Skip to main content

The Portrait of a Lady by Khushwant Singh summary

Class 11 English notes

Summary 

 Chapter – 1
The Portrait of a Lady

By Khushwant Singh

Summary

Khushwant  is one of the prominent Indian writers and columnists. He has written on various themes and issues. In this lesson he gives a detailed account of his grandmother who had a  long association with him. The old, stout, short and a little bent grandmother are clad in white clothes and keeps on telling beads of her rosary.
During their long stay in village, the grandmother used to wake up the narrator in the morning and accompanied him to school. She took care of all small things and continued her regular prayers and reading of scriptures. On the way back home she fed straydogs with stale chapatis.
Shifting to city ho me was a turning point as it increased distances in their relationship. Now, the author was going to a city school and studying all modern day subjects. The grandmother was not able to help the author in his studies and she felt disturbed as there was no teaching of God and scriptures.
The grandmother devoted her time in praying, spinning and feeding sparrows. She did not get disturbed when the author was leaving for abroad and saw him off maintaining her peace and calm. Seeing her old age, the narrator thought that that could be his last meeting with his affectionate grandmother. But, contrary to his thinking after a span of five years the grandmother was there to receive him. She celebrated her grandson’s home coming in an usual way by beating a drum and singing. She had a peaceful end and everyone including sparrows got aggrieved at the demise of a bold, religious, practical, responsible and loving person.


Comments

Read this Article

Climate Change and Los Angeles Wildfires

  Climate Change and Los Angeles Wildfires: A Growing Crisis Wildfires in Los Angeles have become more frequent and destructive, largely driven by climate change. Rising global temperatures, prolonged droughts, and extreme weather events are fueling this escalating problem, posing serious risks to people, property, and the environment. How Climate Change Fuels Los Angeles Wildfires 1. Rising Temperatures Climate change has led to higher temperatures, creating hotter and drier conditions. These extreme conditions dry out vegetation, turning it into flammable fuel for wildfires. 2. Longer Fire Seasons California’s wildfire season now spans almost the entire year. This extended season is caused by earlier snowmelt, reduced rainfall, and prolonged dry spells due to climate change. 3. Drought and Vegetation Stress Persistent droughts in Los Angeles weaken vegetation, making it more susceptible to fires. Climate change exacerbates these droughts, increasing wildfire risks. 4. Extreme Wea...

A organic material manure

 An organic material used as a natural fertilizer to enrich the nutrients of soil and promote plant growth is Manure.  It primarily or mainly consists of animal waste (like cow dung, horse manure, poultry droppings) mixed with bedding materials such as straw or hay. Manure provides essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to the soil, improving its fertility and structure. Types of Manure:__ 1. Green Manure: This type of manure is made by growing and plowing under specific plants (e.g., legumes) to improve soil fertility. 2. Animal Manure: This kind of manure is produced from livestock waste, commonly used in farming. 3. Compost Manure: This kind of manure is made by decomposing organic household and garden waste into nutrient-rich humus. Benefits of Manure are as follows:__ __It enhances structure of soil by improving aeration and drainage. __It provides essential nutrients for plant growth. __It encourages microbial activity in the soil, making nutr...

Indian standard code for civil engineering

What are IS Codes for Civil Engineering? IS codes, also known as Indian Standard codes, are a collection of standards formulated by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for diverse aspects of civil engineering. These codes offer guidelines, specifications, and safety prerequisites for construction materials, design parameters, testing techniques, and construction practices. They serve as a reference to guarantee consistency, safety, and excellence in civil engineering projects throughout India. List of IS Codes for Civil Engineering IS Code for Cement and Concrete IS 269:1989: Ordinary Portland cement, OPC 33 IS 383:1970: Coarse and Fine aggregates from natural sources for concrete IS 455:1989: Portland slag cement IS 456:2000: Code of practice for plain concrete and reinforced concrete (PCC and RCC) IS  code >>> read more