Page 1
Lesson - 7
A Visit to Cambridge
Page 2
Lesson - 7
A Visit to Cambridge
Firdaus Kanga (Born in 1960) is an Indian writer and actor who lives
in London. He has written a novel, Trying to Grow a semi-autobiographical
novel set in India and a travel book Heaven on Wheels about his experiences
in the United Kingdom where he met Stephen Hawking. Trying to Grow was
later turned into a film, Sixth Happiness, for which Kanga wrote
the screenplay, and in which he starred.
Kanga is from a Parsi family. He was born in 1960 in Mumbai. Until
fourth grade, Kanga was tutored in home after which he joined the Campion
School in Mumbai. He is 4 ft (122cm) tall and is a writer, journalist and actor
in his written movie "Sixth Happiness".
He is also the author of Heaven on Wheels. He lives in London
England. His nick name is Pranav.
About the author:
Page 3
Lesson - 7
A Visit to Cambridge
Firdaus Kanga (Born in 1960) is an Indian writer and actor who lives
in London. He has written a novel, Trying to Grow a semi-autobiographical
novel set in India and a travel book Heaven on Wheels about his experiences
in the United Kingdom where he met Stephen Hawking. Trying to Grow was
later turned into a film, Sixth Happiness, for which Kanga wrote
the screenplay, and in which he starred.
Kanga is from a Parsi family. He was born in 1960 in Mumbai. Until
fourth grade, Kanga was tutored in home after which he joined the Campion
School in Mumbai. He is 4 ft (122cm) tall and is a writer, journalist and actor
in his written movie "Sixth Happiness".
He is also the author of Heaven on Wheels. He lives in London
England. His nick name is Pranav.
About the author:
Introduction:
A Visit to Cambridge is written by Firdaus Kanga, writer and journalist from Mumbai. He was born with
‘brittle bones’ that tended to break easily when he was a child. The lesson gives us a glimpse of the meeting
between Firdaus Kanga and Stephen Hawking. Stephen Hawking, one of the greatest scientists of our time
suffered from a form of paralysis that confined him to a wheelchair, and allowed him to ‘speak’ only by
punching buttons on a computer, which speaks for him in a machine-like voice. Both these men moved around
in wheelchairs. It was during Firdaus Kanga’s visit to Cambridge that they met each other.
Page 4
Lesson - 7
A Visit to Cambridge
Firdaus Kanga (Born in 1960) is an Indian writer and actor who lives
in London. He has written a novel, Trying to Grow a semi-autobiographical
novel set in India and a travel book Heaven on Wheels about his experiences
in the United Kingdom where he met Stephen Hawking. Trying to Grow was
later turned into a film, Sixth Happiness, for which Kanga wrote
the screenplay, and in which he starred.
Kanga is from a Parsi family. He was born in 1960 in Mumbai. Until
fourth grade, Kanga was tutored in home after which he joined the Campion
School in Mumbai. He is 4 ft (122cm) tall and is a writer, journalist and actor
in his written movie "Sixth Happiness".
He is also the author of Heaven on Wheels. He lives in London
England. His nick name is Pranav.
About the author:
Introduction:
A Visit to Cambridge is written by Firdaus Kanga, writer and journalist from Mumbai. He was born with
‘brittle bones’ that tended to break easily when he was a child. The lesson gives us a glimpse of the meeting
between Firdaus Kanga and Stephen Hawking. Stephen Hawking, one of the greatest scientists of our time
suffered from a form of paralysis that confined him to a wheelchair, and allowed him to ‘speak’ only by
punching buttons on a computer, which speaks for him in a machine-like voice. Both these men moved around
in wheelchairs. It was during Firdaus Kanga’s visit to Cambridge that they met each other.
Summary:
A Visit to Cambridge by Firdaus Kanga begins with him taking a walking tour through Cambridge. During
this tour, his guide mentioned that the famous astrophysicist Stephen Hawking lived there. The author had
completely forgotten about this and just as his tour ended, he went to a phone booth to contact him. He was able
to talk to Hawking’s assistant and explain to him that he had come all the way from India on a wheelchair. The
assistant allowed him half an hour with the scientist, from three-thirty to four.
The writer mentions how people often ask differently-abled people to cheer-up as if they have a courage
account they are too lazy to draw a check on. He feels the only thing that can make you stronger is seeing
someone like you achieve something great. Stephen Hawking told him that he hadn’t been brave and this was the
only choice he had, although the writer is of a conflicting view.
The author was guilty of making the scientist speak as it took a lot of effort for him to tap on his little
switch and find words in his computer. He was a man with a bright mind but his computerized voice made his
thoughts come out as frozen phrases. Stephen mentions that he finds it amusing when people patronize him..
Page 5
Lesson - 7
A Visit to Cambridge
Firdaus Kanga (Born in 1960) is an Indian writer and actor who lives
in London. He has written a novel, Trying to Grow a semi-autobiographical
novel set in India and a travel book Heaven on Wheels about his experiences
in the United Kingdom where he met Stephen Hawking. Trying to Grow was
later turned into a film, Sixth Happiness, for which Kanga wrote
the screenplay, and in which he starred.
Kanga is from a Parsi family. He was born in 1960 in Mumbai. Until
fourth grade, Kanga was tutored in home after which he joined the Campion
School in Mumbai. He is 4 ft (122cm) tall and is a writer, journalist and actor
in his written movie "Sixth Happiness".
He is also the author of Heaven on Wheels. He lives in London
England. His nick name is Pranav.
About the author:
Introduction:
A Visit to Cambridge is written by Firdaus Kanga, writer and journalist from Mumbai. He was born with
‘brittle bones’ that tended to break easily when he was a child. The lesson gives us a glimpse of the meeting
between Firdaus Kanga and Stephen Hawking. Stephen Hawking, one of the greatest scientists of our time
suffered from a form of paralysis that confined him to a wheelchair, and allowed him to ‘speak’ only by
punching buttons on a computer, which speaks for him in a machine-like voice. Both these men moved around
in wheelchairs. It was during Firdaus Kanga’s visit to Cambridge that they met each other.
Summary:
A Visit to Cambridge by Firdaus Kanga begins with him taking a walking tour through Cambridge. During
this tour, his guide mentioned that the famous astrophysicist Stephen Hawking lived there. The author had
completely forgotten about this and just as his tour ended, he went to a phone booth to contact him. He was able
to talk to Hawking’s assistant and explain to him that he had come all the way from India on a wheelchair. The
assistant allowed him half an hour with the scientist, from three-thirty to four.
The writer mentions how people often ask differently-abled people to cheer-up as if they have a courage
account they are too lazy to draw a check on. He feels the only thing that can make you stronger is seeing
someone like you achieve something great. Stephen Hawking told him that he hadn’t been brave and this was the
only choice he had, although the writer is of a conflicting view.
The author was guilty of making the scientist speak as it took a lot of effort for him to tap on his little
switch and find words in his computer. He was a man with a bright mind but his computerized voice made his
thoughts come out as frozen phrases. Stephen mentions that he finds it amusing when people patronize him..
The writer then gives a description of Hawkins as to how he looks like a three-dimensional version of all
his photographs in magazines. First impression of his appearance is shocking but he is the embodiment of inner
glow in a man. He made the author believe in eternal souls and that everything else is just an accessory.
Hawking thinks there is nothing good about being disabled but the writer is of the view that it makes you realize
the existence of kindness in the world.
Further, upon being asked, if he inspires a lot of people makes it any better for Stephen, he answered that
it doesn’t. For someone whose body is like a claustrophobic room whose walls are getting narrower day by day,
it doesn’t make much of a difference. The only advice Stephen had to offer to differently-abled people is only to
focus on things they are good at.
The half an hour came to an end and it was time for the writer to leave but the scientist made him stay. He
offered the writer tea and a tour of his garden. His garden was as big as a park but Stephen covered every inch
of it in his wheelchair while the writer dodged himself out of his way. They did not talk much in the sun. When
it was time to leave, the author touched his shoulder and wheeled out. As he looked back, he could see an
embodiment of his bravest self, the one he was moving towards and the one he had believed in for so many
years.
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