Summary: “Dokchory Learns about the Panchayat” is Lesson 4 from the Sunbeam English Reader III, the Class 8 English textbook prescribed by ASSEB (Assam State Board of Secondary Education). The lesson follows Dokchory, a Class VIII student at Disangmukh Janajati High School, and her father Konke Mili, who works in the Panchayat Office. Each morning, Dokchory’s father drops her to school on his bicycle, and during their daily rides Dokchory asks him curious questions about the world around her. On one such morning, she spots workers repairing a road and asks her father about it. This leads to a detailed and engaging conversation about the Panchayati Raj system — India’s institution of local self-governance at the grassroots level.
Through the conversation with her father, Dokchory learns that long ago the word “Panchayat” meant a system of governance headed by five elderly men called Panch Gramin Pramukh, who resolved disputes and maintained order in villages. In modern India, however, the Panchayat is a constitutional body responsible for the all-round development of rural areas. Anyone above the age of twenty-one years can contest Panchayat elections. The Constitution of India grants the Panchayat the power to raise taxes, plan development schemes, and work for local development. The Panchayat builds and repairs rural roads, bridges, and houses for economically disadvantaged people, and issues ration cards. It raises revenue through taxes on vehicles, river ghats, bazaars, and beels, and also receives an annual grant from the Panchayat and Rural Development Department of the state government.
The lesson also introduces Dhaniram — a poor man who used to spend bitter cold December nights on the open verandah of the school building. Konke Mili explains that the Panchayat identified his need and built him a proper house, illustrating how the Panchayat directly improves the lives of the most vulnerable members of the community. Additionally, the lesson mentions that the Panchayat is building a home for differently-abled persons. Through Dokchory’s inquisitive questions and her father’s patient answers, the chapter teaches students about civic institutions, democratic participation, social responsibility, and the importance of local governance in a vibrant democracy like India.
Word Meanings / Vocabulary
| Word / Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Institution | An organisation or society established for a particular purpose |
| Elections | The exercise through which citizens vote for new leaders |
| Sincerity | Devotion to a purpose; the quality of being genuine and honest |
| Differently abled | Having a physical or mental condition that makes it difficult for a person to do all the work that other people do |
| Schemes | Plans for achieving an objective, especially government development plans |
| Substantial | Large in size or amount; considerable |
| Rural | Relating to a village or the countryside |
| Tax | Money that citizens of a country have to pay the government to help it carry out different kinds of work |
| Quarrel | An angry dispute; unfriendly relations with someone |
| Governance | The manner of governing or ruling a country, region, or organisation |
| Panch Gramin Pramukh | The five elderly village elders who traditionally headed a Panchayat |
| Grant | A sum of money given by a government or organisation for a specific purpose |
| Ration card | A government-issued card that entitles a household to subsidised food and essential commodities |
| Ghat | A landing place or series of steps leading down to a river; a riverside landing site |
| Beel | A shallow lake or marshy area, especially in Assam; a wetland |
Activity 1 — Match the Words with Their Meanings (Vocabulary)
(Match the words in Column A with their correct meanings in Column B.)
| Word (Column A) | Meaning (Column B) |
|---|---|
| Institution | An organisation or society |
| Elections | The exercise through which we vote for new leaders |
| Sincerity | Devotion to a purpose |
| Differently abled | Having a physical or mental condition that makes it difficult for a person to do all the work that other people do |
| Schemes | Plans |
| Substantial | Large in size or amount |
| Rural | Relating to a village or the countryside |
| Tax | The money citizens of a country have to pay the government to help it do different kinds of work |
| Quarrel | Angry dispute, unfriendly relations with someone |
| Governance | Manner of governing or ruling |
Activity 2 — Fill in the Blanks
(Complete the following sentences based on the lesson.)
(a) Dokchory studies in class ___.
Answer: Dokchory studies in class Eight (VIII).
(b) The name of her school is ___.
Answer: The name of her school is Disangmukh Janajati High School.
(c) Her father’s name is ___.
Answer: Her father’s name is Konke Mili.
(d) He works in the ___.
Answer: He works in the Panchayat Office.
(e) Dokchory goes to school by ___.
Answer: Dokchory goes to school by bicycle.
(f) She loves the ride because she ___.
Answer: She loves the ride because she gets to know new things every day.
(g) To contest Panchayat elections, one must be ___.
Answer: To contest Panchayat elections, one must be above twenty-one years old.
Activity 3 — Answer the Following Questions
(a) What was the meaning of Panchayat long ago?
Answer: Long ago, the word “Panchayat” meant a system of governance headed by five elderly men called Panch Gramin Pramukh. These five village elders resolved disputes, maintained order, and looked after the welfare of the village community.
(b) What is the meaning of Panchayat now?
Answer: Today, a Panchayat is a constitutional body responsible for the development of villages. It is a very important institution for social change and rural development. Unlike the past, anyone who is above twenty-one years of age can now contest Panchayat elections. The Constitution of India grants the Panchayat the power to raise taxes, plan development schemes, and work for local development.
(c) What kind of work is done by the Panchayat?
Answer: The Panchayat does a wide variety of developmental and welfare work. It builds and repairs rural roads and bridges. It constructs houses for poor and economically disadvantaged people. It issues ration cards and looks after sanitation, health, education, and water supply. The Panchayat also works for social change and plans development schemes for the overall improvement of the village.
(d) Where does the Panchayat get money from?
Answer: The Panchayat raises money from taxes on vehicles, river ghats, bazaars, and beels. It also receives an annual grant from the Panchayat and Rural Development Department of the state government. Additionally, contributions from the local MLA or Minister’s fund may also help finance Panchayat projects.
(e) How did the Panchayat help Dhaniram?
Answer: The Panchayat identified that Dhaniram was a very poor man with no house of his own. It sanctioned funds and constructed a proper house for him, so that he no longer had to sleep on the open verandah of the school building during the bitter cold winter months.
(f) How did Dhaniram spend cold December nights before the Panchayat helped him?
Answer: Before the Panchayat helped him, Dhaniram had no house. He used to spend the bitter cold December nights on the open verandah of the school building, exposed to the cold and without proper shelter.
Activity 4 — Complete the Table about the Panchayat
(Fill in the table with information about the Panchayat based on the lesson.)
| Aspect | Information |
|---|---|
| Meaning (long ago) | A system of governance headed by five elderly men called Panch Gramin Pramukh |
| Meaning (today) | A constitutional body responsible for the development of villages and an important institution for social change |
| Minimum age to contest elections | Above 21 years |
| Constitutional powers | Power to raise taxes, plan development schemes, and work for local development |
| Types of work | Building and repairing roads, bridges, and houses for the poor; issuing ration cards; looking after sanitation, health, education, and water supply |
| Sources of money | Taxes on vehicles, river ghats, bazaars, and beels; annual government grants from the Panchayat and Rural Development Department; MLA/Minister fund contributions |
Activity 5 — Speaking: Prepare a Morning Assembly Speech
In the lesson, Dokchory gives a morning assembly speech about Mahatma Gandhi. Prepare a short morning assembly speech about a great person of your choice.
Answer (Sample Speech — About Mahatma Gandhi):
“Good morning to our respected teachers and dear friends. Today I would like to speak a few words about the Father of our Nation, Mahatma Gandhi.
Mahatma Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, Gujarat. His full name was Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. He led India’s struggle for independence from British rule through the path of truth and non-violence, which he called Satyagraha. His historic Salt March of 1930, also known as the Dandi March, inspired millions of Indians to join the freedom movement. He worked tirelessly for the removal of untouchability, the upliftment of the poor, and the unity of all communities.
Mahatma Gandhi’s life teaches us that we can fight injustice without violence. His values of truth, simplicity, and service to humanity are a guiding light for all of us. Let us always remember his teachings in our daily lives. Thank you.”
Activity 6 — Group Discussion
(a) Do you think we should help a person in need immediately, or wait and think about it? Give reasons.
Answer: We should help a person in need immediately, without delay. When someone is suffering or struggling, waiting only makes their situation worse. Immediate help can prevent further hardship and may even save lives. Delaying help when it is within our power to act is both thoughtless and unkind. As responsible members of a community, we have a duty to respond promptly to the needs of others. Helping someone in their time of difficulty is one of the most meaningful things we can do as human beings.
(b) How should we help persons with special needs or differently-abled persons?
Answer: We should help differently-abled persons with kindness, respect, and genuine concern. We must first ensure that they have access to their basic needs — food, shelter, clothing, and medical care. We should treat them as equals and never make them feel inferior or embarrassed. Schools and public places should have facilities like ramps and accessible toilets for them. The government and community should provide vocational training and employment opportunities so that differently-abled persons can lead independent and dignified lives. Most importantly, we should change our attitude and see them as capable individuals who deserve equal opportunities.
(c) Do you think Konke Mili’s plan to build a house for Dhaniram was the right thing to do? Give reasons.
Answer: Yes, Konke Mili’s plan to build a house for Dhaniram through the Panchayat was absolutely the right thing to do. Dhaniram was a poor and homeless man who had to endure bitter cold nights on the open verandah of the school building. Providing him with a house addressed his most fundamental need — shelter. This act of the Panchayat demonstrates how local governance can directly improve the lives of the most vulnerable members of society. However, in addition to providing housing, the Panchayat could also arrange for vocational training or employment opportunities for Dhaniram, so that he can become self-sufficient and contribute to the community.
Activity 7 — Writing: What Will You Do for Your Village or Town?
Write a paragraph on what you will do for your village or town when you grow up.
Answer (Sample Paragraph):
When I grow up, I want to work sincerely for the development of my village. I will first ensure that every household in my village has access to clean drinking water, because safe water is essential for good health. I will work with the Panchayat to improve the condition of the roads and arrange proper drainage and sanitation facilities. I will encourage children to go to school and help set up a library so that young people can access books and knowledge. I also want to help the elderly and differently-abled members of my community by arranging medical camps and welfare schemes. I believe that a village grows when its people care for each other, and I am determined to be a responsible and active citizen who contributes to the well-being of my community.
Activity 8 — Grammar: Reported Speech and Imperatives
Part A: Change the following direct questions into reported (indirect) speech.
Note: When a direct question (wh-question) is changed to reported speech, the question word is retained, the auxiliary verb is removed or rearranged, and the tense is changed. The reporting verb is usually “asked.”
(a) Direct: “What kind of work do you do?”
Answer: Reported: She asked her father what kind of work he did.
(b) Direct: “Where do you get all the money from?”
Answer: Reported: She asked her father where they got all the money from.
(c) Direct: “Is that enough to do so much work?”
Answer: Reported: She asked her father if that was enough to do so much work.
(d) Direct: “Why don’t you build a house for poor Dhaniram?”
Answer: Reported: She asked him why they did not build a house for poor Dhaniram.
(e) Direct: “What is a Panchayat?”
Answer: Reported: She asked him what a Panchayat was.
Part B: Change the following imperative sentences into their negative and emphatic forms.
Note: The negative of an imperative is formed by adding “Don’t” before the verb. The emphatic form is made by adding “Do” before the verb to give emphasis.
| Imperative (Positive) | Negative Form | Emphatic Form |
|---|---|---|
| Repair the roads. | Don’t repair the roads. | Do repair the roads. |
| Build a house for Dhaniram. | Don’t build a house for Dhaniram. | Do build a house for Dhaniram. |
| Work for local development. | Don’t work for local development. | Do work for local development. |
| Close the door, please. | Don’t close the door, please. | Do close the door, please. |
| Please wash your hands. | Please don’t wash your hands. | Please do wash your hands. |
Activity 9 — Pronunciation: Words with the “ch” Sound
Identify words from the lesson and other known words that contain the “ch” sound (as in “church”). List them below.
Answer: The following words contain the “ch” sound:
- Panchayat — the “ch” in the middle produces a “ch” sound
- Child
- Change
- Church
- Much
- Touch
- Charge
- Chat
- Hatch
- Inch
- Sketch
- Reach
Note: The “ch” in words of French or Greek origin (e.g., machine, school, character) makes a different sound — /ʃ/ or /k/ — not the typical English “ch” sound.
Activity 10 — Find the Adjectives
Find adjectives from the lesson that can describe the following nouns. (Crossword / Fill-in activity.)
| Adjective | Noun | Phrase from lesson |
|---|---|---|
| Open | Verandah | the open verandah of the school building |
| Annual | Grant | annual grant from the government |
| Rural | Roads | rural roads and bridges |
| Tiny | Institution | tiny but important institution |
| Good | Things | gets to know good things |
| Social | Change | institution for social change |
| Important | Questions | Dokchory asks important questions |
| Bitter | Cold | bitter cold December nights |
Activity 11 — Word Pairs: Spot the Difference
The following pairs of words look or sound similar but have different meanings. Write the meaning of each word.
| Word 1 | Meaning | Word 2 | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diary | A personal daily record of events and thoughts | Dairy | A place where milk and milk products are produced or sold |
| Weather | The atmospheric conditions at a particular time and place (rain, sun, wind, etc.) | Whether | A conjunction expressing doubt or a choice between alternatives |
| Lake | A large body of still water surrounded by land | Like | To find something pleasant; similar to |
| Wash | To clean something with water | Wish | To desire or hope for something |
| New | Recently made or not used before; fresh | Now | At the present time; immediately |
Additional Questions and Answers
Q1. Who is Dokchory? Describe her briefly.
Answer: Dokchory is the main character of this lesson. She is a Class VIII student at Disangmukh Janajati High School. Her father, Konke Mili, works in the Panchayat Office. Every morning, her father takes her to school on his bicycle. Dokchory is a curious and inquisitive girl — she loves the daily bicycle ride because she gets to observe the world around her and learn new things by asking her father questions. Her name means “a necklace of beads.”
Q2. What does the name “Dokchory” mean?
Answer: The name “Dokchory” means a necklace of beads.
Q3. What is the Panchayati Raj system?
Answer: The Panchayati Raj system is India’s system of local self-governance at the village level. It was given constitutional status under the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992. Under this system, a Gram Panchayat is responsible for the development and administration of a village or group of villages. The system ensures democratic participation at the grassroots level and gives local communities the power to plan and implement their own development. The Constitution grants the Panchayat the power to raise taxes, issue ration cards, build infrastructure, and carry out social welfare schemes.
Q4. What is a Gram Sabha?
Answer: A Gram Sabha is a village assembly consisting of all the registered voters of a Gram Panchayat area. It is the basic democratic unit of the Panchayati Raj system. All adult members of the village can attend and participate in Gram Sabha meetings, where important decisions about the village’s development are discussed and approved. It provides villagers with a direct platform to voice their opinions, raise problems, and hold the Panchayat accountable.
Q5. Why is the Panchayat called an important institution for social change?
Answer: The Panchayat is called an important institution for social change because it works at the grassroots level to improve the lives of ordinary people in rural areas. It builds infrastructure like roads, bridges, and houses; addresses social issues like poverty, homelessness, and lack of sanitation; and ensures that development reaches every section of society, including the poorest and most vulnerable. By empowering local communities to govern themselves, the Panchayat promotes democratic values, equality, and social responsibility, all of which bring about meaningful social change.
Q6. How does the story of Dhaniram illustrate the role of the Panchayat?
Answer: The story of Dhaniram is a concrete example of how the Panchayat changes individual lives. Dhaniram was a homeless and very poor man who had no shelter and was forced to spend cold December nights on the open verandah of the school building. The Panchayat identified his need, sanctioned funds from its resources, and built him a proper house. This illustrates that the Panchayat is not merely an administrative body — it is an institution that responds to human suffering and works with sincerity to uplift those who are most in need within the community.
Q7. What can you do to help your local Panchayat or local body in its work?
Answer: As a student and a citizen, there are several ways to help the local Panchayat or local body:
- Keep the surroundings clean and encourage others to maintain cleanliness and hygiene.
- Pay taxes honestly and on time.
- Participate actively in Gram Sabha meetings when we are adults.
- Report problems like broken roads, blocked drains, or lack of water supply to the Panchayat.
- Spread awareness among villagers about government schemes and their rights.
- Volunteer for community development activities such as tree plantation, health camps, and literacy drives.
- Avoid quarrels and help maintain peace and harmony in the community.
Q8. Why does Dokchory love her morning rides to school?
Answer: Dokchory loves her morning rides to school because during those rides she gets to observe many new things happening around her in the village. Her curious and inquisitive nature prompts her to ask her father questions about whatever she sees. Through these conversations, she learns something new every day — about the world, about society, and about the government institutions that shape community life. The morning ride is not just a commute for Dokchory; it is an opportunity for learning and discovery.