'Running Water' by Rohinton Mistry Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. India-born Canadian writer Rohinton Mistry is a prominent short story writer of the present generation. His stories are not only interesting but also informative. Now, the question is: What is the main theme of the story "Running Water"?

Answer: Misery and hardship of the Indian people living in the countryside of the Himalayan region

'Running Water' is a very interesting story. It encompasses various historical, geographical, religious, socio-economic and socio-cultural issues of India besides an interesting experience of the author's personal life. Though there was a flood-like situation outside because of heavy showers, yet he had to purchase a few buckets of water at a high cost.

2. Rohinton Mistry is a well known award winning Commonwealth writer of the present generation. Now, the question is: Which award had he not received as of 2010?

Answer: Nobel Prize for literature

Rohinton Mistry(1952- )was born in a Parsi family in Bombay. He is a distinguished new generation writer in English from Indian origin. Mistry holds a distinctive position among the commonwealth writers by virtue of his vivid narration, Indo-nostalgic feel and a clear thought. Mistry migrated to Canada and settled in Toronto with his family in 1975.

At that time there was a State of Emergency in India. His very first story 'One Sunday'(1983), won a prize for him. He has bagged a number of prestigious international awards till date.

3. In 'RunningWater', Mistry encompasses various historical, geographical, religious, socio-economic and socio-cultural aspects of India besides narration of an interesting experience from his personal life. Now, your question is: What did he not narrate in the story?

Answer: His romance in Dharamsala

The first general store that was opened in Dharamsala was 'Nowrojee & Sons' by the Nowrojee family in 1860. This store has been run by five generations of the Nowrojee family. Mistry's uncle Mr. Nowrojee was running it when the author paid a visit to Dharamsala.

4. Rohinton Mistry's literary career began with the publication of his award winning short story 'One Sunday' in 1983. His collected edition of eleven short stories titled 'Tales from Firoza Baag' was published in 1987. Now, the question is: In which year was 'Running Waters' published?

Answer: 1991

Rohinton Mistry's literary career began with the publication of his award winning short story 'One Sunday' in 1983. Presently he is the proud author of three brilliant novels ('Such a Long Journey' (1991); 'A Fine Balance'(1996); 'Family Matters'(2002)) and a collection of eleven short stories titled 'Tales from Firoza Baag' published in 1987.

Although his recognition rests mainly in his brilliant novels, yet his short stories are his real forte. 'Running Water' was published in 1991.

5. During his visit to Dharamsala, R. Mistry stayed in a reputed hotel of the town. This time your question is: What is the name of that hotel?

Answer: Bhagsu

Dharamsala is a hill-station in northern India. The natural beauty and historical importance of the place attract a huge number of tourists all through the year. Naturally, there are a number of beautiful hotels in the locality. 'Bhagsu' is one of them. The author stayed there while he was on a tour to his uncle and aunt.

6. The author's uncle narrated many stories about Dharamsala. One of those stories was that the British considered Dharamsala as the summer capital of British-India before establishing it in Simla. The plan, whatsoever, was abandoned because of a tragic incident. Now, your question is: What was the tragic incident?

Answer: The official in charge of selecting the capital died of dysentery.

The Himalayan region of India was very unhygienic, and dysentery was very common and deadly. The British official who was in charge of surveying the prospect of Dharamsala as the Summer capital of the British-India caught dysentery and died on his way back to Dharamsala.

The proposal for making Dharamsala the Summer Capital of India was, as such, promptly abandoned. Simla, another hill station a bit south to Dharamsala, was made the Summer Capital ultimately.

7. During his visit to Dharamsala, the author Rohinton Mistry stayed in 'Bhagsu'. 'Bhagsu' is a significant term in the local language. Now, the question you have to answer is: What is the meaning of 'Bhagsu' in English?

Answer: Running Water

Dharamsala is a hill-station in the Himalayan region of northern India. It is as beautiful as Simla, the summer capital of British-India. Bhagsu is the name of the most prestigious hotel of Dharamsala. The meaning of 'Bhagsu' in English is 'Running Water'.

8. Critics say that the title of the story "Running Water" is ironical. If you go through the story, it will appear to you that this position is fully justified. Now, the question is: Where does the 'irony' of the title exactly lie?

Answer: There was acute scarcity of drinking water in Dharamsala amidst a flood-like situation.

In Mistry's short story 'Running Water', we are told about the paradoxes of Indian society under the backdrop of a panoramic natural beauty. The story is presented in such a vivid manner that the reader feels as if everything is happening in front of him.

The title of the story is 'Running Water', the author stayed in a hotel named 'Bhagsu' meaning 'Running Water' There was heavy showers during his stay in the hotel which caused a flood-like situation outside. But the author had to purchase water for his personal use at a very high cost.

His situation was very similar to that of the Ancient Mariner in Coleridge's poem ' Rime of the Ancient Mariner' [Water, water, every where, Nor any drop to drink]. [Water, Water, everywhere / Not a single drop to drink.] Here lies the irony of the title of the story.

9. The author mentioned the name of Dalai Lama and his new cottage Temple in Namgyal. He gave a vivid description of the temple, the monks and the statue of Lord Buddha. Your question, this time, is: To which religious sect is the Dalai Lama a Spiritual leader?

Answer: Tibetan Buddhists

Mistry's uncle had great admiration and reverence for Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of the Tibetans. In 1959 he helped the Tibetan monks to rebuild their new Temple at a mountain spur called Namgyal.

10. Mistry narrated a real incident related to the famous T.V serial 'Ramayana' on the great Indian epic 'Ramayana' in this story. The Government of India had to sanction a special permission for the telecast of a number of additional episodes in order to satisfy the disgruntled people. Now,the question is: How many additional episodes of the TV serial "Ramayana" were permitted to be telecast by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, on public demand?

Answer: 26

Here, Rohinton Mistry narrated a real incident related to the famous T.V serial 'Ramayana' on the great epic 'Ramayana'. The serial was very popular among the people. People used to burn incense sticks and watched the serial as if they were watching real Rama and his heroic activities.

Initially the ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Govt. of India, sanctioned 78 episodes to complete the serial. But after 78 episodes, the people found the story incomplete and became very angry. All sections of people demanded to complete it. Even the sweepers stopped working which caused a serious problem to the civil administration.

There was hot debate in the parliament on the issue. Ultimately, the Govt. had to bow down before the public-pressure and sanction a permission for the telecast of 26 additional episodes.

The incident was historic and a pointer to the religious sentiment of the Indian people in general.

Source: Author indranil49

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor looney_tunes before going online.
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Rohinton Mistry (1952- )is a new generation Canadian writer from Indian origin. 'Running Water' is a beautiful story. Here various socio-cultural aspects of the mountain hamlets of the Himalayan region in India are narrated along with an anecdote.

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