Glimpses of India Class 10 English First Flight Chapter 5 CBSE Notes 2025-26

Glimpses of India is a chapter from Class 10 English First Flight that gives readers a vivid insight into the cultural, geographical, and historical diversity of India through three unique stories – "A Baker from Goa", "Coorg", and "Tea from Assam". Each section brings out the special characteristics, traditions, and flavors that define their regions, helping students appreciate India’s varied heritage.

A Baker from Goa

This part describes the significance of bakers, known as "pader," in Goan villages. During the Portuguese era, the art of bread-making became deeply rooted in Goan households. The bakers baked bread in age-old furnaces, and their professional legacy is passed down from father to son. Today, their presence still lingers in some villages, marked by the familiar thud and jingle of the baker's bamboo staff as he arrives with his basket of loaves.

Children would hurry to greet the baker, not necessarily for bread loaves, but for ‘bread-bangles’ – a special favorite among them. 

Bread played an essential role in Goan social life: sweet bread, or ‘bol’, was vital for marriage gifts, cakes and ‘bolinhas’ were indispensable at Christmas and other festivals, and sandwiches were prepared for special occasions like a daughter’s engagement. 

The profession of baker was both prestigious and profitable, with bakers and their families enjoying a prosperous and plump appearance as a sign of their well-being.

The bakers traditionally wore "kabai," a long frock reaching the knees during the Portuguese days, and later, a shirt with trousers slightly shorter than full-length pants. Monthly accounts of the baker were often scribbled on household walls for easy reference. Even today, someone wearing half-pants below the knees might be said to be "dressed like a pader!"

Key Points about Goan Bread Culture

• Bread is central to Goan traditions—no celebration is complete without it.
• Bakery profession (pader) has survived the test of time and modern changes.
• The "kabai" marks the traditional dress of bakers, and their bamboo sticks were part of childhood memories for many.
• Their work earned them respect and ensured a steady, comfortable livelihood.

Coorg

Coorg, also called Kodagu, is the smallest district of Karnataka and is popularly known as ‘coffee country’ because of its sprawling coffee estates and aromatic air. About one third of Coorg is covered by lush, evergreen rainforests. 

During monsoons, heavy rainfall keeps many tourists away, but from September to March, the weather is pleasant, making it the best season to visit.

Coorg is famous for its vibrant flora and fauna, adventure activities, and unique history. The Kodavus, the native people, are believed to be of Greek or Arabic descent. 

Their martial traditions, distinct dress, religious customs, and legendary hospitality set them apart from the Hindu mainstream. The traditional attire for Coorg men includes the "kuppia," a long coat with an embroidered waist-belt, similar to those worn by Arabs and Kurds.

Main Attractions and Features of Coorg

• Coffee and spice plantations are spread throughout the district.
• Home to many birds, animals (macaques, Malabar squirrels, wild elephants), and vivid insects.
• Offers adventure sports like river rafting, rock climbing, mountain biking, and trekking.
• The hospitality of Coorgi homes is legendary, and their tales of valor are widely told.
• The river Kaveri, one of South India’s major rivers, originates here and supports aquatic life like the mahaseer fish.
• Coorg Regiment is highly decorated in the Indian Army; General Cariappa (first Army Chief) belonged to Coorg.
• Kodavus are only Indians legally permitted to carry firearms without a license.

Reaching Coorg involves travelling to Madikeri, the main town. The nearest airports are Mangalore (135 km) and Bangalore (260 km). 

Rail routes include Mysore, Mangalore, and Hassan. Road routes from Bangalore either go via Mysore or Neelamangala.

Natural Beauty and Adventure

Popular tourist spots include a trek up Brahmagiri Hill for panoramic views, the rope bridge to Nisargadhama (a 64-acre island), and Bylakuppe, which is home to India’s largest Tibetan settlement with monasteries and monks in colorful robes.

Tea from Assam

This story follows Rajvir, who visits his friend Pranjol’s home in Assam—a state known worldwide for its tea plantations. As they journey by train, Rajvir is struck by the endless green hills and seas of tea bushes. The chapter shares interesting facts, including that more than 80 crore cups of tea are consumed daily across the globe.

The tale includes legends about the origin of tea. One is of a Chinese emperor who discovered tea when boiling water got flavored by leaves that fell from twigs burning under the pot. 

Another Indian legend talks about Bodhidharma, a Buddhist ascetic whose cut eyelids sprouted into tea plants that could prevent sleep when brewed.

Assam boasts the largest concentration of tea plantations in the world. Tea is believed to have originated in China as far back as 2700 B.C. and came to Europe only in the sixteenth century, initially as a medicine, before becoming a popular drink.

As Rajvir, Pranjol, and his parents head to Dhekiabari Tea Estate, they pass endless rows of neatly pruned tea bushes with workers plucking fresh leaves, an activity that peaks during the second-flush (May to July) for the best tea yield. The description covers both the beauty and the hard work behind tea production.

Interesting Facts and Activities

• There are several legends and stories around the discovery and spread of tea.
• Tea was first consumed as a medicine in China before spreading as a beverage to Europe and India.
• Assam leads the world with its vast tea gardens and high production.
• Words like "tea," "chai," and "chini" trace their roots to Chinese.

Revision-based Practice Activities

The chapter includes comprehension questions and language exercises based on collocations, homophones, and word formation. 

There are also activities and prompts for comparative writing, description, and role-play. These help students solidify their understanding and develop writing and critical thinking skills.

Key Takeaways

• Glimpses of India covers topics from Portuguese-influenced Goan bakeries, the natural and cultural richness of Coorg, to Assam’s world-famous tea industry.
• Each section offers context about traditions, social importance, scenic beauty, and historical roots.
• Facts, anecdotes, and stories help students understand cultural diversity and importance of food, hospitality, and nature in Indian communities.

By revising these points, students will be able to answer both short and long answer type questions highlighting the essence of each place—Goa, Coorg, and Assam—in their own words.

Class 10 English Chapter 5 Notes – Glimpses of India: Key Points for Quick Revision

These concise revision notes for Class 10 English Chapter 5 – Glimpses of India cover all key facts and themes from the chapter. Students will get a clear overview of A Baker from Goa, Coorg, and Tea from Assam, making it simple to recall important points quickly.

With these notes, revising the essential traditions, stories, and diverse cultures of India becomes effortless. They assist in preparing detailed answers for exams and boost comprehension of the chapter’s interesting facts and questions.