About the Author of the Chapter
Tishani Doshi is a poet, journalist and dancer from India. She has published some books of poetry and fiction. She has been widely appreciated for her essays, poems and short stories. She has travelled a lot and her most exciting journey was to Antarctica.
Theme
The Journey to the end of the Earth from Vistas book for Class 12 is an enlightening account of the author’s visit to the coolest, windiest and driest continent in the world. Tishani Doshi holds the opinion that in order to understand the Earth’s present, past and future, one must go to Antarctica. The study of this region is useful to us because the world’s geological history is trapped in Antarctica. She accompanied a team of students visiting the continent. She had a thrilling experience of the ice-mysteries of this ice-region.
Journey to the End of the Earth
Six years ago, Geoff Green, a Canadian, started the “Students on Ice” programme. Under this programme, high school students are taken on a trip to Antarctica and offer inspiring educational opportunities. This will encourage them in developing new awareness and respect for our planet. The programme has been a success because students can see the collapsing ice shelves and retreating glaciers with their own eyes. They realize the threat of global warming is real.
Antarctica has a simple ecosystem. It lacks biodiversity. Hence, Antarctica is the perfect place to study how little changes in the environment can have big consequences. The author too got a chance to work in the coldest atmosphere of the Antarctic continent.
The narrator of Journey to the end of the earth heads towards Antarctica aboard ‘Akademik Shokalskiy’, a Russian research vessel with a group of students. She commenced her journey 13.09 degrees north of the Equator in Madras. She crossed none time zones, six checkpoints, three oceans and many ecospheres to reach her destination. After travelling for a hundred hours, she finally reached the Antarctic continent. She felt relieved and wondered about the isolation of the continent and the historic time when India and Antarctica were a part of the same landmass.
The narrator says that six hundred and fifty million years ago, Antarctica was a part of a giant amalgamated Southern supercontinent called Gondwana. There was no existence of humans on the planet at that time. The climate was warm then and there was a huge variety of flora and fauna. The supercontinent of Gondwana existed for 500 million years and then the landmass broke. With the extinction of dinosaurs, the landmass separated into different countries shaping into the globe that we know today. From the continent of Antarctica, we can get an understanding of the evolution of human existence on this planet and where the humans are heading now. It also enlightens about the significance of Cordilleran folds and pre-Cambrian granite shields; ozone and carbon.
The narrator stayed for two weeks in Antarctica, where 90% of the Earth’s total ice volumes are stored. Midges, mites, blue whales and limitless expanse of huge icebergs surrounded her with no existence of human life. The surreal twenty-four-hour summer lights and eerie silence often interrupted by the breaking sound of an iceberg was mind-boggling.
The narrator says that human beings have been on Earth for about 12000 years. In this short span of time, humans have changed the face of the environment for worse. Humans have dominated the Earth by establishing cities and megacities, which have led to the encroachment of Mother Nature. The rapid increase in population has added to more distress. Human beings are battling with each other for limited resources. The average global temperature is rising and the blanket of carbon dioxide around the world is increasing.
The narrator is alarmed by many unanswered questions about climate change like what if West Antarctic ice sheets melt entirely or if the Gulf Stream Ocean current will be disrupted or will the world come to end one day. Antarctica has a crucial role to play in this debate. The Earth’s present and future lie hidden in Antarctica.
The main thing to understand is that small changes in the environment can cause significant impacts. Tiny phytoplankton in the water is food for sea animals and birds in the area. If the ozone layer gets thinner, it will affect these plants. This, in turn, will impact the lives of other beings in the region and even the global carbon cycle. The narrator had an unforgettable experience in Antarctica. At 65.55 degrees South of the Equator, they were asked to descend. Seeing crabeater seals on the outskirts was a breathtaking moment.
Tishani Doshi is overwhelmed with the beauty of balance in play on our planet. She has many questions in mind that are still unanswered but she is optimistic that next-generation children are full of idealism to save the Earth.
A Short Summary of the Chapter - A Journey to the End of the Earth
The story is based on a travelogue written by Tishani Doshi. The story is covered in the Class 12th book of "vistas". Tishani Doshi, the author, makes a tour to Antarctica which contains 90% of the total ice of the earth. She mentions that she travelled 100 hrs in order to reach Antarctica. The moment she got her feet on the landscape, she got a feeling of major relief as the journey was too long.
Six years ago, Geoff Green, a Canadian, started the “Students on Ice” programme. Under this programme, high school students are taken on a trip to Antarctica and offer inspiring educational opportunities. This will encourage them in developing new awareness and respect for our planet. The programme has been a success because students can see the collapsing ice shelves and retreating glaciers with their own eyes. They realize the threat of global warming is real.
Antarctica has a simple ecosystem. It lacks biodiversity. Hence, Antarctica is the perfect place to study how little changes in the environment can have big consequences. The author too got a chance to work in the coldest atmosphere of the Antarctic continent.
The narrator of Journey to the end of the earth heads towards Antarctica aboard ‘Akademik Shokalskiy’, a Russian research vessel with a group of students. She commenced her journey 13.09 degrees north of the Equator in Madras. She crossed none time zones, six checkpoints, three oceans and many ecospheres to reach her destination. After travelling for a hundred hours, she finally reached the Antarctic continent. She felt relieved and wondered about the isolation of the continent and the historic time when India and Antarctica were a part of the same landmass. The narrator says that six hundred and fifty million years ago, Antarctica was a part of a giant amalgamated Southern supercontinent called Gondwana. There was no existence of humans on the planet at that time. The climate was warm then and there was a huge variety of flora and fauna. The supercontinent of Gondwana existed for 500 million years and then the landmass broke. With the extinction of dinosaurs, the landmass separated into different countries shaping into the globe that we know today.
From the continent of Antarctica, we can get an understanding of the evolution of human existence on this planet and where the humans are heading now. It also enlightens about the significance of Cordilleran folds and pre-Cambrian granite shields; ozone and carbon. The narrator stayed for two weeks in Antarctica, where 90% of the Earth’s total ice volumes are stored. Midges, mites, blue whales and a limitless expanse of huge icebergs surrounded her with no existence of human life. The surreal twenty-four-hour summer lights and eerie silence often interrupted by the breaking sound of an iceberg was mind-boggling.
The narrator says that human beings have been on Earth for about 12000 years. In this short span of time, humans have changed the face of the environment for the worse. Humans have dominated the Earth by establishing cities and megacities, which have led to the encroachment of Mother Nature. The rapid increase in population has added to more distress. Human beings are battling with each other for limited resources. The average global temperature is rising and the blanket of carbon dioxide around the world is increasing. The narrator is alarmed by many unanswered questions about climate change like what if West Antarctic ice sheets melt entirely or if the Gulf Stream Ocean current will be disrupted or will the world come to end one day. Antarctica has a crucial role to play in this debate. The Earth’s present and future lie hidden in Antarctica.
The greater lesson to be learnt is that little changes in the environment can have big repercussions. The microscopic phytoplankton is nourishment for marine animals and birds in the region. The depletion in the ozone layer will affect the activities of these grasses. This will also affect the lives of the others in this region and the global carbon cycle. The narrator says that her experience at Antarctica was never-to-be-forgotten. At 65.55 degrees South of Equator, the narrator and the students were told to get down. It was a breathtaking experience to see crabeater seals sitting in the periphery.
Tishani Doshi is overwhelmed with the beauty of balance in play on our planet. She has many questions in mind that are still unanswered but she is optimistic that next-generation children are full of idealism to save the Earth. The story revolves around the fact that biodiversity is hampered and how due to some small mistakes the ozone layer is depleted. The author of the trip was led by Geoff Green. They started the journey in a Russian vehicle. This was an educational trip with the help of this trip they were able to discover the end of the earth. Before humans arrived, Gondwana used to have larger biodiversity including flora and fauna. It used to flourish by that time.
The story gives a broad description of Antarctica's ecosystem. The educational team explores the area, encountering sea animals and birds. They learn about the global carbon cycle and how small actions can lead to significant changes. The memorandum mentions contributors to climate change, such as burning fossil fuels. Antarctica experiences 24 hours of summer light and is quiet. The author reflects on a time when India and Antarctica were connected before dinosaurs went extinct. The story briefly explains ozone depletion and the lack of biodiversity, highlighting potential harm in the travelogue. It concludes with the author peacefully observing seals sunbathing on ice, questioning if the beauty of nature will be preserved or if the future will be catastrophic.
Significance of the Chapter - A Journey to the End of the Earth
The story depicts a huge change in climate with passing years. The place has lost a lot of flora and fauna. Moreover, for over 500 million years, Gondwana flourished. The extinction of the huge living beings, the dinosaurs, Antarctica and India got separated. This story is a brief encounter of everything that would happen and that happened. An overview of how it can affect mankind to a larger extent.
Themes Explored:
Friendship and Loyalty: Tenzing's commitment to fulfilling his promise to Captain Wangmo demonstrates the depth of friendship and loyalty.
Nature's Power: The story vividly portrays the awe-inspiring yet formidable power of nature, reflecting the resilience of the human spirit against its challenges.
Cultural Exploration: Through Tenzing's interactions with the locals, the narrative offers a glimpse into the rich cultural tapestry of Ladakh, emphasizing the importance of cultural understanding.
Self-Discovery: Tenzing's journey becomes a metaphor for self-discovery, as he learns more about himself and the world around him.
Conclusion
"Journey to the End of the Earth" is a poignant and evocative tale that transcends the physical boundaries of Antarctica to explore the depths of human emotion and connection. Tishani Doshi's narrative weaves together themes of exploration, self-discovery, and familial bonds, creating a story that resonates with readers on a profound level. Through the lens of this Antarctic adventure, the narrative encourages reflection on the complexities of relationships and the enduring spirit of human exploration.
FAQs on Journey To the End of The Earth Summary
1. What is the Significance of the Title ‘Journey to the End of The Earth’?
The title assumes significance as the author travels to Antarctica, which is the southernmost part of Earth and almost appears at the end of it. This chapter is a memoir of the author’s journey to Antarctica with high school students on board a Russian Vessel. The two poles North and South virtually signify two ends of the planet Earth. The journey takes the author across nine time zones, three water bodies, three ecosystems and six checkpoints, which implies that almost the whole of the planet has been travelled before one reaches to the end of it. As Antarctica is at one end of the planet, it is without human existence, there is no biodiversity, no sign of billboards or trees. It is a place far far away from the crowd noise and pollution. Thus, ‘Journey to the End of the Earth’ is an apt title.
2. How are Men Responsible for Creating a Negative Impact on Earth in a Short span of 12 Thousand Years?
In a short span of human history, man has managed to destroy nature and create villages, towns, cities and megacities. Rapid human population growth and limited resources exert pressure on land. Burning of fossil fuels has only helped in increasing the average global temperature. Melting of ice-caps, depletion of ozone layers and global warming are the real and immediate dangers for making but they have been created by mankind only.
3. What are Phytoplanktons? How are they Important for the Earth’s Survival?
Phytoplankton is a single-celled plant of the sea. These grasses of the sea feed the entire marine life of the Southern Ocean. These microorganisms require a low degree of temperature for their survival. Their existence is threatened due to the overheating and depletion of ozone layers. This chapter sends a message to the readers that humans need to take care of small things so that bigger issues will fall in place.
4. What was the Objective of the “Students on Ice Programme”?
The objective of this programme was to offer the future generation of policymakers a life-changing experience at an early age. At this age, the students were willing to learn and absorb the information and most importantly act towards it. Mr Geoff Green provided high school students with an opportunity to understand and develop a respect for our planet.
5. Why does the author say that a lot can happen in a million years but what a difference a day can make?
By the following lines, the author implies that a lot of changes have been established in the past millions of years and a lot of changes are going to come with the coming millions of years. But in this long period of time, a small step of change per day can lead to a huge difference in the near future because the global climate is changing and depleting. The change can be good or bad. The situation will work accordingly. The changes will come over according to the situation.
6. What does the author mean by a journey to the end of the earth?
Journey to the end of the Earth is a travelogue. Along with other students, the author visited Antarctica. The author learnt that this is the only place in the world where the human population is never sustained. Except for the scientists, no human life exists on it., making it the "end of the earth". Moreover, for over half a million years the landmass holds the old carbon records embedded in its layer.
7. What was the first emotion of the narrator on facing Antarctica?
The landmarks of Antarctica were beautiful. The dazzling white and vast landscape holds the eyes. After such a long journey, the author was so relieved and pleased to set her foot on a landscape and a wonderful continent bestowed with beauty, named Antarctica. The sense of amazement was wonderful and the feeling of getting knowledge about the wondrous place was priceless.
8. Why is Antarctica a restricted place?
Antarctica is treated as a reserve. Moreover, it is considered a privilege and as well as a responsibility to its visitors to travel this wonderful landscape which is embedded with the most wondrous things present on earth. The Antarctic treaty protocol on environment protection has set some rules that every visitor has to follow as the continent is a natural reserve. It is considered as a jewel to the Earth that is still present and hence a restricted place and needs the permission of higher authorities to travel and overview it.
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