1. Where was Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam born?
Answer:
Dr. Kalam was born in the island town of Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, in 1931. He belonged to a middle-class Tamil family, living in a large ancestral house on Mosque Street.
2. Describe Dr. Kalam’s parents.
Answer:
His father, Jainulabdeen, had little formal education but was wise and generous. His mother, Ashiamma, was a supportive helpmate who fed many people daily, more than the family itself.
3. What effect did the Second World War have on Rameswaram?
Answer:
Rameswaram was mostly unaffected by the war, but when India joined the Allied Forces, emergency measures affected the town. One result was the suspension of train halts at Rameswaram station.
4. What was Dr. Kalam’s first job?
Answer:
Kalam helped his cousin Samsuddin, who distributed newspapers. He earned his first wages by catching newspaper bundles thrown from the moving train, which gave him a sense of pride.
5. What values did Kalam inherit from his parents?
Answer:
From his father, he inherited honesty and self-discipline. From his mother, he inherited faith in goodness and deep kindness, traits that shaped his character.
6. Who were Kalam’s close childhood friends?
Answer:
Kalam had three close friends: Ramanadha Sastry, Aravindan, and Sivaprakasan. They all belonged to orthodox Brahmin families, but religious differences never came between their friendship.
7. What incident occurred in Kalam’s fifth standard class?
Answer:
A new teacher couldn’t tolerate a Muslim boy, Kalam, sitting with a Hindu priest’s son, Ramanadha Sastry. He made Kalam sit in the back, which saddened both boys deeply.
8. How did Ramanadha Sastry’s father react to the incident?
Answer:
Ramanadha Sastry’s father, Pakshi Lakshmana Sastry, reprimanded the teacher for spreading communal intolerance. He asked the teacher to apologize or leave the school, which reformed the teacher’s mindset.
9. How did Kalam’s science teacher, Sivasubramania Iyer, treat him?
Answer:
Sivasubramania Iyer was a forward-thinking man who invited Kalam to dine at his house, defying social norms. Despite his wife’s reluctance, he personally served Kalam and encouraged social equality.
10. What change occurred in Iyer’s wife regarding Kalam?
Answer:
Initially, Iyer’s wife refused to serve Kalam due to his Muslim background. However, after observing her husband’s actions, she later served Kalam herself during his next visit.
11. How did Kalam’s family participate in local religious ceremonies?
Answer:
Kalam’s family was involved in the Shri Sita Rama Kalyanam ceremony, arranging boats with special platforms to carry the idols of the Lord from the temple to the marriage site.
12. What influence did Kalam’s science teacher have on him?
Answer:
Iyer encouraged Kalam to aim high and break through social barriers, urging him to aspire to be on par with highly educated people from big cities, which had a lasting impact on Kalam.
13. What stories were shared with Kalam as a child?
Answer:
Kalam’s mother and grandmother told him bedtime stories from the Ramayana and the life of the Prophet. These stories played an important role in shaping his values and imagination.
14. How did Kalam feel after earning his first wages?
Answer:
Kalam felt a surge of pride and joy after earning his first wages by helping his cousin with newspaper distribution. This experience gave him a sense of responsibility and accomplishment.
15. What was Kalam’s early education like?
Answer:
Kalam attended Rameswaram Elementary School, where he was influenced by his teachers and friends. Despite some incidents of discrimination, his childhood education was supportive and formative.
16. What role did Kalam’s family play in his sense of security?
Answer:
Although Kalam’s family avoided luxuries, all basic needs like food, medicine, and clothing were well provided. This created a secure and emotionally stable environment for him during his childhood.
17. How did the war affect local businesses in Rameswaram?
Answer:
The war created unusual market demands, such as for tamarind seeds, which Kalam collected and sold to earn money. The suspension of train services also impacted local newspaper distribution.
18. What did Kalam’s science teacher believe about changing social systems?
Answer:
Iyer believed that once a person decides to challenge social systems, they must be prepared to face difficulties. He demonstrated this belief by inviting Kalam to his home despite his wife’s initial objections.
19. What did Kalam’s friends do in their adult lives?
Answer:
Ramanadha Sastry became a priest, Aravindan started arranging pilgrim transport, and Sivaprakasan became a catering contractor for the Southern Railways. Each followed their respective paths while maintaining their friendship.
20. How did Kalam’s father influence his decision to pursue higher studies?
Answer:
Kalam’s father supported his decision to leave Rameswaram and continue his education at the district headquarters in Ramanathapuram, which paved the way for his future success.
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