MY CHILDHOOD

Thinking about the Text

I. Answer these questions in one or two sentences each: 

1. Where was Abdul Kalam’s house? 

Ans: 1. Abdul Kalam’s house was on the Mosque Street of Rameswaram in the erstwhile Madras State. 

2. What do you think Dinamani is the name of? Give a reason for your answer. 

Ans. Dinamani may be the name of a local newspaper because Kalam says that he used to trace the stories of the war in the headlines of Dinamani. 

3. Who were Abdul Kalam’s school friends? What did they later become?

 Ans. Ramanadha Sastry, Aravindan and Shivaprakasan were Abdul Kalam’s school friends. Ramanadha Shastry became the high priest of the Rameshwaram temple, Aravindan had a business of arranging transport for the pilgrims and Sivaprakasan became a catering contractor for the Southern Railways. 

4. How did Abdul Kalam earn his first wages?

 Ans. When emergency was declared the train halt in Rameswaram station was suspended. The newspapers were bundled and thrown out of the moving train. His cousin, Samsuddin who distributed newspapers wanted a helping hand to catch these bundles. Abdul Kalam took over the job. This is how he earned his first wages. 

5. Had he earned any money before that? In what way?

 Ans. Yes, Abdul Kalam had earned some money before also. When the Second World War broke out, there was a sudden demand for tamarind seeds in the market. He used to collect the seeds and sell them at a provision shop. This earned him one anna per day.

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

1. How does the author describe: (i) his father, (ii) his mother, (iii) himself? 

Ans: 1. (i) Kalam says that his father, Jainulabdeen did not have much formal education or much wealth. But he possessed great innate wisdom and a true generosity of spirit. He avoided all inessential comforts and luxuries.

(ii) Kalam’s mother, Ashiamma was an ideal helpmate to her husband. Everyday she provided food to more outsiders than her family members. 

(iii) The author describes himself as a short boy with undistinguished looks, born to tall and handsome parents. He had a secure childhood. He was honest and self-disciplined who believed in goodness and deep kindness. 

2. What characteristics does he say he inherited from his parents?

 Ans. He says that he inherited honesty and self discipline from his father and faith in goodness and deep kindness from his mother. 

III. Discuss these questions in class with your teacher and then write down your answers in two or three paragraphs each. 1. “On the whole, the small society of Rameswaram was very rigid in terms of the segregation of different social groups,” says the author. (i) Which social groups does he mention? Were these groups easily identifiable (for example, by the way they dressed)? (ii) Were they aware only of their differences or did they also naturally share friendships and experiences? (Think of the bedtime stories in Kalam’s house; of who his friends were; and of what used to take place in the pond near his house.) 

 Ans: (i) He mentions two social groups of Rameshwaram – Orthodox Brahmins and Muslims. Yes, these groups were easily identifiable. Kalam wore a cap, which marked him as a Muslim. Ramanadha Sastry wore a sacred thread which marked him a Hindu. 

 (ii) No, they were not only aware of their differences but also they shared friendships and experiences. The bedtime stories Kalam’s mother and grandmother told were about the events from the Ramayana and from the life of the Prophet. His three close friends were from Orthodox Hindu Brahmin families. During the Shri Sita Rama Kalyanam ceremony, his family used to arrange boats with a special platform for carrying idols of the Lord from the temple to the marriage site. 

2. (i) Why did Abdul Kalam want to leave Rameswaram? 

(ii) What did his father say to this? 

(iii) What do you think his words mean? Why do you think he spoke those words? 

 Ans: (i) Kalam wanted to leave Rameswaram to study at the district headquarters in Ramanathapuram. 

(ii) Kalam's father said that he knew that one day Kalam had to go away to grow. He says that the seagull flies across the sun alone and without a nest. He then quoted Khalil Gibran to Kalam's mother saying that her children were not her own children. They were the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself. They came through their parents, but not from them. They may give them their love, but not their thoughts as the children have their own thoughts. 

(iii) Abdul Kalam’s father’s words bear great meanings. First, he inspires his son to go ahead by giving the example of the seagull. The seagull flies across the sun alone and has to find its means of livelihood. Similarly every child has to get separated from their parents and find their means. Secondly, he explains to Kalam’s mother quoting Khalil Gibran parents can give their love to children but not their thoughts. Children have their own thoughts. He spoke those words to encourage Abdul Kalam and to control the emotional attachment of his wife for Kalam.

Thinking about Language 

II. 1. Match the phrases in Column A with their meanings in Column B. 
A                                                            B
 (i) broke out - (c) began suddenly in a violent way
(ii) in accordance with (f) according to a particular rule, principle or system 
(iii) a helping hand (d) assistance 
(iv) could not stomach (b) was unable to tolerate 
(v) generosity of spirit (a) an attitude of kindness, a readiness to give freely
(vi) figures of authority (e) persons with power to make decision 
2.  Ans: Inadequate      Unacceptable     Irregular 
Intolerant    Undemanding      Inactive     Untrue 
Impermanent     Unpatriotic     Undisputed    Inaccessible 
Incoherent      Illogical      Illegal       Irresponsible      Impossible

IV. Rewrite the sentences given below, changing the verbs in brackets into the passive form. 
Ans: 1. In yesterday’s competition the prizes were given away by the Principal.
2. In spite of financial difficulties, the labourers were paid on time.
3. On Republic Day, vehicles are not allowed beyond this point. 
4. Second-hand books are bought and sold on the pavement every Saturday. 
5. Elections to the Lok Sabha are held every five years. 
6. Our National Anthem was composed by Rabindranath Tagore. 

V. Rewrite the paragraphs below, using the correct form of the verb given in brackets.

1. How Helmets Came To Be Used in Cricket 

 Ans: Nari Contractor was the Captain and an opening batsman for India in the 1960s. The Indian cricket team went on a tour to the West Indies in 1962. In a match against Barbados in Bridgetown, Nari Contractor got seriously injured and collapsed. In those days helmets were not worn. Contractor was hit on the head by a bouncer from Charlie Griffith. Contractor’s skull had fractured. The entire team was deeply concerned. The West Indies players were worried. Contractor was rushed to the hospital. He was accompanied by Frank Worrell, the Captain of the West Indies Team. Blood was donated by the West Indies players. Thanks to the timely help, Contractor was saved. Nowadays helmets are routinely used against bowlers. 

2. Oil from Seeds 

Ans: Vegetable oils are made from seeds and fruits of many plants growing all over the world, from tiny sesame seeds to big, juicy coconuts. Oil is produced from cotton seeds, groundnuts, soya beans and sunflower seeds. Olive oil is used for cooking, salad dressing etc. Olives are shaken from the trees and gathered up, usually by hand. The olives are ground to a thick paste which is spread onto special mats. Then the mats are layered up on the pressing machine which will gently squeeze them to produce olive oil.