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Earth is Our Home

NCERT Class 5 · EVS Based on NCERT Class 5 EVS textbook · Free CBSE study kit

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Chapter Notes

Overview
This chapter explores the idea that Earth is our shared home, where no borders exist from space, and all people, animals, plants, and ideas are deeply connected. It is included in the syllabus to help students understand that nature has no boundaries and that sharing across cultures—through food, practices, and living things—makes the world one family. The one big idea a student must walk away with is that we are all part of a single, interconnected web of life, and caring for the Earth means caring for each other.
Key Concepts (18)
Blue Planet
The Earth is called the Blue Planet because from space, it appears mostly blue due to the vast oceans covering its surface.
e.g. When astronauts look at Earth from space, they see large blue areas of water and brown-green land masses, but no borders.
No borders from space
From outer space, no political boundaries like country borders or state lines are visible; the Earth appears as one whole unit.
e.g. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla said that from space, no border, state, or country is visible—only one Earth.
Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam
An ancient Indian saying meaning 'the world is one family,' teaching that all people, animals, trees, rivers, air, and sky belong to one family and must live with respect and care.
e.g. Just like members of a family share everything, we share the Earth with all living beings and must protect it together.
DIGIPIN
A digital version of an address that gives every small place in India its own special 10-character digital code, helping delivery services find locations faster.
e.g. Instead of writing a long address, a DIGIPIN code can help a postman or ambulance reach your home easily even in a village.
Rosy Starling
A pink and black bird that migrates thousands of kilometres from southern Russia, Mongolia, and nearby countries to India every winter to enjoy warm weather and feed on locusts and grasshoppers.
e.g. In winter, you might see flocks of rosy starlings in Indian fields, helping farmers by eating pests.
International Day of Yoga
Declared by the United Nations in 2014, celebrated on 21 June every year, when millions around the world practise yoga together.
e.g. On 21 June, schools and communities in India and abroad hold yoga sessions to promote health and peace.
Migration
The seasonal movement of animals or birds from one region to another, often for food, warmth, or breeding.
e.g. Rosy starlings migrate from cold Russia to warm India every winter.
Web of Life
The idea that all living things—people, animals, plants—and non-living things like air and water are connected and depend on each other.
e.g. Birds eat insects, insects pollinate flowers, and flowers give us fruits—everything is linked in a web.
Ayurveda
One of the oldest forms of medicine, developed in India over 3,000 years ago, using natural herbs and practices for health.
e.g. Grandparents often use Ayurvedic remedies like turmeric milk for colds or tulsi leaves for coughs.
Zero
The concept of 'nothing' first written down in India, which helped people around the world do mathematics better.
e.g. Without zero, we could not write numbers like 10, 100, or 1000 easily.
Fishing Cat
A cat found in India's wetlands with partially webbed paws, making it an excellent swimmer that dives for fish.
e.g. In the Sundarbans, fishing cats are often seen near rivers catching fish.
Indigo
A deep blue dye from India that coloured clothes in Africa and Europe, once used only by royals because it was so special.
e.g. Traditional Indian blue pottery and some old fabrics still use indigo dye.
Gir, Kankrej, Ongole
Three Indian cow breeds taken to Brazil by Portuguese traders; they are strong, give good milk, and today produce more than three-fourths of Brazil's milk.
e.g. These cows are so important in Brazil that their pictures appear on stamps and coins.
Marigold
A flower originally from Mexico, now widely used in India for festivals like Diwali, weddings, and temple decorations because of its bright orange and yellow colours.
e.g. During Diwali, marigold garlands are hung at doors and used to decorate homes.
Chilli
A spice originally from South America, brought to India by Portuguese travellers 400–500 years ago; now an essential part of Indian cooking.
e.g. Before chillies arrived, Indians used black pepper to add spiciness to food.
Sugar
A sweet substance first made in India from sugarcane juice; the method of making jaggery and then sugar spread to the world through trade and travel.
e.g. Many sweets like gulab jamun and kheer use sugar, which originally came from India.
Yoga
An ancient Indian practice over 3,000 years old that keeps the body healthy and the mind peaceful, now practised in almost every country.
e.g. Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation) is a common yoga sequence done in schools and parks worldwide.
Nature has no boundaries
The idea that natural elements like air, water, clouds, seeds, and animals move freely across the world without being stopped by human-made borders.
e.g. Monsoon clouds from the Indian Ocean bring rain to India without needing a passport.
How It Works
Migration of Rosy Starlings
  1. Rosy starlings live in southern Russia, Mongolia, and nearby countries during summer.
  2. When winter arrives, they fly thousands of kilometres south to India.
  3. In India, they enjoy warm weather and feed on locusts and grasshoppers.
  4. They help farmers by eating pests on crops.
  5. In spring, they fly back to their home countries.
💡 Students often forget that migration happens every year, not just once, and that the birds return to their original home.
Spread of Yoga from India to the World
  1. Yoga was practised in India for over 3,000 years to keep the body healthy and mind peaceful.
  2. Travellers, scholars, and teachers from India shared yoga with other countries.
  3. People in other countries learned and began practising yoga.
  4. In 2014, the United Nations declared 21 June as the International Day of Yoga.
  5. Today, millions of people around the world practise yoga together.
💡 Students often think yoga spread recently, but it has been shared over centuries through travel and teaching.
Journey of Chilli from South America to India
  1. Chilli plants originally grew only in South America.
  2. About 400–500 years ago, Portuguese travellers brought chillies from South America to India.
  3. Chillies adapted to Indian soil and climate.
  4. Indians loved chillies and started using them in cooking.
  5. Today, chillies are essential in Indian food, replacing black pepper as the main spice.
💡 Students often confuse the direction—chillies came to India, not from India.
Spread of Sugar from India to the World
  1. In ancient India, people discovered how to make jaggery from sugarcane juice.
  2. Over time, they developed a method to make sugar from jaggery.
  3. This knowledge and technique spread to other parts of the world through trade and travel.
  4. Today, sugar is used globally in food and drinks.
💡 Students sometimes think sugar always existed everywhere, but it was first made in India.
Movement of Indian Cows to Brazil
  1. Portuguese traders took Indian cows (Gir, Kankrej, Ongole) to Brazil long ago.
  2. These cows were strong, gave good milk, and adapted to Brazil's weather.
  3. Over time, their numbers grew in Brazil.
  4. Today, more than three-fourths of Brazil's milk comes from these three Indian breeds.
  5. These cows are so valued that their pictures appear on Brazilian stamps and coins.
💡 Students often forget the specific breed names—Gir, Kankrej, and Ongole—which are exam favourites.
Travel of Marigold from Mexico to India
  1. Marigold flowers originally came from Mexico, where they were used in festivals.
  2. The flower travelled across the world and reached India.
  3. Indians loved the bright orange and yellow colours, which reminded them of warmth, celebration, and spirituality.
  4. Today, marigolds are used in temples, homes, weddings, and festivals like Diwali.
💡 Students often think marigold is native to India, but it came from Mexico.
Exam Traps — Don't Make These Mistakes
⚠ Confusing the direction of chilli travel
✗ Chillies were taken from India to South America by Portuguese traders.
→ The chapter clearly states that chillies were brought from South America to India, not the other way around.
✓ Chillies were brought from South America to India by Portuguese travellers about 400–500 years ago.
⚠ Thinking yoga originated recently
✗ Yoga started in the 20th century and became popular after the UN declared International Day of Yoga.
→ Yoga has been practised in India for over 3,000 years, long before the UN declaration in 2014.
✓ Yoga has been practised in India for more than 3,000 years and was shared with the world by travellers and teachers.
⚠ Forgetting that sugar came from India
✗ Sugar was first made in China or Arabia and then brought to India.
→ The chapter states that the method of making jaggery and sugar from sugarcane was first discovered in India.
✓ The method of making jaggery and sugar from sugarcane juice was first discovered in India and then spread to the world.
⚠ Assuming marigold is native to India
✗ Marigold is a traditional Indian flower that has always been used in festivals.
→ Marigold originally came from Mexico and was brought to India later.
✓ Marigold is originally from Mexico and was brought to India, where it became popular in festivals and temples.
⚠ Mixing up the cow breeds
✗ Indian cows like Holstein and Jersey were taken to Brazil.
→ The chapter specifically names Gir, Kankrej, and Ongole as the Indian breeds taken to Brazil.
✓ The Indian cow breeds taken to Brazil were Gir, Kankrej, and Ongole.
⚠ Thinking borders are visible from space
✗ From space, you can see the borders of India clearly.
→ The chapter says no borders are visible from space; the Earth looks completely one.
✓ From space, no borders, states, or countries are visible; the Earth appears as one whole.
Compare & Contrast
Direction of travel
Chilli
Sugar
Chilli came to India from South America, while sugar travelled from India to the rest of the world.
Type of movement
Rosy Starling
Indian Cows in Brazil
Rosy starlings migrate seasonally every year from Russia/Mongolia to India, while Indian cows were taken once by traders to Brazil and have stayed there permanently.
Exam Focus
Marks pattern: 2 MCQs (1 mark each), 1 Very Short Answer (1 mark), 1 Short Answer (3 marks), 1 Long Answer (5 marks)
Most asked: Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam meaning and significance · No borders from space (Shubhanshu Shukla's quote) · Yoga as India's gift to the world and International Day of Yoga · Journey of chilli from South America to India · Migration of rosy starlings · Indian cow breeds in Brazil (Gir, Kankrej, Ongole) · Marigold from Mexico to India · Sugar from India to the world
Don't skip: Explain the meaning of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' with examples (5 marks); Describe how yoga spread from India to the world and why it became popular (3 marks); Write about any two things that came to India from other countries and any two that went from India to the world (5 marks)
One-Line Revision (read aloud before the exam)
  1. From space, no borders are visible on Earth; it looks like one blue planet.
  2. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla said Earth looks completely one with no borders.
  3. Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma said India looks 'Saare Jahaan Se Achcha' from space.
  4. Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam means 'the world is one family.'
  5. Yoga has been practised in India for over 3,000 years.
  6. The United Nations declared 21 June as the International Day of Yoga in 2014.
  7. Rosy starlings migrate from Russia and Mongolia to India every winter.
  8. Chillies were brought to India from South America by Portuguese traders 400–500 years ago.
  9. Sugar was first made in India from sugarcane juice and then spread to the world.
  10. Marigold flowers originally came from Mexico and are now used in Indian festivals.
  11. Three Indian cow breeds—Gir, Kankrej, and Ongole—produce more than three-fourths of Brazil's milk.
  12. Nature has no boundaries; air, water, clouds, seeds, and animals move freely across the world.
  13. Ayurveda, zero, chess, and snakes and ladders originated in India.
  14. Indigo dye from India was once used only by royals in Africa and Europe.
  15. DIGIPIN is a 10-character digital code for addresses in India.
  16. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change logo shows the balance between nature and human life.
  17. Earth is the only planet we know that has life and needs our care.

MCQs — 10 Questions with Answers

Q1. Who was the first Indian astronaut to see Earth from space?

  • A. Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma ✓
  • B. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla
  • C. Wing Commander Ajay Kumar
  • D. Group Captain Vikram Singh

Answer: A — The chapter states that Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma was the first Indian to see Earth from space and replied 'Saare Jahaan Se Achcha'.

Q2. From which countries do rosy starlings travel to India every winter?

  • A. China and Japan
  • B. Russia, Mongolia and nearby countries ✓
  • C. Australia and New Zealand
  • D. Brazil and Portugal

Answer: B — The chapter clearly states that rosy starlings fly from the southern part of Russia, Mongolia and nearby countries to India every winter.

Q3. What do rosy starlings eat when they visit India?

  • A. Seeds and grains
  • B. Fruits and berries
  • C. Locusts and grasshoppers ✓
  • D. Insects and worms

Answer: C — The chapter explains that rosy starlings feed on locusts and grasshoppers, which are pests that damage crops.

Q4. Where did chillies originally come from before arriving in India?

  • A. Southeast Asia
  • B. Middle East
  • C. South America ✓
  • D. Africa

Answer: C — The chapter states that chilli plants were originally found only in South America and were brought to India by Portuguese travellers 400-500 years ago.

Q5. What spice did Indians use to make their food tasty before chillies arrived?

  • A. Turmeric
  • B. Black pepper ✓
  • C. Cloves
  • D. Cardamom

Answer: B — The chapter mentions that before the arrival of chilli, Indians used black pepper to spice up their food.

Q6. For how long has yoga been practiced in India?

  • A. About 1,000 years
  • B. About 2,000 years
  • C. More than 3,000 years ✓
  • D. About 500 years

Answer: C — The chapter clearly states that yoga has been practiced in India for more than 3,000 years.

Q7. When did the United Nations declare International Day of Yoga?

  • A. 2010
  • B. 2012
  • C. 2014 ✓
  • D. 2016

Answer: C — The chapter states that the United Nations declared 21 June as the International Day of Yoga in 2014.

Q8. Which of the following foods originally came from South America and is now very common in Indian cooking? (Fill in the blank) The __________ plant was brought to India from South America by Portuguese traders.

  • A. rice
  • B. chilli ✓
  • C. pepper
  • D. turmeric

Answer: B — The chapter's Story 3 focuses on how chilli plants from South America were brought to India and became an essential part of Indian cuisine.

Q9. Why do you think Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla said 'Earth is our one home' after seeing it from space?

  • A. Because he could see only one country from space
  • B. Because no borders are visible from space and all people live together on one planet ✓
  • C. Because space has only one house
  • D. Because he was the only person in space

Answer: B — The chapter shows that from space, no borders are visible, and everything looks like one planet where all people are connected.

Q10. How did yoga spread from India to almost every country in the world?

  • A. Through movies and television only
  • B. Through travellers, scholars and teachers who shared it as they travelled and lived in different countries ✓
  • C. Through books written in English
  • D. Through the government of India forcing other countries

Answer: B — The chapter states that travellers, scholars and teachers from India shared yoga with the world, and slowly people in other countries began to learn and practise it.

Flashcards

Who was the first Indian to see Earth from space?

Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma was the first Indian to see Earth from space.

What did Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla say about Earth from the International Space Station?

He said Earth looks completely one with no borders visible, and we are all part of humanity with Earth as our shared home.

What are rosy starlings and where do they come from?

Rosy starlings are pink and black birds that fly from Russia and Mongolia to India every winter to enjoy warm weather and feed on pests.

How do rosy starlings help Indian farmers?

They eat locusts and grasshoppers which are pests that damage crops, thus helping protect the harvest.

Where did chillies come from originally?

Chillies originally came from South America and were brought to India by Portuguese travellers 400 to 500 years ago.

What did Indians use to spice their food before chillies arrived?

Indians used black pepper to spice up their food before the arrival of chillies from South America.

How long has yoga been practiced in India?

Yoga has been practiced in India for more than 3,000 years as a way to keep bodies healthy and minds peaceful.

When was International Day of Yoga declared and by whom?

The United Nations declared 21 June as International Day of Yoga in 2014, with millions around the world doing yoga together.

How did the knowledge of making sugar spread from India to other parts of the world?

The method of making jaggery and sugar from sugarcane was first discovered in India and spread to other countries through trade and travel.

What does it mean when we say 'nature has no boundaries'?

It means air, water, clouds, seeds and animals move freely across the world without being stopped by country borders.

Important Board Questions

What did Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma say about India when he saw it from space? [1 mark]

He gave a famous reply in Hindi. Look for the exact quote in the chapter under 'Do you know?'

Name two countries from which rosy starlings travel to India in winter. What is the main reason they come to India? [2 marks]

The chapter names Russia and Mongolia. Rosy starlings come for warm weather and food (pests to eat).

Chillies came to India from South America 400-500 years ago. Explain with an example how this journey of chilli shows that Earth is a shared home where things and ideas travel freely. [3 marks]

Mention that chillies crossed countries without borders, found new climate, became part of Indian culture, and now we cannot imagine food without them — this shows global connection.

Yoga was developed in India over 3,000 years ago. Write in detail how yoga spread from India to the rest of the world. What does this tell us about how people and ideas are connected globally? (Draw and label a map showing yoga's journey from India to other countries.) [5 marks]

Explain that travellers, scholars and teachers shared yoga; it went from India to other countries through travel and trade; UN declared 21 June as International Day of Yoga (2014); this shows that good practices and knowledge travel and connect people worldwide.

True or False: Before chillies arrived in India, Indians used honey to make their food tasty. Reason: __________ [2 marks]

This is FALSE. The chapter says Indians used black pepper before chillies arrived, not honey. Honey was used as a sweetener worldwide, not as a spice.

Assertion-Reason Questions for Earth is Our Home

Q1. Assertion (A):

Rosy starlings are helpful to Indian farmers.

Reason (R):

Rosy starlings eat locusts and grasshoppers which are pests that damage crops.

Answer: A — Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A — Both statements are true, and the reason correctly explains why rosy starlings are helpful — they eat harmful insects that damage crops, protecting the harvest.

Q2. Assertion (A):

Yoga is now practised in almost every country in the world.

Reason (R):

Yoga was invented in Europe and is very easy to learn.

Answer: C — A is true but R is false — The assertion is true — yoga is now practised worldwide — but the reason is false. Yoga was invented in India, not Europe, and it spread through sharing and travel, not because it is easy.

Q3. Assertion (A):

Chillies were originally found only in South America.

Reason (R):

Portuguese travellers brought chillies to India 400 to 500 years ago.

Answer: B — Both A and R are true, but R is NOT the correct explanation of A — Both statements are true, but the reason does not explain why chillies were found only in South America — it only explains how they came to India. The reason is not the correct explanation for the assertion.

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Case-Based Questions (CBQ) for Earth is Our Home

Case Study:

Priya's mother is preparing a delicious lunch at home. She chops tomatoes, potatoes and chillies to make a curry. Priya asks her mother where these vegetables come from. Her mother says that her grandmother used black pepper long ago instead of chillies, and she is amazed that these vegetables are now so common in Indian kitchens.

Q1. Why did Priya's grandmother use black pepper instead of chillies?

  • A. Because chillies did not exist in India long ago ✓
  • B. Because black pepper tasted better
  • C. Because tomatoes were not available
  • D. Because chillies are expensive

Answer: A

Q2. Based on the chapter, which vegetable in Priya's curry originally came from South America?

  • A. Only chilli
  • B. Only tomato
  • C. Only potato
  • D. Tomato, potato and chilli ✓

Answer: D

Q3. What does Priya's mother's story show about Earth?

  • A. India produces all vegetables
  • B. Plants and foods travel between countries and become part of new cultures ✓
  • C. Vegetables should never be eaten
  • D. Black pepper is better than chillies

Answer: B

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