The Treasure Within

Question 1:

What did Hafeez Contractor have nightmares about?

Answer:

Hafeez Contractor frequently experienced recurring dreams about taking a mathematics exam in which he knew nothing.

Question 2:

What did the principal say to him, which influenced him deeply?

Answer:

Hafeez was informed by the principal that despite his father not being around, his mother used to work very hard to raise him and always paid his tuition on time. Also, he added that Hafeez was an excellent student. If he put any effort into his studies, he may get high scores. The young child was inspired by him to rise to the situation, work hard in school, and temporarily give up his athletic pursuits.

 Question 3:

“… that year I did not step out onto the field.” What was he busy doing that year?

Answer:

Hafeez was an avid player who spent several years as the senior champion at his school. He also had a passion for playing sports, particularly cricket. But, when his principal encouraged him to focus on his SSC studies, he decided to give up playing, and that year, he didn't take the field. All he did was eat and study for the tests; he only went to church for prayers.

Question 4:

 What “distraction” did Hafeez Contractor create one day?

Answer:

Hafeez was an enthusiastic player who spent many years as the senior champion at his school. He also always enjoyed playing games, especially cricket. He gave up sports, though, and that year he didn't take the field since his principal persuaded him to focus only on his SSC preparation. All he did was eat and study for the tests, and he only went to church for prayers.

Question 5:

 Would you have liked to participate in the “distraction” had you been with him?

Answer:

Certainly, I would have enjoyed taking part in such a "distraction" as it would have provided a change of pace from my usual workday.

Question 6:

Hafeez Contractor wanted to join the police force. Why didn’t he?

Answer:

When Hafeez Contractor expressed interest in joining the police, his mother rejected the idea. She instructed him to finish his graduation first, though. He soon enrolled at Bombay's Jai hind College.

Question 7:

In the architect’s office, Hafeez Contractor was advised to drop everything and join architecture. Why?

Answer:

Hafeez Contractor observed someone drafting a window detail, an intricate type of design, in the architect's office. He informed them that the picture was inaccurate and that the window would not open in the manner depicted. At first, he protested, but he quickly saw that his drawing was in fact incorrect. This startled Hafeez's cousin's spouse, who requested him to sketch a few specific items, including a home plan, to which he obliged. Hafeez's relative was impressed and urged him to use his inherent skill and encourage Hafeez to study architecture as soon as possible.

Question 8:

What was Mrs Gupta’s advice to Hafeez Contractor?

Answer:

When one of Hafeez's teachers, Mrs. Gupta, noticed his wonderful sketches in class in the second or third grade, she suggested that he pursue being an architect as a career.

Question 9: 

What made her advise him so?

Answer:

She would frequently tell him that his only redeeming qualities were the stunning sketches he produced. She believed that he should develop his innate skill and grow up to be an architect as a result.

Question 10:

How did he help fellow students who had lost a button?

Answer:

He frequently received calls from other kids who had lost a button while playing or fighting, and he would assist them by making a button out of chalk with an average blade.

Question 11:

Which rules did he break as a schoolboy?

Answer:

While pursuing his education, Hafeez breached several regulations. In the past, he would wander around aimlessly, copy during exams, and make fun of people. Also, he would devise plans and participate in gang battles. Playing chor police games at school during study hours was a common way for him to obstruct his concentration.

Question 12:

 What is Hafeez Contractor’s definition of mathematics?

Answer:

Hafeez Contractor claims that mathematics is a combination of design, building, psychology, and sociology. By merging all these components, he creates a drawing.

Question 13:

How would you want to define mathematics? Do you like the subject?

Answer:

I would characterise mathematics as an engaging topic for people who take pleasure in working through mathematical computations and difficulties. Yet for individuals who don't appreciate working with numbers and computations, it ends up being a nightmare.

Question 14:

It is likely that someone who is original and intelligent does not do very well at school. Should such a learner be called a failure? If not, why not?

Answer:

A student who is creative and intellectual yet performs poorly in school cannot be characterised as a failure in life. This is due to the fact that each student has unique skills and shortcomings. We learn from this dialogue between Ms. Bela Raja and Mr. Hafeez Contractor that academic excellence alone does not guarantee success in life. To stand out in a crowd, people should work to develop and refine their innate skill.

We saw that while Hafeez wasn't particularly academically gifted, he had a secret ability for drawing beautiful designs of various objects, including forts, homes, and other structures. It is clear that a person's potential, meanwhile, is not always reflected in their academic performance. So, rather than writing them off as complete failures, such people should be encouraged to demonstrate their latent skill and be rewarded for it.

Question 15:

Who, in your view, is an ‘unusual’ learner?

Answer:

One who is a genius in their own right, in my opinion, is a unique learner. This suggests that someone with a hidden gift or skill, even if they are bright and educated, needs to polish it from all directions.

Question 16:

What can schools do to draw out the best in unusual learners? Suggest whatever seems reasonable to you.

Answer:

Stop comparing or classifying every child based only on their academic achievement is one of the best ways for schools to bring out the best in unconventional learners. They should cease using mechanical teaching techniques to gauge student progress. They must to recognise the learners' innate qualities and motivate them to hone their skills in all areas.

Question 17:
What does the title of the lesson ‘The Treasure Within’ mean and highlight?

Answer:

The phrase "The Treasure Inside" alludes to each child's undiscovered gift, since everyone has his unique learning preferences and areas of interest. Not every student who excels in school goes on to succeed in life. Every kid can excel in what they are passionate about.

Question 18:
Who is Hafeez Contractor? What does he say about himself to his interviewer? How does he find his calling?

Answer:

Currently, India's top architect is Hafeez Contractor. He recounts the events of his youth and his time in school in this interview. He didn't care much about academic pursuits. He copied his way through the yearly exams and passed. He formerly excelled in athletics. Yet the spouse of his cousin once discovered a secret skill and advised him to train as an architect.

Question 19:
Mr Hafeez at school was more interested in other things than his books. How does he support this statement?

Answer:

He used to like playing games and cracking jokes in school. The captain of the cricket team was an excellent sportsman. When exams were coming up, he used to copy in class. Maths was a terror for him. He fared poorly in school, but he was talented at design. This talent aided.

Question 20:
How does Hafeez give to his client the kind of structure he wants?

Answer:

Hafeez excels at sketching out a house plan on the spot. To determine the client's preferences, he looks at his face and the way he speaks. After that, he immediately sketches a drawing and presents it to his customer at the office.

Question 21:
Do you agree with Hafeez that learning disabilities do not go hand in hand with gifted?

Answer:

There is a widespread perception that geniuses typically do not excel in academics. People that consistently place first or second afterwards have relatively routine professions. Boys' professions are ultimately determined by their personalities and skills.

Question 22:
How did the. Principal’s words influence Hafeez Contractor?

Answer:

The principal had common sense. He has been seeing Hafeez since the beginning. He considered it his obligation to keep watch on him when necessary. Hafeez phoned him and said that while he was an excellent student, he never studied as his eleventh grade drew near. He had lost his father, and his destitute mother had struggled to raise him and cover his tuition. It was the moment to study, to rise to the occasion. Hafeez was significantly impacted by the principal’s statements. That year, he didn't play any games and instead studied nonstop. He received a second class and 50% in his SSC as a consequence. His principal was overjoyed that he had achieved 50% on his own.