Chapter 6: My Childhood

Thinking About the Text (Questions & Answers)

I. Answer these questions in a few words or a couple of sentences each.

1. Where was A.P.J. Abdul Kalam born?

   A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was born in the island town of Rameswaram in the erstwhile Madras State.

2. What kind of parents did Kalam have?

   Kalam had simple, wise, and generous parents. His father was a disciplined and honest man, and his mother was an ideal helpmate who fed many people.

3. What was Kalam's first earning?

   Kalam's first earning was from collecting and selling tamarind seeds during World War II, which fetched him one anna.

4. Who were Kalam's three close friends in childhood?

   Kalam's three close friends in childhood were Ramanadha Sastry, Aravindan, and Sivaprakasan.

5. Who invited Kalam to his home for a meal, breaking social barriers?

   Kalam's science teacher, Sivasubramania Iyer, invited him to his home for a meal.

6. What did Kalam’s father tell him about leaving Rameswaram?

   Kalam’s father told him that he had to go away to grow, comparing him to a seagull that flies across the sun, alone and without a nest.

II. Answer each of these questions in a short paragraph (about 30 words).

1. How does Kalam describe his childhood?

   Kalam describes his childhood as very secure, both materially and emotionally. He grew up with caring parents and friends, in an environment of simplicity and communal harmony.

2. What role did Kalam’s brother-in-law, Jallaluddin, play in his life?

   Jallaluddin was Kalam's close friend and companion. He discussed spiritual matters and current events with Kalam, broadening his perspective and intellectual horizon.

3. What qualities did Kalam inherit from his parents?

   Kalam inherited honesty and self-discipline from his father, and faith in goodness and deep kindness from his mother.

4. How did the Second World War affect Rameswaram?

   The Second World War brought a state of emergency to Rameswaram, leading to the suspension of train halts and creating a demand for tamarind seeds, which Kalam collected.

III. Answer each of these questions in two or three paragraphs (100–150 words).

1. How did Kalam's science teacher, Sivasubramania Iyer, break social barriers?

   Sivasubramania Iyer, Kalam's science teacher, played a significant role in breaking social barriers in Rameswaram. Despite being an orthodox Brahmin, he was a progressive thinker who believed in breaking down caste distinctions. He invited young Kalam, a Muslim boy, to his home for a meal. Initially, his conservative wife refused to serve Kalam. Instead of getting angry, Iyer served Kalam with his own hands and sat beside him to eat, setting a powerful example.

   The following week, when Kalam was invited again, Iyer's wife herself served him food, signifying a change in her mindset. This incident illustrates Iyer's determination to challenge orthodox social norms and teach by example. He not only provided Kalam with scientific knowledge but also instilled in him the values of equality and brotherhood, inspiring him to overcome societal obstacles and pursue his dreams, regardless of his background.

2. Describe the communal harmony prevalent in Rameswaram during Kalam's childhood.

   During Kalam's childhood, Rameswaram exemplified strong communal harmony, a stark contrast to many other parts of India. Kalam himself was a Muslim, but his closest friends, Ramanadha Sastry, Aravindan, and Sivaprakasan, all belonged to orthodox Hindu Brahmin families. Ramanadha Sastry's father was even the high priest of the Rameswaram Temple, yet their friendship transcended religious differences and was never questioned.

   The families regularly participated in each other's festivals and ceremonies. Kalam's family, though Muslim, actively participated in the annual Sitarama Kalyanam ceremony, providing boats with a special platform for carrying idols from the temple to the marriage site. Instances like Kalam's science teacher, a Brahmin, inviting him to his home for meals, despite initial reluctance from his wife, further demonstrate the prevalent understanding and mutual respect. This environment of peaceful coexistence and interfaith bonding provided Kalam with a secure and inclusive upbringing, shaping his secular outlook.