# When the Earth Shook!

## Overview
This chapter tells the story of Jasma, a girl from Gujarat, and her experiences during and after a major earthquake in 2001. It explores the destruction caused by the disaster, the collective efforts of villagers and helpers to rebuild their lives, and valuable lessons on earthquake preparedness and safety.

## Key Topics Covered

### 1. A Bad Dream – Remembering the Earthquake
- Jasma recounts a terrifying dream that brings back memories of the earthquake that shook Gujarat on 26 January 2001.
- People were watching a Republic Day parade when the ground started shaking violently.
- The entire village was destroyed, and many people were injured or trapped under rubble.

### 2. Immediate Aftermath and Rescue Efforts
- Jasma’s house collapsed, and her leg was fractured.
- Six people died in her village, including her grandfather.
- The local hospital was damaged; treatment was done with help from villagers and doctors.
- Motabapu, the village sarpanch, provided food from his godown and helped organize cooking for all.

### 3. Cold Nights and Fear
- With no houses and cold weather, people had sleepless nights fearing more tremors.
- Villagers helped each other emotionally and physically.

### 4. Help from Outside
- Relief came from people in cities: food, clothes, medicines.
- Tents were set up to provide shelter in the winter months.
- Scientists, engineers, and architects arrived to study and assist in rebuilding.

### 5. Rebuilding the Village
- Engineers proposed safer house designs to withstand future earthquakes.
- Villagers agreed to rebuild using traditional methods with safety features.
- Community effort: clay and cow dung walls, mirror decorations, and thatched roofs.

### 6. Earthquake Safety Practice
- Emergency drills were conducted in Jasma’s school.
- Key safety tips shared:
- Run to open space if possible.
- If inside, hide under strong furniture and hold it tightly.

### 7. Real TV Report – The Bhuj Earthquake
- News from Ahmedabad reported thousands feared dead and many buildings collapsed.
- Rescue efforts were led by the Army and local people.
- Nationwide and international support arrived quickly.

### 8. Understanding Disaster Impact
- Students are asked to think and write about:
- Safer building construction
- Needs of affected people
- The role of neighbors and rescue teams during disasters

### 9. Natural Disasters: Beyond Earthquakes
- Mentions floods, droughts, and famine.
- Activities include:
- Making news reports about disasters
- Listing emergency contact numbers
- Practicing responses for emergencies

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## New Terms and Simple Definitions

| Term | Simple Definition |
|--------------------|------------------|
| Earthquake | A sudden shaking of the ground caused by movements under the Earth |
| Disaster | A sudden event causing great damage or suffering |
| Rescue | To save someone from a dangerous situation |
| Tents | Temporary shelters made of cloth or plastic |
| Architect | A person who designs buildings |
| Engineer | A person who builds or fixes structures like houses and roads |
| Sarpanch | The elected head of a village |
| Famine | A situation where many people don’t have enough food to eat |
| Fracture | A break in a bone |
| Thatched Roof | A roof made from dry grass or leaves |

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## Practice Questions

### Easy (3)
1. **What natural disaster did Jasma experience?**
**Ans**: Jasma experienced an earthquake.

2. **What was the date of the Gujarat earthquake mentioned in the chapter?**
**Ans**: 26 January 2001.

3. **What kind of shelters were provided after the earthquake?**
**Ans**: Plastic tents were provided.

### Medium (2)
4. **How did Motabapu help the villagers after the earthquake?**
**Ans**: He gave food from his godown and allowed cooking at his house for everyone.

5. **Why were people afraid of the new house designs?**
**Ans**: They feared their village would lose its traditional look.

### Difficult (3)
6. **Why is it important to build earthquake-safe houses?**
**Ans**: So that buildings don’t collapse and people can stay safe during an earthquake.

7. **How did the villagers rebuild their houses after the earthquake?**
**Ans**: They used clay, cow dung, and decorated the houses with mirrors and whitewash.

8. **What role did scientists and engineers play after the disaster?**
**Ans**: Scientists studied the earthquake-prone areas; engineers gave safe house designs.

### Very Difficult (2)
9. **What lessons can we learn from Jasma’s village about disaster recovery and resilience?**
**Ans**: Working together as a community, accepting help, using local resources, and planning safely can help rebuild life after a disaster.

10. **How can we prepare ourselves and others for natural disasters like earthquakes?**
**Ans**: By practicing safety drills, building strong structures, knowing emergency contacts, and helping one another in times of need.

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