Introduction:- My Childhood | English Literature for Grade 9 PDF Download

INTRODUCTION

Prof A.P.J.Abdul Kalam is the former President of India. This chapter has been taken from his autobiography, ‘wings of Fire’.  He is one of the world’s greatest scientists. In this chapter, he tells u about his childhood. He talks about his parents, his childhood friends and his experiences at school. He grew up in a traditional society. People of different religions lived in that society. But in spite of different religions, people lived in peace and harmony. He was greatly influenced by his father who taught him honesty and self-discipline.

Introduction (2):

“My Childhood” is an extract from A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s autobiography ‘Wings of Fire’. It describes the childhood days of Kalam in a very simple but vivid manner. Kalam talks about the people, the incidents and the experiences that he had during his childhood which shaped his adult life. Written in a very humble and a modest manner, the extract is very inspirational.

THEME

The theme of “My Childhood” is that our life is shaped by our experiences and the people around us. Kalam’s secure childhood, inspiring parents, supportive friends and honest teachers instilled great values in him that gave him ‘wings of fire’.

TITLE

Abdul Kalam talks about his childhood days in this autobiographical account. In particular, he talks about some incidents that left an indelible impression on his young mind. He describes his family, his house, his childhood experiences and his childhood friends. Therefore the title “My Childhood” is very apt.

WORD-MEANINGS

Middle-class = neither poor nor very rich, मध्य वर्ग ; island = a piece of land surrounded by water, द्वीप ; erstwhile = former, पहले का ,भूतपूर्व ; formal = customary, औपचारिक ; despite= in spite of, के बावजूद ; disadvantages = shortcomings, कमियाँ ; Innate = inner, आंतरिक ; wisdom= the property of being wise, बुद्दिमत्ता ;  generosity = kindness, दयालुता  ; ideal = model, आदर्श ; helpmate = helper, सहायक ; recall=remember, याद करना ; Exact = right, सही ; undistinguished =ordinary,साधारण ; handsome = good looking, सुंदर ; ancestral = inherited from forefathers,पुश्तैनी; limestone = white powder stone,चूना ;austere = without show, सादा ; inessential =unnecessary, अनावश्यक ; luxuries = items of excessive comfort,ऐश्वर्य के साधन; secure = safe, सुरक्षित ; materially =economically,आर्थिक रूप से ; emotionally = from the point of view of emotions, भावनात्मक रूप से ; Broke out = started, आरंभ हो गया ; tamarind = tamarind,इमली ; erupted = came at once, एकदम आरंभ हो गया ; provision shop = groceries shop,किराने की दुकान ; fetch = bring, लाना ; princely = royal,शाही ; anna – about six paise, आना , लगभग छह पैसे ; attempt = try, प्रयत्न करना ; trace = search, खोज ; isolated = aloof, अलग ; unaffected = not influenced, प्रभावित न होना ; forced = compelled, मजबूर किया ;allied forces = combined army, सुयंक्त सेना ; emergency = state of crisis, आपात स्थिति ; declared = announced, घोषणा की ; casualty = disaster, आघात ; suspension = temporary stoppag, स्थगित करना ; halt = stop,रूकना ; slot = place, स्थान ; wages = earnings, कमाई ; surge = wave, लहर ; inherited = got from parents, पूर्वजो से प्राप्त ; characteristics = qualities, गुण ; specific = particular,विशेष ; environment = surroundings, वातावरण ; self-discipline = self-restraint, आत्म –अनुशासन ; faith = belief, विश्वास; close = intimate, घनिष्ठ ; orthodox = traditional, परंपरागत ; upbringing = breeding, पालन –पोषण ; priest = head of a temple, पुजारी ; took over = took control, नियंत्रण लिया
Pilgrim = one who goes to a religious place, तीर्थयात्री ; catering = supplying of provisions, खाने पीने का सामान पहुँचाना ; contractor = one who works on a contract, ठेकेदार ; ceremony = function,उत्सव ; idols = images, मूर्तियाँ ; site = place, स्थान ; situated = located, स्थित ; events = incidents,घटनाए ँ;prophet =- messiah, मसीह ा; marked = showed, दिखाय ा; row = line, पंक्ति  Sacred thread = holy yarn worn around the neck, जनेऊ ; stomach (verb) = tolerate,सहन करना ; ranking = position, स्थान  ; downcast = disappointed, निराश ; utterly = completely, पूरी तरह से ;shifted = went,गया ; image = picture, तस्वीर ,मूर्ति ; lasting = permanent, स्थायी ; respective = own, अपना – अपना ; summoned =called, बुलाया ; communal = sectarian, साम्प्रदायिक ; intolerance = not tolerating, असहनशील ; bluntly = frankly, स्पष्टतया ; apologize =ask forgiveness,माफ़ी माँगना ; quit = leave,छोड़ना ;regret = feel sorry, अफ़सोस होना ; behaviour = conduct, ; conviction = faith, विश्वास ; ultimately = in the end, ; reformed = improved, सुधारा; conveyed = expressed,व्यक्त किया I
Rigid = stern, कठोर ; segregation = separation, अलगाव ; conservative = traditional,परंपरागत ; rebel = revolutionary, क्रांतिकारी ; barriers = obstacles, रुकावटें ; varying = different, ; mingle = mix, मिलना ; on par  = equal, के बराबर ; horrified = frightened, भयभीत ; ritually = religiously, रस्मों के या धर्मं के अनुसार ; refused = denied, इंकार कर दिया ; perturbed = disturbed, निराश किया ; Beside = by the side of, के साथ ; observed = saw, देखा ; hesitation = feeling of uncertainty, झिझक ; upset = disturbed, परेशान ; confronted = faced, सामना किया ; imminent = going to happen, घटित होने वाला ; unprecedented = as never before, अभूतपूर्व ; optimism = hopefulness, आशावाद ; Seagull = a seabird, एक समुद्री पक्ष ी; quoted = spoke the words of, उद्दत किय ा; longing = desire, इच्छा !