Class 10 Exam  >  Class 10 Notes  >  English Kumarbharati Class 10 (Maharashtra SSC Board)  >  Textbook: Science and Spirituality

Textbook: Science and Spirituality | English Kumarbharati Class 10 (Maharashtra SSC Board) PDF Download

Download, print and study this document offline
Please wait while the PDF view is loading
 Page 1


Science and Spirituality
Part I
We often witness conflict between two groups of 
people - one that believes in science and the other 
that believes in religion.
Dr Kalam was a great scientist - this is indisputable. 
But he was also convinced that fact and faith can, 
together, create a better planet. He once told me, 
‘Science and faith must coexist for the human good. 
Science provides focus - focus helps us solve questions, 
discover the truth and conceive inventions. Faith provides 
perspective - perspective helps us see how our creations 
and discoveries go on to impact a combination vital for 
the success of societies. Science accelerates progress 
and faith curbs it within reasonable limitations. If the 
two function true to their roles, they will work together 
for the betterment of humanity.’
Dr Kalam’s own life was nourished by multiple 
faiths.
His father, a boatman, also served as an imam at 
their local mosque, and his two best friends were from 
two different religions - one was a Hindu and the other 
was a Christian. Pakshi Lakshmana Shastrigal was 
the head priest of the famous Rameswara temple and 
a Vedic scholar, and the Reverend Father Bodal had 
built the first church on Rameswara Island. Dr Kalam 
recalled how ‘All three of them, in the unique attire of 
their religion, used to sit and discuss the community’s 
problems and find solutions. Throughout the nation and 
the world, the need to have a frank dialogue among 
cultures, religions and civilizations is felt now more 
than ever.’
When asked where he got his humility from Dr 
Kalam would always attribute it to his father. In him, 
he saw how simplicity and divinity could go together. 
Even though his father was a boatman and Dr Kalam 
went on to become the President of India, they shared 
the same values in life. Both believed that if one leads 
a spiritual life then that spirituality can lift them out 
of any kind of confusion misery or failure.
l perspective : view,
particular attitude
towards something
l curbs : controls,
keeps something
within limit
u Why do science and
faith have to go hand
in hand ?
90
Page 2


Science and Spirituality
Part I
We often witness conflict between two groups of 
people - one that believes in science and the other 
that believes in religion.
Dr Kalam was a great scientist - this is indisputable. 
But he was also convinced that fact and faith can, 
together, create a better planet. He once told me, 
‘Science and faith must coexist for the human good. 
Science provides focus - focus helps us solve questions, 
discover the truth and conceive inventions. Faith provides 
perspective - perspective helps us see how our creations 
and discoveries go on to impact a combination vital for 
the success of societies. Science accelerates progress 
and faith curbs it within reasonable limitations. If the 
two function true to their roles, they will work together 
for the betterment of humanity.’
Dr Kalam’s own life was nourished by multiple 
faiths.
His father, a boatman, also served as an imam at 
their local mosque, and his two best friends were from 
two different religions - one was a Hindu and the other 
was a Christian. Pakshi Lakshmana Shastrigal was 
the head priest of the famous Rameswara temple and 
a Vedic scholar, and the Reverend Father Bodal had 
built the first church on Rameswara Island. Dr Kalam 
recalled how ‘All three of them, in the unique attire of 
their religion, used to sit and discuss the community’s 
problems and find solutions. Throughout the nation and 
the world, the need to have a frank dialogue among 
cultures, religions and civilizations is felt now more 
than ever.’
When asked where he got his humility from Dr 
Kalam would always attribute it to his father. In him, 
he saw how simplicity and divinity could go together. 
Even though his father was a boatman and Dr Kalam 
went on to become the President of India, they shared 
the same values in life. Both believed that if one leads 
a spiritual life then that spirituality can lift them out 
of any kind of confusion misery or failure.
l perspective : view,
particular attitude
towards something
l curbs : controls,
keeps something
within limit
u Why do science and
faith have to go hand
in hand ?
90
91
Part II
In the 1960, when Dr Kalam joined ISRO, it was 
just a fledgling organization. His interactions with 
the great scientist Professor Vikram Sarabhai and the 
Reverend Peter Bernard Pereira, shaped his thoughts 
on religion. It was here that he learnt about the true 
meanning of religious service. Professor Sarabhai and 
his team had selected a site in Thumba, Kerala, to set 
up their space research facility. It was an ideal site 
due to its proximity to the magnetic equator. But there 
was a major roadblock in getting possession of the site 
as it was the fishing grounds of Thumba’s fishermen. 
Moreover, it had an old church of St Mary Magdalene, 
a bishop’s house and a school, which was under the 
administration of the church. Government officials 
predicted that it would be impossible to relocate so 
many people from the site and destroy religious 
institutions for the sake of a space research centre.
But upon Dr Sarabhai’s persistence, it was suggested 
that they approach the only person who could help 
them in this situation - Father Pereira, the then bishop 
of the region.
Dr Sarabhai and Dr Kalam approached Father 
Pereira on a Saturday evening. The Reverend said, 
‘Oh Vikram, you are asking me for my children’s 
abode, for my abode, and for God’s abode. How is 
it possible?’ Father Pereira then invited the party to 
visit the church on a Sunday morning. Dr Sarabhai, his 
team, and the forever - inquisitive disciple, Dr Kalam, 
took up the offer.
At church the next Sunday, the Reverend invited 
Dr Sarabhai up to the dais after the prayer service. 
Turning to everyone present, he said, ‘Dear children, 
here is a scientist, Dr Vikram Sarabhai. What does 
science do for us ? We benefit from the devices that 
science has developed to light up our homes. I am able 
to talk to you using this mic, thanks to technological 
advancement. Medical science allows doctors to diagnose 
and treat patients. Science and technology enhance the 
overall comfort and quality of human life. And what do 
I do as a preacher ? I pray for you, for your well-being, 
and for your peace. In short, Vikram and I are doing 
the same job. Both science and spirituality seek the 
Almighty’s blessings for the prosperity of the human 
l fledgling : new and
inexperienced
u What shaped
Dr Kalam’s thoughts
on religion ?
u Why was the site in
Thumba selected for
building the space
research centre ?
u What was the major
obstacle in getting
possession of the
site ?
u Who helped to solve
the problem of
acquiring the site?
l mic : microphone,
mike
Page 3


Science and Spirituality
Part I
We often witness conflict between two groups of 
people - one that believes in science and the other 
that believes in religion.
Dr Kalam was a great scientist - this is indisputable. 
But he was also convinced that fact and faith can, 
together, create a better planet. He once told me, 
‘Science and faith must coexist for the human good. 
Science provides focus - focus helps us solve questions, 
discover the truth and conceive inventions. Faith provides 
perspective - perspective helps us see how our creations 
and discoveries go on to impact a combination vital for 
the success of societies. Science accelerates progress 
and faith curbs it within reasonable limitations. If the 
two function true to their roles, they will work together 
for the betterment of humanity.’
Dr Kalam’s own life was nourished by multiple 
faiths.
His father, a boatman, also served as an imam at 
their local mosque, and his two best friends were from 
two different religions - one was a Hindu and the other 
was a Christian. Pakshi Lakshmana Shastrigal was 
the head priest of the famous Rameswara temple and 
a Vedic scholar, and the Reverend Father Bodal had 
built the first church on Rameswara Island. Dr Kalam 
recalled how ‘All three of them, in the unique attire of 
their religion, used to sit and discuss the community’s 
problems and find solutions. Throughout the nation and 
the world, the need to have a frank dialogue among 
cultures, religions and civilizations is felt now more 
than ever.’
When asked where he got his humility from Dr 
Kalam would always attribute it to his father. In him, 
he saw how simplicity and divinity could go together. 
Even though his father was a boatman and Dr Kalam 
went on to become the President of India, they shared 
the same values in life. Both believed that if one leads 
a spiritual life then that spirituality can lift them out 
of any kind of confusion misery or failure.
l perspective : view,
particular attitude
towards something
l curbs : controls,
keeps something
within limit
u Why do science and
faith have to go hand
in hand ?
90
91
Part II
In the 1960, when Dr Kalam joined ISRO, it was 
just a fledgling organization. His interactions with 
the great scientist Professor Vikram Sarabhai and the 
Reverend Peter Bernard Pereira, shaped his thoughts 
on religion. It was here that he learnt about the true 
meanning of religious service. Professor Sarabhai and 
his team had selected a site in Thumba, Kerala, to set 
up their space research facility. It was an ideal site 
due to its proximity to the magnetic equator. But there 
was a major roadblock in getting possession of the site 
as it was the fishing grounds of Thumba’s fishermen. 
Moreover, it had an old church of St Mary Magdalene, 
a bishop’s house and a school, which was under the 
administration of the church. Government officials 
predicted that it would be impossible to relocate so 
many people from the site and destroy religious 
institutions for the sake of a space research centre.
But upon Dr Sarabhai’s persistence, it was suggested 
that they approach the only person who could help 
them in this situation - Father Pereira, the then bishop 
of the region.
Dr Sarabhai and Dr Kalam approached Father 
Pereira on a Saturday evening. The Reverend said, 
‘Oh Vikram, you are asking me for my children’s 
abode, for my abode, and for God’s abode. How is 
it possible?’ Father Pereira then invited the party to 
visit the church on a Sunday morning. Dr Sarabhai, his 
team, and the forever - inquisitive disciple, Dr Kalam, 
took up the offer.
At church the next Sunday, the Reverend invited 
Dr Sarabhai up to the dais after the prayer service. 
Turning to everyone present, he said, ‘Dear children, 
here is a scientist, Dr Vikram Sarabhai. What does 
science do for us ? We benefit from the devices that 
science has developed to light up our homes. I am able 
to talk to you using this mic, thanks to technological 
advancement. Medical science allows doctors to diagnose 
and treat patients. Science and technology enhance the 
overall comfort and quality of human life. And what do 
I do as a preacher ? I pray for you, for your well-being, 
and for your peace. In short, Vikram and I are doing 
the same job. Both science and spirituality seek the 
Almighty’s blessings for the prosperity of the human 
l fledgling : new and
inexperienced
u What shaped
Dr Kalam’s thoughts
on religion ?
u Why was the site in
Thumba selected for
building the space
research centre ?
u What was the major
obstacle in getting
possession of the
site ?
u Who helped to solve
the problem of
acquiring the site?
l mic : microphone,
mike
mind and body.
‘Dear children, Dr Vikram says that, within a year, 
he wants to build scientific facilities near the sea coast, 
replacing all the settlements that now stand there. Now, 
can you give up your abode ? Can I give up my abode ? 
Can we give up God’s abode for such a great scientific 
mission ?’ Dr Kalam recalled how he witnessed ‘a pin-
drop silence for a long moment’. Then everyone got up, 
and the whole church reverberated with the deafening 
noise of a collective ‘amen’.
And so work on the research centre was soon under 
way. But not without alternate accomodation being 
offered to the affected fishermen, the church and the 
Reverend Pereira.
Part III
A few years later, in the early 1980s, Professor 
Satish Dhawan, the Director of ISRO, under whom Dr 
Kalam had made his first unsuccessful launch in 1970 
and then a successful one in 1980, had provided him 
with more soul - shaping wisdom.
One day in 2012, we were discussing the number of 
Ph.Ds Dr Kalam had received. He said to me, ‘Srijan, 
Professor Dhawan had so many master’s degrees - all 
from the best institutions, no less - so I asked him 
how one can become so academically accomplished. 
He responded saying that academic brilliance is no 
different from the brilliance of a mirror, which can be 
diminished by a coating of dust. Only when the dust 
is removed, does the mirror shine and the reflection 
becomes clear. We can remove the impurities obscuring 
our souls by living pure and ethical lives, and by 
serving humanity. And then God will shine through 
us.’ These words took me back to my meeting with 
Dr Kalam after my graduation from IIMA, in 2009. At 
the time, he had advised me to use my degree and gold 
medal to transform the society I lived in. Back in the 
present moment, it suddenly struck me that Dr Kalam’s 
advice had, in fact, directly resonated from Professor 
Dhawan’s beliefs. The more I lived and worked with 
Dr Kalam, the more I realized that through his words 
of wisdom I was getting to learn from countless great 
minds. 
In April 2009, Dr Kalam was invited to attend 
u How did the people
respond to the
appeal made by Rev.
Pereria ? Would you
have given the same
response ?
u How can we lead a
pure life?
l obscuring : making
unclear
l reverberated :
echoed loudly
l resonated : echoed,
resounded
u Whose philosophy
actually had an
impact on the writer ?
u What advice did
Dr Kalam give the
narrator after his
graduation ? 
92
Page 4


Science and Spirituality
Part I
We often witness conflict between two groups of 
people - one that believes in science and the other 
that believes in religion.
Dr Kalam was a great scientist - this is indisputable. 
But he was also convinced that fact and faith can, 
together, create a better planet. He once told me, 
‘Science and faith must coexist for the human good. 
Science provides focus - focus helps us solve questions, 
discover the truth and conceive inventions. Faith provides 
perspective - perspective helps us see how our creations 
and discoveries go on to impact a combination vital for 
the success of societies. Science accelerates progress 
and faith curbs it within reasonable limitations. If the 
two function true to their roles, they will work together 
for the betterment of humanity.’
Dr Kalam’s own life was nourished by multiple 
faiths.
His father, a boatman, also served as an imam at 
their local mosque, and his two best friends were from 
two different religions - one was a Hindu and the other 
was a Christian. Pakshi Lakshmana Shastrigal was 
the head priest of the famous Rameswara temple and 
a Vedic scholar, and the Reverend Father Bodal had 
built the first church on Rameswara Island. Dr Kalam 
recalled how ‘All three of them, in the unique attire of 
their religion, used to sit and discuss the community’s 
problems and find solutions. Throughout the nation and 
the world, the need to have a frank dialogue among 
cultures, religions and civilizations is felt now more 
than ever.’
When asked where he got his humility from Dr 
Kalam would always attribute it to his father. In him, 
he saw how simplicity and divinity could go together. 
Even though his father was a boatman and Dr Kalam 
went on to become the President of India, they shared 
the same values in life. Both believed that if one leads 
a spiritual life then that spirituality can lift them out 
of any kind of confusion misery or failure.
l perspective : view,
particular attitude
towards something
l curbs : controls,
keeps something
within limit
u Why do science and
faith have to go hand
in hand ?
90
91
Part II
In the 1960, when Dr Kalam joined ISRO, it was 
just a fledgling organization. His interactions with 
the great scientist Professor Vikram Sarabhai and the 
Reverend Peter Bernard Pereira, shaped his thoughts 
on religion. It was here that he learnt about the true 
meanning of religious service. Professor Sarabhai and 
his team had selected a site in Thumba, Kerala, to set 
up their space research facility. It was an ideal site 
due to its proximity to the magnetic equator. But there 
was a major roadblock in getting possession of the site 
as it was the fishing grounds of Thumba’s fishermen. 
Moreover, it had an old church of St Mary Magdalene, 
a bishop’s house and a school, which was under the 
administration of the church. Government officials 
predicted that it would be impossible to relocate so 
many people from the site and destroy religious 
institutions for the sake of a space research centre.
But upon Dr Sarabhai’s persistence, it was suggested 
that they approach the only person who could help 
them in this situation - Father Pereira, the then bishop 
of the region.
Dr Sarabhai and Dr Kalam approached Father 
Pereira on a Saturday evening. The Reverend said, 
‘Oh Vikram, you are asking me for my children’s 
abode, for my abode, and for God’s abode. How is 
it possible?’ Father Pereira then invited the party to 
visit the church on a Sunday morning. Dr Sarabhai, his 
team, and the forever - inquisitive disciple, Dr Kalam, 
took up the offer.
At church the next Sunday, the Reverend invited 
Dr Sarabhai up to the dais after the prayer service. 
Turning to everyone present, he said, ‘Dear children, 
here is a scientist, Dr Vikram Sarabhai. What does 
science do for us ? We benefit from the devices that 
science has developed to light up our homes. I am able 
to talk to you using this mic, thanks to technological 
advancement. Medical science allows doctors to diagnose 
and treat patients. Science and technology enhance the 
overall comfort and quality of human life. And what do 
I do as a preacher ? I pray for you, for your well-being, 
and for your peace. In short, Vikram and I are doing 
the same job. Both science and spirituality seek the 
Almighty’s blessings for the prosperity of the human 
l fledgling : new and
inexperienced
u What shaped
Dr Kalam’s thoughts
on religion ?
u Why was the site in
Thumba selected for
building the space
research centre ?
u What was the major
obstacle in getting
possession of the
site ?
u Who helped to solve
the problem of
acquiring the site?
l mic : microphone,
mike
mind and body.
‘Dear children, Dr Vikram says that, within a year, 
he wants to build scientific facilities near the sea coast, 
replacing all the settlements that now stand there. Now, 
can you give up your abode ? Can I give up my abode ? 
Can we give up God’s abode for such a great scientific 
mission ?’ Dr Kalam recalled how he witnessed ‘a pin-
drop silence for a long moment’. Then everyone got up, 
and the whole church reverberated with the deafening 
noise of a collective ‘amen’.
And so work on the research centre was soon under 
way. But not without alternate accomodation being 
offered to the affected fishermen, the church and the 
Reverend Pereira.
Part III
A few years later, in the early 1980s, Professor 
Satish Dhawan, the Director of ISRO, under whom Dr 
Kalam had made his first unsuccessful launch in 1970 
and then a successful one in 1980, had provided him 
with more soul - shaping wisdom.
One day in 2012, we were discussing the number of 
Ph.Ds Dr Kalam had received. He said to me, ‘Srijan, 
Professor Dhawan had so many master’s degrees - all 
from the best institutions, no less - so I asked him 
how one can become so academically accomplished. 
He responded saying that academic brilliance is no 
different from the brilliance of a mirror, which can be 
diminished by a coating of dust. Only when the dust 
is removed, does the mirror shine and the reflection 
becomes clear. We can remove the impurities obscuring 
our souls by living pure and ethical lives, and by 
serving humanity. And then God will shine through 
us.’ These words took me back to my meeting with 
Dr Kalam after my graduation from IIMA, in 2009. At 
the time, he had advised me to use my degree and gold 
medal to transform the society I lived in. Back in the 
present moment, it suddenly struck me that Dr Kalam’s 
advice had, in fact, directly resonated from Professor 
Dhawan’s beliefs. The more I lived and worked with 
Dr Kalam, the more I realized that through his words 
of wisdom I was getting to learn from countless great 
minds. 
In April 2009, Dr Kalam was invited to attend 
u How did the people
respond to the
appeal made by Rev.
Pereria ? Would you
have given the same
response ?
u How can we lead a
pure life?
l obscuring : making
unclear
l reverberated :
echoed loudly
l resonated : echoed,
resounded
u Whose philosophy
actually had an
impact on the writer ?
u What advice did
Dr Kalam give the
narrator after his
graduation ? 
92
the 102
nd
 birthday celebrations of His Holiness Dr Sri 
Sri Shivakumara Mahaswamiji in the Tumkur district 
of Karnataka. Mahaswamiji is a remarkable person, 
who has dedicated his life to the service of humanity. 
His greatest contribution is the establishment of a 
free residential education system for more than nine 
thousand children in the ashram. The most astonishing 
aspect of the entire event of his birthday was that the 
102 year old Swamiji stood on his feet without any 
support ! He looked as steady and alert as any other 
youngster present there. This display of inner strength 
touched Dr Kalam deeply.
A couple of days later, we were discussing this 
unusual birthday party. I said to him, ‘Sir, do you 
know, only four out of 1 lakh people cross the age of 
100 ?’ I had googled the subject beforehand. He replied, 
‘But how many of these four would be able to stand 
tall for half an hour, give a wise discourse, and then 
go on to feed thousands of children ?’ Of course nobody 
could know the exact answer to his question but the 
question itself led to many other relevant queries. ‘I 
wonder what powers Mahaswamiji possesses that keep 
him so strong at such an advanced age ? Maybe it’s 
a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle, or perhaps it’s 
genetics ?’ I asked.
Dr Kalam sat contemplating deeply.
He recollected the tenet of goodness of action 
from Pramukh Swamiji. Then, perhaps swimming in 
silence to the shores of Mahapragyaji, he gathered the 
sands of conscience to be our guide, our best friend. 
Deeper down in the space-time of memory, he must 
have heard Professor Brahma Prakash’s words about 
the need of living a pure and ethical life, and Father 
Pereira’s and Dr Sarabhai’s lesson of selflessness in 
service. Eventually his thoughts would have settled on 
Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh, in whom he saw great 
tranquility, and finally they must have come full circle 
with the memory of the life of simplicity of his father, 
who always espoused the value of giving back.
At long last, he spoke. ‘It is the very spirit of 
What Can I Give.’ He elaborated, ‘Mahaswamiji lives 
with the beliefs and ethos of our mission. He gives and 
gives - education to famished minds, food to famished 
bodies. In giving so much, he becomes strong. His 
u??? ? What was 
Mahaswamiji’s 
tremendous 
contribution ?
u??? ? What was unique 
about Mahaswamiji ?
u??? ? What was the secret 
of Mahaswamiji’s 
fitness even at the 
age of 102 years ?
l ?discourse : a formal 
talk including a 
debate. 
l ?queries : questions
l ?tenet : a principle 
or belief 
l ?espoused : gave 
support to
l ?ethos : characteristic 
spirit of a culture or 
era
l ?tranquility : peace, 
calmness
Guess the meaning 
of : 
 genetics  
93
Page 5


Science and Spirituality
Part I
We often witness conflict between two groups of 
people - one that believes in science and the other 
that believes in religion.
Dr Kalam was a great scientist - this is indisputable. 
But he was also convinced that fact and faith can, 
together, create a better planet. He once told me, 
‘Science and faith must coexist for the human good. 
Science provides focus - focus helps us solve questions, 
discover the truth and conceive inventions. Faith provides 
perspective - perspective helps us see how our creations 
and discoveries go on to impact a combination vital for 
the success of societies. Science accelerates progress 
and faith curbs it within reasonable limitations. If the 
two function true to their roles, they will work together 
for the betterment of humanity.’
Dr Kalam’s own life was nourished by multiple 
faiths.
His father, a boatman, also served as an imam at 
their local mosque, and his two best friends were from 
two different religions - one was a Hindu and the other 
was a Christian. Pakshi Lakshmana Shastrigal was 
the head priest of the famous Rameswara temple and 
a Vedic scholar, and the Reverend Father Bodal had 
built the first church on Rameswara Island. Dr Kalam 
recalled how ‘All three of them, in the unique attire of 
their religion, used to sit and discuss the community’s 
problems and find solutions. Throughout the nation and 
the world, the need to have a frank dialogue among 
cultures, religions and civilizations is felt now more 
than ever.’
When asked where he got his humility from Dr 
Kalam would always attribute it to his father. In him, 
he saw how simplicity and divinity could go together. 
Even though his father was a boatman and Dr Kalam 
went on to become the President of India, they shared 
the same values in life. Both believed that if one leads 
a spiritual life then that spirituality can lift them out 
of any kind of confusion misery or failure.
l perspective : view,
particular attitude
towards something
l curbs : controls,
keeps something
within limit
u Why do science and
faith have to go hand
in hand ?
90
91
Part II
In the 1960, when Dr Kalam joined ISRO, it was 
just a fledgling organization. His interactions with 
the great scientist Professor Vikram Sarabhai and the 
Reverend Peter Bernard Pereira, shaped his thoughts 
on religion. It was here that he learnt about the true 
meanning of religious service. Professor Sarabhai and 
his team had selected a site in Thumba, Kerala, to set 
up their space research facility. It was an ideal site 
due to its proximity to the magnetic equator. But there 
was a major roadblock in getting possession of the site 
as it was the fishing grounds of Thumba’s fishermen. 
Moreover, it had an old church of St Mary Magdalene, 
a bishop’s house and a school, which was under the 
administration of the church. Government officials 
predicted that it would be impossible to relocate so 
many people from the site and destroy religious 
institutions for the sake of a space research centre.
But upon Dr Sarabhai’s persistence, it was suggested 
that they approach the only person who could help 
them in this situation - Father Pereira, the then bishop 
of the region.
Dr Sarabhai and Dr Kalam approached Father 
Pereira on a Saturday evening. The Reverend said, 
‘Oh Vikram, you are asking me for my children’s 
abode, for my abode, and for God’s abode. How is 
it possible?’ Father Pereira then invited the party to 
visit the church on a Sunday morning. Dr Sarabhai, his 
team, and the forever - inquisitive disciple, Dr Kalam, 
took up the offer.
At church the next Sunday, the Reverend invited 
Dr Sarabhai up to the dais after the prayer service. 
Turning to everyone present, he said, ‘Dear children, 
here is a scientist, Dr Vikram Sarabhai. What does 
science do for us ? We benefit from the devices that 
science has developed to light up our homes. I am able 
to talk to you using this mic, thanks to technological 
advancement. Medical science allows doctors to diagnose 
and treat patients. Science and technology enhance the 
overall comfort and quality of human life. And what do 
I do as a preacher ? I pray for you, for your well-being, 
and for your peace. In short, Vikram and I are doing 
the same job. Both science and spirituality seek the 
Almighty’s blessings for the prosperity of the human 
l fledgling : new and
inexperienced
u What shaped
Dr Kalam’s thoughts
on religion ?
u Why was the site in
Thumba selected for
building the space
research centre ?
u What was the major
obstacle in getting
possession of the
site ?
u Who helped to solve
the problem of
acquiring the site?
l mic : microphone,
mike
mind and body.
‘Dear children, Dr Vikram says that, within a year, 
he wants to build scientific facilities near the sea coast, 
replacing all the settlements that now stand there. Now, 
can you give up your abode ? Can I give up my abode ? 
Can we give up God’s abode for such a great scientific 
mission ?’ Dr Kalam recalled how he witnessed ‘a pin-
drop silence for a long moment’. Then everyone got up, 
and the whole church reverberated with the deafening 
noise of a collective ‘amen’.
And so work on the research centre was soon under 
way. But not without alternate accomodation being 
offered to the affected fishermen, the church and the 
Reverend Pereira.
Part III
A few years later, in the early 1980s, Professor 
Satish Dhawan, the Director of ISRO, under whom Dr 
Kalam had made his first unsuccessful launch in 1970 
and then a successful one in 1980, had provided him 
with more soul - shaping wisdom.
One day in 2012, we were discussing the number of 
Ph.Ds Dr Kalam had received. He said to me, ‘Srijan, 
Professor Dhawan had so many master’s degrees - all 
from the best institutions, no less - so I asked him 
how one can become so academically accomplished. 
He responded saying that academic brilliance is no 
different from the brilliance of a mirror, which can be 
diminished by a coating of dust. Only when the dust 
is removed, does the mirror shine and the reflection 
becomes clear. We can remove the impurities obscuring 
our souls by living pure and ethical lives, and by 
serving humanity. And then God will shine through 
us.’ These words took me back to my meeting with 
Dr Kalam after my graduation from IIMA, in 2009. At 
the time, he had advised me to use my degree and gold 
medal to transform the society I lived in. Back in the 
present moment, it suddenly struck me that Dr Kalam’s 
advice had, in fact, directly resonated from Professor 
Dhawan’s beliefs. The more I lived and worked with 
Dr Kalam, the more I realized that through his words 
of wisdom I was getting to learn from countless great 
minds. 
In April 2009, Dr Kalam was invited to attend 
u How did the people
respond to the
appeal made by Rev.
Pereria ? Would you
have given the same
response ?
u How can we lead a
pure life?
l obscuring : making
unclear
l reverberated :
echoed loudly
l resonated : echoed,
resounded
u Whose philosophy
actually had an
impact on the writer ?
u What advice did
Dr Kalam give the
narrator after his
graduation ? 
92
the 102
nd
 birthday celebrations of His Holiness Dr Sri 
Sri Shivakumara Mahaswamiji in the Tumkur district 
of Karnataka. Mahaswamiji is a remarkable person, 
who has dedicated his life to the service of humanity. 
His greatest contribution is the establishment of a 
free residential education system for more than nine 
thousand children in the ashram. The most astonishing 
aspect of the entire event of his birthday was that the 
102 year old Swamiji stood on his feet without any 
support ! He looked as steady and alert as any other 
youngster present there. This display of inner strength 
touched Dr Kalam deeply.
A couple of days later, we were discussing this 
unusual birthday party. I said to him, ‘Sir, do you 
know, only four out of 1 lakh people cross the age of 
100 ?’ I had googled the subject beforehand. He replied, 
‘But how many of these four would be able to stand 
tall for half an hour, give a wise discourse, and then 
go on to feed thousands of children ?’ Of course nobody 
could know the exact answer to his question but the 
question itself led to many other relevant queries. ‘I 
wonder what powers Mahaswamiji possesses that keep 
him so strong at such an advanced age ? Maybe it’s 
a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle, or perhaps it’s 
genetics ?’ I asked.
Dr Kalam sat contemplating deeply.
He recollected the tenet of goodness of action 
from Pramukh Swamiji. Then, perhaps swimming in 
silence to the shores of Mahapragyaji, he gathered the 
sands of conscience to be our guide, our best friend. 
Deeper down in the space-time of memory, he must 
have heard Professor Brahma Prakash’s words about 
the need of living a pure and ethical life, and Father 
Pereira’s and Dr Sarabhai’s lesson of selflessness in 
service. Eventually his thoughts would have settled on 
Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh, in whom he saw great 
tranquility, and finally they must have come full circle 
with the memory of the life of simplicity of his father, 
who always espoused the value of giving back.
At long last, he spoke. ‘It is the very spirit of 
What Can I Give.’ He elaborated, ‘Mahaswamiji lives 
with the beliefs and ethos of our mission. He gives and 
gives - education to famished minds, food to famished 
bodies. In giving so much, he becomes strong. His 
u??? ? What was 
Mahaswamiji’s 
tremendous 
contribution ?
u??? ? What was unique 
about Mahaswamiji ?
u??? ? What was the secret 
of Mahaswamiji’s 
fitness even at the 
age of 102 years ?
l ?discourse : a formal 
talk including a 
debate. 
l ?queries : questions
l ?tenet : a principle 
or belief 
l ?espoused : gave 
support to
l ?ethos : characteristic 
spirit of a culture or 
era
l ?tranquility : peace, 
calmness
Guess the meaning 
of : 
 genetics  
93
munificence fuels his strength. That is what keeps him 
standing tall and active in life. The essence of a happy 
life and a peaceful society lies in one sentence - What 
can I give?’
‘Turning to me, he asked, ‘What is the reverse of   
“What can I give ?”
Circumspectly I replied, ‘What can I...take ?’
‘Yes,’ he said, ‘and that is the thought which is 
responsible for all the wrong we see around us. We 
think that we can take from the environment and 
destroy it indiscriminately; we think of what we can 
take from other humans, leading us to corruption 
and inequity. This attitude of taking and taking even 
destroys families. To keep this planet liveable and the 
human race thriving, we have to replace this attitude 
of ‘what can I take’ with the goodness of ‘what can 
I give’.
The gravity of the message struck me. This 
challenge became my silent motivation.
Three years later, in 2012, this idea became a reality 
as our What Can I Give movement, through which 
Dr Kalam tried to combat corruption, environmental 
degradation and social evils.
It is important that we ask ourselves this question 
for in the answer lies the truth of humanity. So go 
ahead and question yourself.
What can I give ?
The answers will be astounding. 
u???? What makes society 
corrupt and unfair ?
u??? Which question 
inspires 
humanitarianism?
l ?munificence : 
generosity
l ?circumspectly : 
cautiously
l ?inequity : injustice
l ?astounding : amazing, 
surprisingly impressive - Adapted from the ‘What Can I Give’ by Srijan Pal Singh
    ENGLISH WORKSHOP       
1. (A) Read ‘Part I’ and match the words in Column ‘A’ with associating words given in  
    Column ‘B’.
No ‘A’ ‘B’
(i) Science and faith (a) Created by fact and faith
(ii) Science (b) Success of societies
(iii) Better Planet (c) Betterment of humanity
(iv) Creations and 
Discoveries
(d) Believers of science and religions
(v) Conflict (e) Solves questions, discovers truth, conceives 
inventions 
 (i)  (ii)  (iii)  (iv)  (v) 
94
Read More
20 videos|18 tests
Related Searches

Semester Notes

,

MCQs

,

Objective type Questions

,

pdf

,

Textbook: Science and Spirituality | English Kumarbharati Class 10 (Maharashtra SSC Board)

,

shortcuts and tricks

,

Textbook: Science and Spirituality | English Kumarbharati Class 10 (Maharashtra SSC Board)

,

mock tests for examination

,

Textbook: Science and Spirituality | English Kumarbharati Class 10 (Maharashtra SSC Board)

,

Important questions

,

ppt

,

past year papers

,

Viva Questions

,

Exam

,

video lectures

,

Sample Paper

,

Previous Year Questions with Solutions

,

Extra Questions

,

practice quizzes

,

study material

,

Summary

,

Free

;