Glimpses of India (Part- II) Coorg Summary Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 7

Key Points of the Story

• Coorg, also known as Kodagu, is a picturesque district in Karnataka known for its rainforests, spices, and coffee plantations.
• The region is characterized by lush greenery, colonial bungalows, and a unique culture influenced possibly by Greek or Arabic origins.
• The people of Coorg, called Kodavus, have a rich martial tradition and distinct customs in marriage and religious practices.
• The Coorg Regiment is highly decorated, and General Cariappa, a Coorgi, was the first Chief of the Indian Army.
• Kodavus have a tradition of hospitality and are known for their tales of valor and bravery.
• The chapter highlights the natural beauty of Coorg, including the river Kaveri, wildlife like elephants and fish, and adventurous activities like river rafting and trekking.
• Visitors can experience a mix of nature, adventure, and culture in Coorg, with surprises like the Nisargadhama island and encounters with Buddhist monks.

Detailed Summary

Coorg is a small district of Karnataka. It is known as Kodagu also. Coorg lies between the coastal town of Mangalore and Mysore. It is a very beautiful place. The writer says that it must have come from the kingdom of God. It is the smallest district of Karnataka.
Coorg is famous for its coffee plantations, evergreen rainforests and spices. Thirty percent of its area is covered with the evergreen rainforests. The best season to visit this place is from September to March. The weather is perfect. The air is full of coffee flavour. There are beautiful colonial bungalows in prime corners.CoorgThe people of Coorg are independent and brave. They are of Greek or Arabic descent. According to a story, a part of Alexander’s army did not return and was settled here. They married the locals. This culture can be seen in the martial traditions, marriage and religious customs. Another theory says that these people originated from the Arabs. It is evident from the long, black coat worn by the people. It is like the keffiyeh worn by the Arabs and the Kurds.
Coorgi homes have a tradition of hospitality. They are brave people. Their tales of bravery are famous. The Coorg regiment is one of the most decorated in the Indian Army. The first Chief of the Indian Army, General Cariappa, was a Coorgi. Even today, the Kodavus are the only people in India who are allowed to carry firearms without a licence.

Coorg's CoffeeThere are a variety of natural scenes which can be enjoyed by tourists. Kaveri, the only river in the area, gets its water from Coorgi hill. This river is full of Mahseer, a large freshwater fish. One can see elephants, kingfishers, squirrels and langurs enjoying themselves in the lap of nature. Birds, bees and butterflies give one a good company here. Elephants enjoy being bathed here by their mahouts. The river and mountain offer various adventurous games like river rafting, canoeing, rappelling, rock climbing and mountain biking. The trekkers find numerous walking trails in this area. From the Brahmagiri hills, one can enjoy a panoramic view of the entire landscape of Coorg. There is a sixty-four-acre island of Nisargadhama nearby. It can be reached through a rope bridge. Buddhist monks are settled in Bylakuppe which is very close to this place. Their red ochre and yellow robes are very attractive to look at.

Theme/ Message

Theme

• Rich Cultural Heritage: Coorg's unique culture influenced by possible Greek or Arabic origins, martial traditions, and distinct customs.
• Natural Beauty and Wildlife: Emphasis on the lush landscapes, rivers, wildlife like elephants and fish, and the adventurous spirit of the region.
• Hospitality and Valor: Kodavus' tradition of hospitality and their proud history of bravery and valor.

Message

• The chapter conveys the beauty, rich culture, and adventurous spirit of Coorg while emphasizing the importance of tradition, hospitality, and courage.

Difficult Words

1. Martial: relating to or characteristic of war or warriors.
2. Colonial: relating to or characteristic of a colony or colonies.
3. Distinct: recognizably different in nature from something else of a similar type.
4. Embroidered: decorated with needlework.
5. Regiment: a permanent unit of an army typically commanded by a colonel.
6. Permitted: officially allowed to do something.
7. Freshwater: of, found in, or living in fresh water.
8. Rappelling: the controlled descent of a vertical drop using a rope.
9. Canoeing: the sport or activity of traveling in or paddling a canoe.
10. Loris: a small, nocturnal, slow-moving primate of Asia.