My Childhood - Q&A

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

1. Where was Abdul Kalam's house?

Abdul Kalam's house was located on Mosque Street in the island town of Rameswaram in the erstwhile Madras State.

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

Dinamani is the name of a newspaper. The reason is that Abdul Kalam mentions he would attempt to trace the stories of the War in the headlines in Dinamani.

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

His three close school friends were Ramanadha Sastry, Aravindan, and Sivaprakasan. Later, Ramanadha Sastry took over the priesthood of the Rameswaram temple; Aravindan went into the business of arranging transport for visiting pilgrims; and Sivaprakasan became a catering contractor for the Southern Railways.

4. How did Abdul Kalam earn his first wages?

Abdul Kalam earned his first wages by helping his cousin Samsuddin catch bundles of newspapers that were thrown from a moving train on the Rameswaram Road, acting as a helping hand to distribute them.

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

Yes, he had earned money before that. When a sudden demand for tamarind seeds erupted in the market, he collected the seeds and sold them to a provision shop on Mosque Street, earning one anna per day.

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

(i) His father: The author describes his father as having great innate wisdom, a true generosity of spirit, and being austere—avoiding inessential luxuries but providing all necessities.
(ii) His mother: He describes her as an ideal helpmate to his father, a gentle woman with deep kindness who fed many outsiders every day.
(iii) Himself: He describes himself as a short boy with rather undistinguished looks, born to tall and handsome parents, who had a secure childhood.

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

He says he inherited honesty and self-discipline from his father; and from his mother, he inherited faith in goodness and deep kindness.

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)?

He mentions the orthodox Hindu Brahmin families and the Muslim community. Yes, these groups were easily identifiable by their attire; for instance, Kalam wore a cap which marked him as a Muslim, while his friend Ramanadha Sastry wore the sacred thread indicative of a Brahmin.

(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.)

They naturally shared friendships and experiences despite being aware of their differences. Kalam's close friends were Brahmins. In his family, bedtime stories were drawn from both the Ramayana and the life of the Prophet. Furthermore, during the Shri Sita Rama Kalyanam ceremony, his Muslim family arranged boats to carry idols of the Lord, showing a shared cultural experience.

(iii) The author speaks both of people who were very aware of the differences among them and those who tried to bridge these differences. Can you identify such people in the text?

Yes. The new school teacher and Sivasubramania Iyer's wife (initially) were people very aware of differences and enforced segregation. On the other hand, Lakshmana Sastry (the high priest) and Sivasubramania Iyer (the science teacher) were those who tried to bridge these differences and fought against social barriers.

(iv) Narrate two incidents that show how differences can be created, and also how they can be resolved. How can people change their attitudes?

Difference Created: A new teacher made Kalam sit on the back bench because he could not stomach a Muslim boy sitting with a priest's son. Resolved: Lakshmana Sastry warned the teacher against spreading communal intolerance, forcing the teacher to apologize.
Difference Created: Sivasubramania Iyer's wife refused to serve Kalam in her kitchen. Resolved: Iyer served Kalam himself. Observing this, his wife later changed her attitude and served Kalam with her own hands during his next visit.
People can change their attitudes through patience, conviction, and the example set by others who refuse to accept rigid social barriers.

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

Abdul Kalam wanted to leave Rameswaram to study at the district headquarters in Ramanathapuram for higher education and to grow in his career.

(ii) What did his father say to this?

His father agreed, saying he knew Kalam had to go away to grow. He used the analogy of a seagull flying across the sun, alone and without a nest.

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

His words meant that for a child to grow and achieve their potential, they must leave the comfort and protection of their parents' home (the nest) and explore the world independently. He spoke these words to comfort Kalam's mother, who was hesitant to let him go, reminding her that children have their own lives and thoughts to pursue.

I. Find the sentences in the text where these words occur:

erupt, surge, trace, undistinguished, casualty

1. erupt: "For reasons I have never been able to understand, a sudden demand for tamarind seeds erupted in the market."
2. surge: "Half a century later, I can still feel the surge of pride in earning my own money for the first time."
3. trace: "My brother-in-law Jallaluddin would tell me stories about the War which I would later attempt to trace in the headlines in Dinamani."
4. undistinguished: "I was one of many children a short boy with rather undistinguished looks, born to tall and handsome parents."
5. casualty: "The first casualty came in the form of the suspension of the train halt at Rameswaram station."

Look these words up in a dictionary which gives examples of how they are used. Now answer the following questions.

1. What are the things that can erupt? Use examples to explain the various meanings of erupt. Now do the same for the word surge. What things can surge?

Erupt:
- Volcanoes can erupt (explode/eject lava).
- Emotions can erupt (sudden outburst of anger or laughter).
- Diseases/Rashes can erupt (suddenly appear on skin).
- Riots or violence can erupt (start suddenly).

Surge:
- Waves or water can surge (move forward powerfully).
- Crowds can surge (move forward in a mass).
- Emotions can surge (a sudden strong feeling like pride or anxiety).
- Prices or electricity can surge (increase suddenly).

2. What are the meanings of the word trace and which of the meanings is closest to the word in the text?

Meanings of trace:
- To find or discover by investigation (e.g., trace a missing person).
- To copy a drawing by drawing over its lines.
- To follow a track or path.

Closest meaning in text: To find or discover (he was trying to find the stories of the war in the newspapers).

3. Can you find the word undistinguished in your dictionary? (If not, look up the word distinguished and say what undistinguished must mean.)

Distinguished means famous, successful, or having an impressive appearance.
Therefore, Undistinguished means ordinary, common, or not having any special or impressive features.

1. Match the phrases in Column A with their meanings in Column B.

2. Study the words in italics in the sentences below.

They are formed by prefixing un- or in- to their antonyms (words opposite in meaning).

adequate, acceptable, regular, tolerant, demanding, active, true, permanent, patriotic, logical, disputed, legal, accessible, coherent, responsible, possible

Now form the opposites of the words below by prefixing un- or in-.

adequate - inadequate
acceptable - unacceptable
regular - irregular
tolerant - intolerant
demanding - undemanding
active - inactive
true - untrue
permanent - impermanent
patriotic - unpatriotic
logical - illogical
disputed - undisputed
legal - illegal
accessible - inaccessible
coherent - incoherent
responsible - irresponsible
possible - impossible

1. In yesterday's competition the prizes (give away) by the Principal.

In yesterday's competition the prizes were given away by the Principal.

2. In spite of financial difficulties, the labourers (pay) on time.

In spite of financial difficulties, the labourers were paid on time.

3. On Republic Day, vehicles (not allow) beyond this point.

On Republic Day, vehicles are not allowed beyond this point.

4. Second-hand books (buy and sell) on the pavement every Saturday.

Second-hand books are bought and sold on the pavement every Saturday.

5. Elections to the Lok Sabha (hold) every five years.

Elections to the Lok Sabha are held every five years.

6. Our National Anthem (compose) Rabindranath Tagore.

Our National Anthem was composed by Rabindranath Tagore.

1. How Helmets Came To Be Used in Cricket

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 (seriously injure and collapse). In those days helmets (not wear). Contractor (hit) on the head by a bouncer from Charlie Griffith. Contractor's skull (fracture). The entire team (deeply concern). The West Indies players (worry). Contractor (rush) to hospital. He (accompany) by Frank Worrell, the Captain of the West Indies Team. Blood (donate) by the West Indies players. Thanks to the timely help, Contractor (save). Nowadays helmets (routinely use) against bowlers.

Answer:
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 was 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 was fractured. The entire team was deeply concerned. The West Indies players were worried. Contractor was rushed to 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

Vegetable oils (make) from seeds and fruits of many plants growing all over the world, from tiny sesame seeds to big, juicy coconuts. Oil (produce) from cotton seeds, groundnuts, soya beans and sunflower seeds. Olive oil (use) for cooking, salad dressing etc. Olives (shake) from the trees and (gather) up, usually by hand. The olives (ground) to a thick paste which is spread onto special mats. Then the mats (layer) up on the pressing machine which will gently squeeze them to produce olive oil.

Answer:
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.

Here is a topic for you to
1. think about;
2. give your opinion on.
Find out what other people think about it. Ask your friends/seniors/parents to give you their opinion.

'Career Building Is the Only Goal of Education.'
or
'Getting a Good Job Is More Important than Being a Good Human Being.'

Sample Opinion (Option 2):
In my opinion, getting a good job is important for financial stability, but it is definitely not more important than being a good human being. It seems to me that kindness, integrity, and empathy are the foundations of a happy life and a healthy society. A person can be successful and rich, but if they are dishonest or cruel, they contribute negatively to the world. If you ask me, the primary goal of education should be character building, and career success should follow. According to some parents, job security is the priority, but I strongly feel that without good values, professional success is hollow.

Think and write a short account of what life in Rameswaram in the 1940s must have been like. (Were people rich or poor? Hard working or lazy? Hopeful of change, or resistant to it?).

Life in Rameswaram in the 1940s

Life in Rameswaram during the 1940s seems to have been simple, austere, and peaceful, despite the external pressures of World War II. The town was a mix of different religious communities, primarily Hindus and Muslims, who lived together in harmony. While there was strict social segregation and rigidity in terms of dining and interaction, as seen in the behaviour of the new teacher and Sivasubramania Iyer's wife, there were also strong friendships that crossed these barriers, like Kalam's friendship with the priest's son.

People appeared to be hardworking and not very wealthy; most families, like Kalam's, lived a middle-class life where necessities were provided but luxuries were avoided. The economy was small, with people earning from small trades like selling tamarind seeds or distributing newspapers. The society was generally traditional and perhaps resistant to sudden change, yet there were progressive individuals like Kalam's father and his science teacher who were hopeful of change and worked to bridge social gaps.