गंगा के घाट पर

In this chapter, students of Hindi will acquire the vocabulary, cultural knowledge, and reading skills necessary to understand and discuss religious beliefs and environmental problems related to the Ganges River in Banaras. Devotees believe that the Ganges can wash away a lifetime of sin. Many come to Banaras at the end of their lives, as those cremated in Banaras are said to achieve release from the cycle of rebirth. The Ganges has become heavily polluted and the focus of campaigns by environmentalists. The chapter includes pre-reading questions that ask about the reader’s experiences with environmental issues in their own country. A glossary provides relevant vocabulary for the story that describes two foreign students who travel to Banaras to interview residents about their religious beliefs and efforts to fight pollution. The notes on culture elucidate issues related to religious life in Banaras, and the activities guide students in their comprehension of the story and in applying this knowledge to research a narrative related to the origins of the Ganges and a presentation about an environmental issue.