after appearing on television boosted his influence. His grassroots work demonstrated that even without formal organizational (organize) support, one person can bring meaningful (mean) change. The love and respect (respect) he earned will keep his memory alive.
Complete the Table – Answer Key
| Subject | Event/Action | What/Why |
|---|---|---|
| Polan Sarkar | Distributed books free of charge in his community | to encourage literacy by giving books free of cost |
| Young Polan Sarkar | Borrowed books from any source available | to satisfy his love for reading despite financial hardship |
| Polan Sarkar | Introduced a yearly merit-based award for top students | to reward top-performing students in his school |
| Students | Returned borrowed books after finishing | to allow the same books to be read by other students |
| Polan Sarkar | Started distributing books during daily walks | to combine his daily walks with book distribution |
| Ittadi TV show | Featured Polan Sarkar in 2006 | to give his work nationwide visibility and recognition |
| Bangladesh Government | Awarded him the Ekushey Padak in 2011 | to honor him for his contribution to society |
📖 Key Features
- 📌 Format: Reading Text with High Quality Graphics
- 📌Content: Class VIII – Unit Eight, Lesson 5: A Torch Bearer (Page 106)
- 📌 Exercise: Multiple Choice Questions, Short Questions, Fill-in-the-Blanks, suffix and prefix, information transfer, and 10 words with IPA transcription, word class, Bengali and English meanings, and example sentences
- 📌 Ideal for: IT-Assisted Classrooms
- 📌 Perfect for: Presentation Purposes and Personal Learning too
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