Question 1.
What havoc has the super cyclone wreaked in the life of the people of Orissa?
Answer:
The cyclone brought heavy rains and strong winds. As a result, majority of the houses had blown away and only the strong cement houses were spared. Dirty water covered the land as far as the eye could see. Many people lost their lives. There were floating human bodies and bloated animal carcasses all around. Even the strongest of the trees had been uprooted. The scenes were gruesome. Many people lost their relatives and many children had become orphans. There was shortage of food. People were sad and helpless and a pall of gloom had descended on the people all around.

Question 2.
How has Prashant, a teenager, been able to help the people of his village?
Answer:
The cyclone in the village left many children orphaned. There were many destitute women. Prashant brought them together. He put up a polythene sheet shelter for them. Women were requested to look after the children. He organised a cricket match for the cricket loving people. The government started a movement to set up institutions for orphans and destitute women. But Prashant and his . group opposed the move. They insisted that orphans should be resettled in their own community itself. Prashant is a role model.

Question 3.
How have the people of the community helped one another? What role do the women of Kalikuda play during these days?
Answer:
In the hour of grief, the people of the community joined their heads and hands under the leadership of Prashant. They came forward to help one another. Prashant brought the survivors together and formed a youth task force. The youth took the charge and volunteered themselves for cleaning the shelters of filth, urine, vomit and floating carcasses. They tended to the wounds of the injured people.

The women of Kalikuda played a very important role during the hour of grief. They took care of the orphaned children. They also worked in an NGO-run programme. As an educated youth, we must volunteer in relief work. I would have been an active member of the youth task force and helped the victims. The incident reflects the value of universal brotherhood and compassion.

Question 4.
Why do Prashant and other volunteers resist the plan to set up institutions for orphans and widows? What alternatives do they consider?
Answer:
The plan to set up institutions for orphans and widows was resisted by Prashant and other volunteers. It was felt that in such an institution, children would grow up without love and the widows would suffer from stigma and loneliness. They considered an alternative plan. They decided to resettle the orphans in their own community. New foster families of childless widows and orphaned children were made up.

I support Prashant and his team. Setting up a rehab centre or any institution does not serve the purpose. The children and women in such institutions are alienated from the mainstream. They grow up without love and care. The victims of any natural calamity must be resettled among their own people. It also brings harmony among them.

Question 5.
Do you think Prashant is a good leader? Do you think young people can get together to help people during natural calamities?
Answer:
Yes, Prashant is a good leader. The super cyclone had wreaked havoc in the village. Prashant proved himself the leader. He organised the people and motivated them to help one another. He encouraged the women to take care of the orphans and work in an NGO-run programme. He is, indeed, a role model of youth. I think the young people can get together to help people during the natural calamities. They can contact and coordinate the civic agencies in the resettlement programmes. With their cooperation, the relief work can get speeded up.