Chapter 10 — Glass Bangles

Chapter 10 of the Class 5 English NCERT textbook (Santoor), "Glass Bangles," follows Ravi, a skilled glass artisan from Firozabad in Uttar Pradesh, and his daughter Ananya, whose blend of traditional and modern bangle designs becomes a Diwali success — download the PDF to read the full story and explore the chapter's exercises on past perfect tense, word association, and Indian craft traditions.

• The Glass Bangle Craft of Firozabad — Firozabad in Uttar Pradesh is described as a district with a rich tradition of glassware, particularly glass bangles. Ravi and his family have crafted bangles for generations, heating glass in a furnace, shaping it carefully, adding colours and designs, and cooling it to perfection.
• Blending Tradition with Modern Design — Ravi's daughter Ananya introduces delicate floral patterns and geometric shapes into the existing traditional bangle designs. Though Ravi is initially hesitant, he soon accepts her ideas and they create a special Diwali collection that combines old and new elements.
• Diwali and Seasonal Demand — The chapter shows how festivals drive craft industries: during Diwali, demand for glass bangles rises sharply and Ravi's workshop runs around the clock. The vibrant bangles sparkle under festival lamps and lights, linking the craft directly to cultural celebration.
• Impact on the Wider Community — The success of the new bangle collection benefits more than just Ravi and Ananya — it creates additional work for local artisans and also generates jobs in packing and transportation, illustrating how a single craft can support an entire community.
• Language Skills: Past Perfect Tense — The chapter introduces the past perfect tense, using sentences like 'Ananya had completed her schooling before she joined the factory' to show how one completed past action precedes another. Students practise identifying the first and second actions in given sentences.

1. 01Firozabad in Uttar Pradesh is the setting, known across India for its glass bangle industry.
2. 02Glass bangles are made by heating glass in a furnace, shaping it, adding colours and designs, then cooling it carefully.
3. 03Ananya, Ravi's daughter, introduces floral patterns and geometric shapes that blend traditional and modern styles.
4. 04The father-daughter duo creates a special Diwali collection that proves to be a big commercial and artistic success.
5. 05During Diwali, demand for bangles increases so much that artisans work around the clock to meet orders.
6. 06The success of the new collection generates extra jobs for local artisans, packers, and transport workers.
7. 07The chapter teaches the past perfect tense and includes exercises on word association, punctuation, and Indian craft geography.