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NCERT Solutions for Class 7th English Chapter 5 A Homage to Our Brave Soldiers — Let us discuss

Book page 187 & 188 Updated on2026-09-19

Q1.
Complete the table given below. An example has been done for you. Check your answers with the teacher.
Name of the War HeroContribution and AchievementAward Given
Major Somnath SharmaBattle of Badgam in 1947First Param Vir Chakra awarded posthumously
Captain Mahendra Nath Mulla  
Lance Naik Albert Ekka  
Major Padmapani Acharya  
The table as printed on page 187, with row 1 filled in as the example.
Answer

All four rows can be filled from the letter and the two citations printed in it.

Name of the War HeroContribution and AchievementAward Given
Major Somnath SharmaBattle of Badgam in 1947 (example given)First Param Vir Chakra, awarded posthumously
Captain Mahendra Nath MullaNavy officer in the 1971 India-Pakistan War; showed exemplary courage and leadershipMaha Vir Chakra (MVC)
Lance Naik Albert Ekka, 14 Guards1971 war, attack on the enemy defence at Gangasagar on the eastern front — silenced a Light Machine Gun and then a Medium Machine Gun though seriously wounded, and made the supreme sacrificeParam Vir Chakra (PVC), posthumously
Major Padmapani Acharya, 2 Rajputana RiflesKargil War, 28 June 1999 — as Company Commander led the reserve platoon through artillery fire and captured a heavily fortified enemy position; succumbed to his injuriesMaha Vir Chakra (MVC), posthumously
Did you know? The letter tells us that 21 bravehearts have been awarded the Param Vir Chakra. The other medals Soumya's teacher named are the Maha Vir Chakra (MVC), Kirti Chakra (KC), Vir Chakra (VrC) and Shaurya Chakra (SC).
Q2.
Find the paragraph(s) and sentences in the text that evoke the feelings given below. 1. feeling of wonder
Answer

The paragraph in which the teacher reads out Lance Naik Albert Ekka's citation:

“It touched my heart and also motivated me. We were awestruck and humbled by his bravery.”

The paragraph describing the four chakras ends in the same tone of wonder: “It also houses bronze and stone murals and graphic panels. Isn't it amazing!”

Q3.
2. heartening
Answer

The paragraph about the gallantry awards begins with the word itself:

“It was heartening to know that our government has recognised the sacrifice of brave soldiers. Our teacher told us about the 21 bravehearts who were awarded the Param Vir Chakra (PVC), India's highest wartime gallantry medal, for their service to the nation.”
Why it is heartening: the sacrifice is not forgotten. A medal, a citation and a tablet with a name on it are a country's way of saying that it remembers.
Q4.
3. sense of motivation
Answer

Two places carry this feeling clearly:

  • After the citation is read out — “It touched my heart and also motivated me. … I aspire to be courageous like him when I join the Army!”
  • At the end of the day at the memorial — “It motivated me to live a life worthy of the sacrifices of our heroes.”
Notice: Soumya's motivation is not a wish to fight. It is a wish to be worthy — to live a life that deserves the freedom she has been given.
Q5.
4. pride
Answer

In the paragraph about the Amar Jawan Jyoti and the wreaths:

“It truly is a majestic site that filled me with pride for our nation.”
Q6.
5. visually inspiring
Answer

Two sentences describe the memorial as something to look at:

  • “The lighting design is planned in such a way that it transforms the monument's landscape as sunlight changes from dawn to dusk.”
  • “The overall environment created an emotive experience that was visually inspiring.”
Q7.
6. sadness
Answer

In the paragraph that closes the day's visit:

“I learnt a lot, but I also have to admit that the various discourses during the day brought tears to my eyes. It was sad to think about the massive devastation and loss of life caused by wars.”
Why the book keeps this in: the letter never pretends that war is glorious. It says plainly that war “always takes its toll”. That is exactly why a memorial exists — “so that we should never forget the cost of freedom”.
Q8.
7. gratitude
Answer

In the paragraph about what the teacher explained at the entrance:

“…the freedom and security we enjoy today is because of the many brave men and women who have served in the Indian Armed Forces over decades.”

Ananda says the same thing in her reply letter: “…it is also an expression of deep gratitude for the supreme sacrifice made by our brave soldiers defending the sovereignty and integrity of the country.”

Q9.
8. inspiration
Answer

Inspiration runs through both letters:

  • Soumya: “Let me begin by asking you to guess the name of the monument that I found most inspiring.”
  • Ananda: “I was inspired by your idea of presenting the valourous stories of India's soldiers.”
  • Ananda's closing line: “I am inspired by your letter!”
Q10.
Which is India’s highest gallantry award?
Answer

The Param Vir Chakra (PVC).

The letter calls it “India's highest wartime gallantry medal”. It was first awarded to Major Somnath Sharma, posthumously, for the Battle of Badgam in 1947, and so far 21 bravehearts have received it.

Tip: the words mean what they say — param (highest) + vir (brave) + chakra (wheel, a medal). Below it come the Maha Vir Chakra and the Vir Chakra.
Q11.
How would Ananda feel after reading this letter?
Answer

Ananda would feel moved, grateful, proud and inspired — and we do not have to guess, because her reply tells us so.

  • Pleased: “It was such a pleasure to receive your letter. I enjoyed reading your experience…”
  • Grateful and respectful: she calls a war memorial “an expression of deep gratitude for the supreme sacrifice made by our brave soldiers”.
  • Motivated: “I feel motivated and I am seriously thinking of joining the Armed Forces to serve my motherland.”
  • Reflective: the letter reminds her of her own visit to the war memorial in Chandigarh and of the poem ‘Pushp ki Abhilasha’.
  • Inspired: her last line is “I am inspired by your letter!”
Q12.
Do you think Soumya enjoyed writing this letter? Why or why not?
Answer

Yes, she clearly enjoyed writing it.

Three things in the letter show it:

  1. She says so herself at the end — “I have written a long letter as I could not help sharing this inspiring experience with you.” A person who could not help writing is a person who wanted to write.
  2. She plays with her friend instead of simply reporting — “Let me begin by asking you to guess the name of the monument… Let's see if you can guess.”
  3. She keeps the warm, chatty tone of friendship right to the last line — “I miss your mom's chhole bhature. You know I am a foodie! Say hello to Amit.”
Why it reads that way: the letter mixes two moods — the solemn one of the memorial and the affectionate one of a friend. Only someone enjoying the writing would move so easily between the two.
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