A Devoted Son

📖 1. Understanding the Text

a. How did the morning papers bring an ambiance of celebration to the Varma family?
=> Answer: The morning newspapers filled the Varma home with joy by announcing that Rakesh had achieved the highest rank in the country's medical examinations, bringing immense honor to his working-class household.

b. How did the community celebrate Rakesh’s success?
=> Answer: Neighbors and well-wishers flooded into the Varma residence to congratulate the family. They decorated the house with colorful flower garlands, brought traditional sweets, and held a festive gathering in the courtyard.

c. Why was Rakesh’s success a special matter of discussion in the neighborhood?
=> Answer: Rakesh was the first person in his family to attain higher education. The neighbors were particularly impressed by his unyielding humility; upon hearing the news, he immediately bowed and touched his father's feet as a mark of gratitude.

d. How does the author make fun of the words ‘America’ and ‘the USA’?
=> Answer: The author uses light satire through Mr. Varma, who firmly preferred using "the USA" over "America." He claimed that "America" was an uneducated term used by common neighbors, whereas "the USA" sounded much more distinguished.

e. How does the author characterize Rakesh’s wife?
=> Answer: Veena, Rakesh's wife, is characterized as an uneducated, traditional village girl. She is described as plump, unpretentious, quiet, and obedient, living a simple life focused on household routine.

f. Describe how Rakesh rises in his career.
=> Answer: After topping his medical exams in India, Rakesh earned a scholarship for advanced studies in the United States. Upon returning, he served as the director at the city hospital before establishing a flourishing private clinic that made him wealthy and renowned.

g. How does the author describe Rakesh’s family background?
=> Answer: Rakesh belonged to a humble working-class family. His grandfather was a vegetable vendor, and his father worked as a clerk at a kerosene store. Despite severe poverty, his parents invested everything they had into his education.

h. What is the impact of Rakesh’s mother’s death on his father?
=> Answer: The death of his wife left Mr. Varma brokenhearted, lonely, and physically weak. Without his lifelong companion, his health rapidly declined, and he developed a series of chronic ailments alongside severe mood swings.

i. What did Rakesh do to make his father’s old age more comfortable?
=> Answer: Rakesh personally served his father morning tea in his favorite brass tumbler, brought him daily news, helped him walk down the veranda steps, and carried his bed outdoors every evening so he could sleep under the stars.

j. Why did the old man try to bribe his grandchildren?
=> Answer: Banned from eating rich and fried foods due to his health condition, Mr. Varma secretly gave coins to his grandchildren to buy him forbidden treats like jalebis from the corner market.

k. Are Mr. Varma’s complaints about his diet reasonable? How?
=> Answer: Physically, his complaints are unreasonable because Rakesh's diet plan was designed to manage chronic disease and prolong his life. Psychologically, however, his frustration is understandable, as losing total control over his food robbed him of joy and personal dignity.

🔍 2. Reference to the Context

a. How did the Varma couple make sacrifices for their son’s higher education?
=> Answer: Lacking formal education, Mr. Varma worked long hours in a kerosene depot while his wife maintained a frugal household. They cut back on personal necessities and saved every rupee to fund Rakesh's schooling, putting his career development above their own comfort.

b. Mr. Varma suffers from diseases one after another after his wife’s death. Would he have enjoyed better health if she had not died before him? Give reasons.
=> Answer: Yes, he likely would have enjoyed better overall health. The sudden loss of his spouse caused emotional shock and chronic loneliness, which negatively impacted his physical wellbeing. Having his wife beside him would have provided emotional reassurance, lowered his stress levels, and kept his spirits high.

c. Dr. Rakesh is divided between being a doctor and a son. What else could Rakesh have done to make his father’s final years more comfortable?
=> Answer: Rakesh could have combined his clinical duties with greater emotional sensitivity. Instead of acting purely as a strict medical officer, he could have shown flexibility, allowed safe minor treats occasionally, and respected his father’s emotional need for choice and dignity in his final years.

d. What does the story say about the relationship between grandfather and grandchildren?
=> Answer: The story portrays a bond built on genuine affection alongside mutual convenience. Mr. Varma seeks emotional warmth from his grandchildren, but he also uses their innocence to bypass his son's rigid dietary rules, bribing them for street sweets to regain a feeling of control.

e. Do you call Rakesh a devoted son? Give reasons.
=> Answer: Rakesh is a devoted son in terms of duty and intention. He consistently fulfilled his parents' desires by securing top marks, accepting an arranged marriage, returning home from abroad, and applying his medical expertise to keep his father alive. His devotion became overbearing only because his clinical authority replaced emotional warmth.

🌐 3. Reference Beyond the Text

a. Essay: Parents’ Ambition for Their Children in Nepali Society

Parental ambition plays a pivotal role in shaping a child's future in Nepali society. Families invest heavily in their children's education, viewing professional accomplishment as the pathway to security and social status. While this encouragement drives many young people to excel, unmanaged pressure can cause stress when expectations conflict with a child's personal passions.

In modern Nepali households, parental goals commonly focus on specific career paths:

1. •
   Prestigious Technical Fields: Students who excel in science are systematically encouraged to pursue medicine or engineering regardless of individual artistic interests.
2. •
   International Opportunities: Families prioritize foreign degrees in nations like Australia, the US, or the UK to secure social prestige and economic mobility.
3. •
   Civil Service (Lok Sewa): Government jobs are prized for their lifetime security, pensions, and institutional respect.
4. •
   Parental Stream Selection: Academic specialization right after secondary school (SEE) is frequently chosen by parents rather than the student.
5. •
   Community Comparison: Academic performance is often used as a measure of household prestige among relatives and neighbors.

Parental direction is invaluable, but true success requires balance. Parents achieve the best outcomes when they listen to their children's interests and support their individual talents rather than enforcing a rigid blueprint.

b. Reducing Medical Dependency in Old Age

As humans age, physiological decline weakens immunity and bodily systems, leading to increased reliance on medications. Establishing healthy habits early in life can greatly lower pharmaceutical dependency in late adulthood:

• •
  Daily Physical Exercise: Moderate routines like walking, swimming, or light yoga maintain joint flexibility and cardiovascular health.
• •
  Balanced Nutrition: Eating a diet rich in vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats keeps metabolic functions stable.
• •
  Consistent Sleep: Securing 7–8 hours of restful sleep every night supports cognitive functioning and cell repair.
• •
  Proper Hydration: Drinking adequate water prevents kidney strain, joint pain, and fatigue.
• •
  Avoiding Toxins: Refraining from smoking and excessive alcohol consumption protects against chronic conditions like hypertension and diabetes.

c. Essay: Care of Elderly Citizens

Caring for the elderly is a fundamental ethical duty that reflects the maturity of a society. Late adulthood brings physical vulnerability, chronic health issues, and psychological sensitivity. Senior citizens require steady care, respect, and a comforting environment to spend their final years with dignity.

In contemporary times, fast-paced lifestyles and changing social dynamics have led some individuals to treat senior relatives as logistical or financial obligations. Neglecting elderly family members causes intense loneliness, overlooking the sacrifices they made while raising the next generation.

Effective senior care addresses both physical requirements and emotional health. Beyond nutritious meals, comfortable shelter, and healthcare, older adults need meaningful companionship and inclusion. Simple acts like sitting together, listening to their memories, and involving them in family discussions relieve feelings of isolation.

Ultimately, caring for older adults is both a personal family duty and a broader social responsibility. Government safety nets offer vital support, but genuine care starts at home through patience, empathy, and active gratitude.