Odia Medium Class 8 Sahitya Surabhi Chapter 6 Notes: Ebe Madhya Banchibi

Class 8 Odia Sahitya Surabhi Chapter 6 Notes – Ebe Madhya Banchibi

First Paragraph: The Grim Face of Famine and Inner Conflict

This story is based on the psychological conflict of a poor yet self-respecting man named ‘Benudhar’. The dark shadow of famine has spread across the country. Everywhere, there is scarcity, starvation, and the horror of death. Wearing his torn shirt to cover his skeletal body, Benudhar has stepped out of his house when no one was around. He sees vast crowds of people gathered at the relief centers in distant villages like Sirei and Bagalapada. Unable to bear the pangs of hunger, hundreds of starving men and women stand in long lines. Their hunger is so intense that the moment they receive a handful of rice, they do not even wait to cook it; instead, amidst the scorching heat of the sun and the burning fire in their stomachs, they stuff the raw rice straight into their mouths.

Second Paragraph: Dreams of the Past and Present Plight

Sitting under the cool breeze of a tree, Benudhar reminisces about his past. Years ago, he had studied under the shade of Bakul and Chhuriana trees. At that time, he was taught that man must awaken himself and then awaken the nation. But today, will those very educated youth ultimately hold out their hands for a handful of alms? This question burns him from within. Why are the children of a race whose history is filled with pride and glory—where the ‘Patitapabana Bana’ (the holy flag) flies with self-respect atop its massive stone structures (temples)—crying out so helplessly and pitifully today, saying “Give, give”? The scene in Sirei village seemed to him like a graveyard, where living human beings have lost their very identity.

Third Paragraph: The Voice of Self-Respect and a Great Man’s Touch

It is true that Benudhar has arrived there because there is not a single grain of broken rice left at home, but his tongue refuses to beg. He has been sitting there fasting since morning. At this moment, a gentle-hearted, generous, and great man approached him. When he placed his hand on Benudhar’s back, that touch pierced through his skin, flesh, and bones, straight to his heart. The affectionate question of that noble man—”Have you taken the rice?”—unsettled Benudhar. Weeping, he replied that he had not come to beg. A great teaching was echoing in his mind: “Since you are born as a human, never hold out your hand to beg.” Saying this much, he collapsed right there out of hunger and overwhelming emotion.

Fourth Paragraph: The Living Self-Respect of the Nation

When Benudhar opened his eyes, he saw that calm and composed great man nursing him. Benudhar realized that even though famine has struck the country, humanity and self-respect are still alive. A nation whose child considers begging a sin even when facing death, and where a great man voluntarily comes forward to serve the poor and distressed, can never perish. Therefore, he exclaimed with pride—”This nation is still alive.” These are not just the words of Benudhar, but a shining example of the unyielding self-respect of the entire Odia race.