Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow. Santiniketan embodies Rabindranath Tagore’s vision of a place of learning that is unfettered by religious and regional barriers. Established in 1863 with the aim of helping education go beyond the confines of the classroom, Santiniketan grew into the Visva Bharati University in 1921, attracting some of the most creative minds in the country. He developed a curriculum that was a unique blend of art, human values and cultural interchange. Even today, in every step, in every brick and in every tree at Santiniketan, one can still feel his presence, his passion, his dedication and his pride in the institution. In 1862, Maharishi Debendranath Tagore, father of Rabindranath, was taking a boat ride through Birbhum, the westernmost corner of Bengal, when he came across a landscape that struck him as the perfect place for meditation. He bought the large tract of land and built a small house and planted some saplings around it. Debendranath Tagore decided to call the place Santiniketan, or the ‘abode of peace’, because of the serenity it brought to his soul. In 1863, he turned it into a spiritual centre where people from all religions, castes and creeds came and participated in meditation. In the years that followed, Debendranath’s son Rabindranath went on to become one of the most formidable literary forces India has ever produced. He wrote in all literary genres but he was first and foremost a poet. As one of the earliest educators to think in terms of the global village, he envisioned an education that was deeply rooted in one’s immediate surroundings but connected to the cultures of the wider world. Located in the heart of nature, the school aimed to combine education with a sense of obligation towards the larger civic community. Blending the best of western and traditional eastern systems of education, the curriculum revolved organically around nature with classes being held in the open air. Tagore wanted his students to feel free despite being in the formal learning environment of a school because he himself had dropped out of school when he found himself unable to think and felt claustrophobic within the four walls of a classroom. Nature walks and excursions were a part of the curriculum, special attention was paid to natural phenomena and students were encouraged to follow the life cycles of insects, birds and plants. The rural paradise of Santiniketan, Tagore’s erstwhile home, has become a thriving centre of art, education and internationalism over the years.
The word ‘unfettered’ in the text suggests:
free from barriers
Understanding the Meaning of 'Unfettered' in the Santiniketan Passage
The question asks for the meaning of the word ‘unfettered’ as it is used in the provided passage about Santiniketan and Rabindranath Tagore.
To answer this, we need to look at the sentence where the word ‘unfettered’ appears and understand its context. The passage states: "Santiniketan embodies Rabindranath Tagore’s vision of a place of learning that is unfettered by religious and regional barriers."
The word ‘unfettered’ is followed by the phrase "by religious and regional barriers". This suggests that ‘unfettered’ describes the relationship of the place of learning (Santiniketan) with these barriers.
Let's analyze the given options:
- Option 1: bound by religious beliefs
The phrase "unfettered by religious and regional barriers" implies the opposite of being bound or restricted by such barriers. So, this option is incorrect. - Option 2: free from barriers
If something is ‘unfettered’ by barriers, it means it is not restricted or limited by them. Being ‘free from barriers’ aligns perfectly with this meaning in the context of religious and regional restrictions. - Option 3: outside the classroom
The passage does mention education going "beyond the confines of the classroom", but the word ‘unfettered’ is used specifically in relation to "religious and regional barriers", not classroom confines. So, this option is incorrect in this specific context. - Option 4: restricted by regional differences
Similar to Option 1, ‘unfettered’ by regional barriers means not restricted by them. This option suggests restriction, which is the opposite. So, this option is incorrect.
Based on the context in the passage, ‘unfettered’ by religious and regional barriers means not limited or restricted by these factors. Therefore, the word suggests being free from these barriers.
Analyzing the Meaning of 'Unfettered'
The word 'fetter' means a chain or shackle used to restrain a prisoner, typically around the ankles. To 'fetter' something means to restrain or confine it. 'Unfettered' is the opposite; it means released from restraints, not restricted, or free.
In the context of Santiniketan as a place of learning, being 'unfettered by religious and regional barriers' means that the institution and its educational approach were not limited or constrained by religious or regional differences. It aimed to be inclusive and open, transcending these divisions.
Contextual Use in the Passage
The passage highlights Rabindranath Tagore's vision for Santiniketan as a universal place of learning. The phrase "unfettered by religious and regional barriers" emphasizes this universalist ideal, where education is accessible and inclusive, regardless of a person's religious background or region of origin.
Comparing this understanding with the options, 'free from barriers' is the meaning that best fits the use of 'unfettered' in the sentence "Santiniketan embodies Rabindranath Tagore’s vision of a place of learning that is unfettered by religious and regional barriers."
The final answer is the option that means 'free from barriers'.
Step-by-Step Conclusion
- Identify the word ‘unfettered’ in the passage.
- Read the sentence containing ‘unfettered’ carefully to understand its context: "unfettered by religious and regional barriers."
- Understand the general meaning of ‘unfettered’ (not restricted, free).
- Apply the general meaning to the specific context (not restricted by religious and regional barriers).
- Evaluate each option to see which one matches the contextual meaning.
- Option 2, "free from barriers," accurately reflects the meaning of ‘unfettered’ when used in relation to religious and regional barriers.
Therefore, the word ‘unfettered’ in the text suggests being free from barriers.
| Option | Analysis | Correctness |
|---|---|---|
| 1. bound by religious beliefs | Opposite of unfettered by barriers. | Incorrect |
| 2. free from barriers | Matches the meaning of unfettered by religious and regional barriers. | Correct |
| 3. outside the classroom | Not the context for the word unfettered in the sentence. | Incorrect |
| 4. restricted by regional differences | Opposite of unfettered by barriers. | Incorrect |
Revision Table: Key Concepts
| Term | Meaning in Passage Context | Related Concept |
|---|---|---|
| Unfettered | Not restricted or limited | Freedom, Inclusivity |
| Religious barriers | Restrictions based on religion | Secularism, Universalism |
| Regional barriers | Restrictions based on geographical origin | National Integration, Globalism |
| Santiniketan vision | A place of learning without restrictions of religion and region | Tagore's educational philosophy |
Additional Information: Rabindranath Tagore's Educational Philosophy
Rabindranath Tagore was a visionary educator who believed that education should be holistic and deeply connected to nature and the world. His philosophy, reflected in Santiniketan (Visva Bharati University), emphasized several key aspects:
- Education in Nature: He believed that learning should happen in the open air, connected to the environment, rather than confined to classrooms.
- Holistic Development: The curriculum blended academic learning with arts, music, dance, and crafts, aiming for the overall development of the student.
- Cultural Exchange: Tagore envisioned Santiniketan as a hub for cultural interchange between India and the world, promoting internationalism.
- Freedom and Creativity: He advocated for an atmosphere of freedom that encourages creativity and independent thinking, contrasting with rigid, formal schooling he disliked as a child.
- Universalism: His vision was for a place of learning 'unfettered by religious and regional barriers,' welcoming people from all backgrounds and fostering a sense of global citizenship.
This philosophy is integral to understanding why the concept of being ‘unfettered’ was central to the foundation and vision of Santiniketan.
Important Questions from Reading Comprehension
Why, according to the writer can't people be motivated to use a resource prudently?
1. They feel that others may overuse the resource
2. It is possible to substitute the resource
3. Abundance of the resource availability
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
When do people use resources exhaustively?
The self-interest of people affects the use of renewable resources
People rooted in a locality
Which among the following is closest in meaning with the word 'deplete'?
