The World of Limitless Possibilities — NCERT Solutions

• यह शीटल देवी की तस्वीर है, जो एक पैरा-आर्चर हैं।
• वे धनुष-बाण चलाते हुए दिखाई दे रही हैं।
• उनकी मेहनत, आत्मविश्वास और दृढ़ता झलकती है।
• यह तस्वीर बताती है कि शारीरिक सीमाएँ सफलता में बाधा नहीं बनतीं।

हाँ, यह व्यक्तित्व प्रेरणादायक है। वे कठिन परिस्थितियों के बावजूद खेल में सफल हुईं और Arjuna Award जैसी उपलब्धि हासिल की। इससे यह संदेश मिलता है कि लगन, साहस और आत्मविश्वास से कोई भी लक्ष्य पाया जा सकता है।

संकल्प और सफलता की मिसाल

What I know

• Paralympics दिव्यांग खिलाड़ियों के लिए आयोजित खेल प्रतियोगिता है।
• इसमें अलग-अलग प्रकार की disabilities वाले खिलाड़ी भाग लेते हैं।
• यह प्रतियोगिता आत्मविश्वास, साहस और प्रतिभा को दिखाती है।

What I want to know

• Paralympics की शुरुआत कैसे हुई?
• भारत के प्रमुख Paralympic खिलाड़ी कौन-कौन हैं?
• Paralympics में कौन-कौन से खेल शामिल होते हैं?

• Olympics में सामान्य रूप से सक्षम खिलाड़ी भाग लेते हैं।
• Special Olympics विशेष आवश्यकताओं वाले खिलाड़ियों के लिए होती है और इसमें भागीदारी, प्रोत्साहन तथा समावेशन पर जोर होता है।
• Paralympics शारीरिक, संवेदी या बौद्धिक disabilities वाले खिलाड़ियों के लिए होती है और इसमें उच्च स्तर की प्रतिस्पर्धा होती है।
• तीनों का उद्देश्य खेल भावना, प्रतिभा और मेहनत को बढ़ावा देना है, लेकिन भाग लेने वाले खिलाड़ियों की श्रेणी अलग होती है।

1. Sympathy — ‘I am so sorry for what is happening to you...’
2. Empathy — ‘I can imagine how you feel...’
3. Compassion — ‘I understand why you feel terribly low...’

Empathy से जुड़े शब्द: समझ, करुणा, सहानुभूति, सुनना, सहयोग, देखभाल, दया, समर्थन।

क्योंकि कैटरपिलर पहले साधारण और सीमित दिखाई देता है, लेकिन बदलकर सुंदर तितली बन जाता है। उसी तरह Dr. Malik ने अपनी कठिन परिस्थिति को स्वीकार न करके अपने जीवन को नई दिशा दी और खुद को सक्षम, सफल और प्रेरणादायक व्यक्तित्व में बदला।

वे पहले से swimmer थीं और खेलों से जुड़ी हुई थीं, इसलिए उन्हें para-athletics में जाना आसान लगा। उन्हें खेलों का अनुभव था और वे चुनौती स्वीकार करने के लिए तैयार थीं।

2016 Rio Paralympic Games को ‘breakthrough moment’ इसलिए कहा गया क्योंकि उसी प्रतियोगिता में उन्होंने shot-put event में silver medal जीता।

‘In hindsight’ का अर्थ है किसी घटना को बाद में सोचकर देखना। इसलिए speaker reflective है।

एक संभावित धारणा जो उन्होंने बदली, वह यह है कि दिव्यांग व्यक्ति कम सक्षम होते हैं। उन्होंने दिखाया कि physical limitations ability को तय नहीं करतीं।

Speaker का tone appreciative और optimistic है। वे Paralympics और अपनी journey के बारे में सकारात्मक और सराहनात्मक ढंग से बोलती हैं।

Analogy में ability : potential के समान preconceived notions : prejudice होगा, क्योंकि preconceived notions का अर्थ पहले से बनी हुई गलत/पक्की धारणाएँ है।

यह कथन True है, क्योंकि पाठ में बताया गया है कि Paralympics न केवल खिलाड़ियों की क्षमता दिखाता है, बल्कि stereotypes को चुनौती देकर दृष्टिकोण भी बदलता है।

यह बताता है कि speaker ने अपनी सीमाओं को रुकावट नहीं बनने दिया। उन्होंने नई चुनौतियाँ स्वीकार कीं, अपने साहस और आत्मविश्वास से आगे बढ़ीं, और अपने दायरे से बाहर निकलकर उपलब्धियाँ हासिल कीं।

वह phrase है: “transform it to a world of limitless possibilities”। यही दिखाता है कि speaker ने अपने जीवन को नई दिशा दी।

Fact Table

1. diagnosed with spinal tumour at the age of 29
2. result of the surgery: paralysed waist down / told she would be bound to a wheelchair for life
3. named as one of the 10 most effective para-athletes by International Paralympic Committee
4. first successful Paralympic event: 2016 Rio Paralympic Games, shot-put event, silver medal
5. list of ‘firsts’: (i) first Indian female para-athlete to win an Asian Games medal in athletics (ii) India’s first female Paralympics medallist across any sport
6. awards won: (i) Khel Ratna (ii) Arjuna Award (iii) Padma Shri
7. two things supported by her: (i) strengthening the emotional health of persons with challenges (ii) empowering women through outdoor sports and adventure activities

(1) The first sentence is a fact because it states a verifiable achievement; the second is an opinion because it begins with “I feel”.

(2) The first sentence gives the cause (diagnosed with a tumour); the second gives the effect (surgery and being told she would be bound to a wheelchair).

This is a fact because it states a specific, verifiable achievement in the Paralympics.

This is an opinion because it uses “I feel”, showing the speaker’s personal view.

This sentence gives the cause: the diagnosis of a tumour in her spine.

This sentence gives the effect of the surgery: she was told she would be bound to a wheelchair for life.

The pair shows cause-effect because the first sentence states a fact about her role, and the second suggests its effect/contribution to better sports policies.

This pair shows cause-effect: her membership in the Working Group is the cause, and the contribution to better sports policies is the effect.

So write 1.

The speaker's tone is appreciative and optimistic. She appreciates sports and Paralympics for their power to challenge stereotypes, and she remains hopeful that perceptions can change and dreams can be achieved. So the correct option is (a) A and D.

Dr. Deepa Malik's achievements challenge societal perceptions because she proved that physical limitations do not define a person's potential. Even after being paralysed waist down, she switched to para-athletics, won medals, and became India's first female Paralympics medallist across any sport. Her success shows that persons with disabilities can be strong, skilled, and highly capable, breaking common stereotypes.

Involving youth in schools and colleges in advocacy can have a long-term impact by creating a more inclusive and aware society. Young people can spread correct information, challenge stereotypes, and develop respect for persons with disabilities. Over time, this can lead to better attitudes, greater accessibility, and fairer opportunities for everyone.

The title The World of Limitless Possibilities is appropriate because it reflects Dr. Deepa Malik's life and attitude. Though she faced a spinal tumour and paralysis, she chose not to give in to remorse. Instead, she transformed her life through sports, won medals, and worked for inclusivity and disability rights. Her journey proves that disability is not a limit and that with courage and determination, possibilities are limitless.

This line is a life lesson because setbacks are a part of everyone's life, not only sportspersons. A failure, loss, illness, or difficulty can become a chance to grow stronger, learn from mistakes, and improve. Instead of giving up, a person should face problems with courage and use them to build resilience.

Dr. Deepa Malik's recognition as one of the 10 most inspirational women para-athletes globally helps the larger discussion on gender equality in sports by showing that women with disabilities can achieve at the highest level. Her success breaks both gender and disability stereotypes. It encourages society to value women athletes equally and support their opportunities, recognition, and leadership in sports.

The idea of 'ability beyond disability' can guide future para-athletes by reminding them that success depends on effort, confidence, and determination, not on limitations alone. It encourages them to believe in their strengths, accept challenges as opportunities, and keep working towards their goals with resilience and self-belief.

From this interview, we learn the importance of determination, resilience, self-belief, family support, and inclusivity. In my life, I can apply these lessons by not giving up during setbacks, trusting my abilities, supporting others, and treating everyone with dignity and respect.

From the poem's context:

• defy the odds means succeed when failure is expected → (iii)
• a new lease of life means becoming more energetic and active again → (v)
• in hindsight means understanding something after it has happened → (iv)
• breakthrough moment means a time of significant development or discovery → (i)
• turn obstacles into stepping stones means overcome challenges and achieve goals → (ii)

The gist of each stanza is:

1. Athletes had trained for months and came to compete → 5
2. Spectators waited eagerly for the final event → 2
3. Athletes took positions at the starting line → 4
4. The race began and one athlete fell → 1
5. The fallen athlete felt anguish and disappointment → 8
6. The other athletes went back to help him → 6
7. They continued together, showing the spirit of Special Olympics → 7
8. They finished together and received nine gold medals → 3

Two examples of alliteration from the poem are old field and sound of the gun. In both, nearby words begin with the same consonant sound.

Three examples of visual imagery from the poem are:

1. the old field
2. the blocks were all lined up
3. the young boy to his feet

These phrases help us picture the scene clearly.

An example of auditory imagery from the poem is the pistol exploded. It helps us hear the sound that started the race.

Imagery makes the poem more appealing because it helps the reader see, hear, and feel the race as if it is happening in front of them. The vivid descriptions of the field, the starting line, the fall, and the finish make the poem lively and memorable.

The poet's tone changes from excited and competitive at the beginning to compassionate, admiring, and celebratory at the end. At first the focus is on winning the race, but later the poet praises the runners' kindness and teamwork.

The overall mood of the poem is inspiring, emotional, and uplifting. It begins with excitement and ends with a strong feeling of human kindness and unity.

The message of the poem is that compassion and sportsmanship are more important than winning alone. True victory lies in helping others, showing empathy, and winning with dignity and unity.

The phrase 'pulled up on their heels' means the runners stopped running. So the correct option is B.

One character trait common to all the eight other runners is compassion. They stopped their race and turned back to help the fallen runner.

The tone of the poet in these lines is compassionate. The poet admires the runners for helping the fallen boy instead of leaving him behind.

The young athlete might have felt hurt, embarrassed, and disappointed when he was helped by the others, but he would also have felt grateful and supported because his fellow athletes cared for him.

Yes, this is a turning point in the poem because the race changes from a competition into a lesson in kindness and unity. The other runners go back to help the fallen boy, and the focus shifts from individual victory to collective humanity.

When they reached the finish line together, the nine contestants likely felt joyful, proud, united, and deeply satisfied because they had completed the race together with kindness and sportsmanship.

All nine contestants were given gold medals because they showed the true spirit of the Special Olympics. They did not compete selfishly; instead, they helped one another and finished together, so they all shared the honour.