Across the Wall Class 5 Notes EVS Chapter 17

Introduction

Meeting the Team

Meet this Special Team

Afsana, Zarin, Khushnoor and Afreen were important members of Nagpada Basketball team.

Zarin started answering the question of the interviewer. She told them that their house was in front of the playground and that boys used to play there. She also asked the coach if she can also play. The coach asked her to bring some more girls and make a team and then he was ready to train them.

We asked – Was it easy to make a beginning?
The girls told that it was not easy at the beginning.

• Khushnoor said that her parents refused at the beginning but on insisting they agreed.
• Afsana’s mother worked in the houses of others to earn her livelihood and said that girls do not play basketball and refused but when her friends and coach talked to her mother she agreed.
• Afreen told the interviewers that they were three sisters and not allowed because they were girls and their grandmother get angry with them but still, they come to play because their father supports them.

We asked – Tell us about your team

• One girl said that at first, they felt a bit strange because they were the first girls’ team in the area and everyone was curious to know how girls will play basketball but now everyone has accepted that girls can also play well.
• Afsana told interviewers that she was 11 years old when they started playing. They were not allowed to go to other places at that time but now they also go to other places for matches. It was all due to their hard work and coaching.

• Another girl told interviewers that though they worked hard but their coach was also strict. Their coaching daily begins with jogging and exercises. And then regular coaching.
• Afreen told interviewers that their coach used to tell them to play like a player and keep playing if got a little injured. The result of good training and hard work is that now they play as well as the boys’ team.
• One girl tells them that they wanted to play with the boys’ team as equals and tells them that their team don’t want the boys’ team to be lenient with them because they were girls. She further said that they get angry when boys try to imitate them but they used to take it as a challenge and correct their mistakes.

We said – Tell us more about your team

• One girl said that their team was special because it is united. If there arises any situation of quarrel in their team, they used to sort it out quickly. We further said they a few players from their team got a chance to play a match at Sholapur as a part of the Mumbai team.
• Zarin told that when they went to play in Sholapur, they found that the team had players from different parts of the state. They treated them as juniors and hardly gave them a chance to play properly. There was no cooperation at all in that team. The players of that team used to scold each other on the ground.
• Afreen told that after playing at Sholapur they realized why their team was special. The cooperation between the players was the strength of their team. She tells players in their team to understand and support each other.

We said – You have done so much what next

• Afsana answered that they have been playing well and got chances to play at different places in their city and state but they wanted to work hard and play for their country. She further said that they wanted to make their area and their country proud by winning a gold medal at the international level.

We asked – Did you faced some other difficulties

• Khushnoor told the interviewer that it was not at all easy for them. Being girls, it was very difficult for them to start playing. The girls were not allowed to play physical games so they had to convince their families to start playing.
• Afsana told that even now they were supposed to reach as soon as they finish playing their game. She further told that she helps her mother with her work after returning from school and came to play after finishing the work.
• One girl told them that the younger brother of Zarin was only 5 years old and used to ask his mother why she allow her sister for playing. It is all due to the mindset of society.
• Afsana said that everyone should play because it is very beneficial for our health and they have realized the benefits of playing. She wants to role model player for other boys and girls.

What Next?

• Afreen said that we have to give our best to fulfil our dreams.
• Khushnoor said that if you have a wish or a dream, you must have to muster the courage to speak about it otherwise you have to regret it later.
• When asked about how do they feel when the student will read about them in the book, Afreen said that all of them were so happy about this and were short of words to explain their happiness and now they feel that they have to play even better and make their area and country proud.
• The coach Noor Khan told the interviewers that the part of Mumbai from where these girls belonged was very crowded and have only one playground named Bacchu Khan playground. A person named Mustafa Khan used to live in their area. Everyone was afraid of him, but children were fond of him and so everyone started calling him Bacchu Khan. There was no ground then, it was just a muddy land.
•  Bacchu Khan used to train children there and like him, I have also trained the children of the area at present few players from their team play at the international level and have even won the Arjuna award.
• Noor Khan continued that the players from the girls’ team he trained also play for the Maharashtra State team. He told interviewers that though the girls’ training there came from different families and different backgrounds once they came there, they make a team.

Theme

The theme of the chapter "Across the Wall" revolves around the empowerment of young girls from underprivileged backgrounds through basketball, highlighting their journey of breaking societal barriers and achieving success against all odds. The chapter showcases the determination, resilience, and unity of the Nagpada Basketball team, particularly focusing on Afsana Mansuri and her teammates.

Summary

The chapter tells the story of Afsana and her teammates from the Nagpada Basketball team, made up of girls from poor families. They face challenges from society and their families but work hard to pursue basketball. They convince their families to let them play and train rigorously. They dream of representing their country and winning gold medals internationally. With the support of their coach, they overcome obstacles and achieve success. The chapter shows their inspiring journey, highlighting their determination, teamwork, and triumph over societal barriers.