My childhood Beehive English class 9 Ch-6 by A.P.J Abdul kalam @extramarks #smartstudy07 #class9

Summary

The video highlights the inspiring early life of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, the 'Missile Man of India' and former President. Born in a humble Tamil family in Rameswaram, Kalam was shaped by his parents' values of honesty, kindness, and discipline. Despite the challenges of growing up during WWII, Kalam's experiences, including his first job selling tamarind seeds, instilled a strong work ethic. His friendships transcended religious boundaries, and his teachers, like Siva Subramaniya Ayer, played pivotal roles in nurturing his character. Kalam's journey underscores the importance of education, perseverance, and standing up against social prejudice.

Takeaways

• 😀 Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, known as the 'Missile Man of India', was born in 1931 in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, into a humble middle-class family.
• 😀 Kalam's father, Janu Lovedin, emphasized simplicity, while his mother, Ashiamma, was known for her generosity and kindness towards the poor.
• 😀 As a child, Kalam witnessed the outbreak of World War II in 1939, and his early entrepreneurial spirit was sparked when he sold tamarind seeds for pocket money.
• 😀 His first wages, earned by helping his cousin distribute newspapers during the war, were a moment of pride and humility for Kalam.
• 😀 Despite coming from different religious backgrounds, Kalam's close friends, including Ramanatha Sastri, were part of a harmonious and inclusive environment.
• 😀 A memorable incident from Kalam’s childhood involved a teacher who tried to segregate him based on religion, but the teacher was reprimanded by Ramanatha's father, highlighting the importance of combating religious prejudice.
• 😀 Kalam’s teacher, Seva Subramanya Ayer, played a pivotal role in shaping his character, promoting unity beyond social and religious divides.
• 😀 Ayer’s courage in serving Kalam a meal despite his wife’s refusal to serve a Muslim boy taught Kalam the importance of facing social barriers head-on.
• 😀 Kalam’s mother and grandmother shared stories from both the Ramayana and the life of Prophet Muhammad, nurturing a deep respect for diverse cultures and religions.
• 😀 Kalam’s life teaches the importance of perseverance, the value of education, and standing up against social vices, encapsulated in his belief: 'Winners are not those who never fail, but those who never quit.'

Q & A

What was the significance of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam's early childhood in shaping his later achievements?

Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam's early childhood was deeply influenced by his humble beginnings, his family's values of discipline, kindness, and generosity, as well as the lessons he learned from his friends and teachers. These early experiences of hard work, humility, and social harmony shaped his later achievements in science and his role as President of India.

How did Dr. Kalam earn his first wages and what was the impact of this experience?

At the age of eight, Kalam earned his first wages by collecting tamarind seeds during World War II, which were in high demand. He sold them to stores, earning one Anna a day. This early experience of earning his own money taught him the value of hard work and responsibility, lessons he carried with him throughout his life.

How did Kalam's family influence his character and beliefs?

Kalam's family played a crucial role in shaping his character. His father, Janu Maluddin, emphasized simplicity and avoided luxury, while his mother, Ashiamma, was known for her generosity. Both parents instilled in him the values of honesty, discipline, and kindness. This strong familial foundation influenced his later views on education, social equality, and humility.

What was the communal intolerance incident that Kalam experienced in his childhood?

Kalam faced an incident of communal intolerance when his teacher segregated him from his Hindu friend, Ramanatha Sastri, simply because of their different religions. The teacher instructed Kalam to sit on the back bench, which upset both children. The issue was addressed when Ramanatha's father confronted the teacher, condemning his discriminatory actions.

How did Kalam's relationship with his friends influence his views on religious tolerance?

Kalam's close friendships with Ramanatha Sastri, Aravindan, and Seva Prakasan, who were from Orthodox Hindu Brahmin families, helped him develop a strong sense of religious tolerance. Despite their different religious backgrounds, they never felt any divide. This inclusive friendship reinforced Kalam's belief in unity and harmony across religious communities.

What role did Kalam's science teacher, Seva Subramanya Ayer, play in shaping his views on social barriers?

Seva Subramanya Ayer, Kalam's science teacher, played a significant role in shaping his views on overcoming social barriers. Ayer, despite coming from an orthodox Brahmin family, treated Kalam with great respect and encouraged him to challenge societal norms. Ayer's actions, such as serving Kalam a meal despite his wife's initial refusal, reinforced the importance of social equality and courage in confronting prejudice.

What was the role of education in Kalam's early life and later success?

Education was a key factor in Kalam's early life and later success. His determination to pursue knowledge, despite the social and economic challenges he faced, helped him achieve great heights in his academic and professional life. Kalam's experiences demonstrated that education is not only essential for personal development but also for overcoming societal prejudices.

How did Kalam's family practice religious harmony and inclusivity?

Kalam's family practiced religious harmony by being inclusive in their actions. They organized boats for the annual Sri Sita Rama Kalyanam ceremony, a Hindu tradition, and shared stories from both the Ramayana and the life of the Prophet Muhammad with the children. This demonstrated the family's commitment to fostering a balanced understanding of different religions.

What lessons can we learn from Kalam's early life and experiences?

From Kalam's early life, we learn the importance of humility, hard work, and perseverance. His experiences also teach us about the significance of standing up against injustice, the power of education, and the need to overcome social barriers in pursuit of progress and unity.

What does Dr. Kalam's life teach us about overcoming failure?

Dr. Kalam’s life teaches us that true winners are not those who never fail but those who never quit. His persistence, despite early setbacks and societal challenges, underscores the importance of resilience and determination in achieving success.