Class 9 English Chapter 6 Question Answers - My Childhood

Q1. How did Abdul Kalam earn his ‘first wages’? How did he feel at that time?

APJ Abdul Kalam

Ans: Abdul Kalam earned his first wages by helping his cousin, Samsuddin, who distributed newspapers in Rameswaram. When the Second World War began in 1939, train services were disrupted, and newspapers were thrown from moving trains. Samsuddin needed assistance to collect these bundles, so he employed young Abdul Kalam. This experience was significant for him, as he felt a deep sense of joy and pride in earning money for the first time. Even many years later, he vividly recalled the satisfaction that came with this achievement.

Q2. “Once you decide to change the system, such problems have to be confronted.” What ‘system’ is this sentence referring to? What are 'such problems’? Does the text suggest that the problems have been tackled?

Kalam's family used to arrange boats for carrying idols of the lord. 

Ans: The sentence refers to the rigid caste system and religious segregation in India, particularly in smaller towns like Rameswaram. The 'system' signifies the entrenched societal divide based on caste and religion, which restricted interactions among different social groups. 'Such problems' encompass the prejudices, discrimination, and inequalities faced by individuals. An example is the incident where a new teacher at Abdul Kalam's school separated him from his Hindu friend due to their differing religions.

While some individuals, like Kalam's science teacher, Sivasubramania Iyer, actively worked to bridge these divides by inviting him to his home for a meal, others remained entrenched in discriminatory practices. The text illustrates that although some individuals fought against these barriers, such problems continue to persist today. 

Q3. What does Abdul Kalam say about his parents in the lesson ‘My Childhood’?

Ans: Abdul Kalam spoke highly of his parents, expressing great respect and admiration for them. Born into a middle-class family in Rameswaram, his father, Jainulabdeen, despite lacking formal education and wealth, had immense wisdom and a strong moral compass. He was a generous and self-disciplined man who lived simply, qualities that greatly influenced Kalam.

His mother, Ashiamma, was equally kind-hearted and always ready to help others. Many outsiders were welcomed into their home daily, often outnumbering the family members at mealtimes. Kalam credited his values of honesty, discipline, faith, and kindness to the upbringing provided by his parents. His father's focus on self-reliance and his mother's compassion profoundly shaped his character and outlook on life.

Q4. How does Abdul Kalam describe his three close friends?

Ans: Abdul Kalam fondly recalled his three close friends from childhood: Ramanadha Sastry, Aravindan, and Sivaprakasan. All three boys came from orthodox Hindu Brahmin families, yet their religious backgrounds never hindered their friendship. Ramanadha Sastry was the son of the high priest of the Rameswaram temple and later succeeded his father in the priesthood. Aravindan entered the business of arranging transport for pilgrims visiting Rameswaram, while Sivaprakasan became a catering contractor for the Southern Railways.

Despite their different religions, the boys shared a strong bond and did not let social or religious barriers affect their relationship. Their parents were also open-minded and supported this unity. For instance, Ramanadha’s father once reprimanded a new teacher for attempting to impose social inequality by separating the boys based on their religion.

Q5. In this chapter, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam describes two of his teachers. What is the difference in the outlooks of these two teachers?

Ans: Abdul Kalam describes two teachers from his school days who had very different views. The first teacher, new to the class, showed a narrow-minded and discriminatory attitude. When he saw Abdul Kalam, a Muslim boy, sitting with his Brahmin friend, Ramanadha Sastry, he could not accept it. He sent Kalam to the back row, believing that children of different religions should be separated due to the social hierarchy of that time. 

In contrast, Abdul Kalam's science teacher, Sivasubramania Iyer, had a more progressive outlook. He believed in breaking down social barriers and treating everyone equally, regardless of their caste or religion. Iyer invited Abdul Kalam to his home for a meal. Even when his wife refused to serve Kalam, Iyer personally served him. He later persuaded his wife to change her attitude, and she eventually served Kalam in her kitchen. 

Kalam used to sit in the first rowQ6. Describe the incident at Kalam’s school days when a new teacher shifted him to the back row. What followed this incident?

Ans: When Abdul Kalam was in the fifth standard at Rameswaram Elementary School, a new teacher joined the class. Kalam, who wore a cap identifying him as a Muslim, always sat in the front row next to his close friend Ramanadha Sastry, the son of the high priest of the Rameswaram temple. The new teacher could not accept a Muslim boy sitting beside a Brahmin boy and ordered Kalam to move to the back row, reflecting his belief in social hierarchy.

This incident deeply saddened both Kalam and Ramanadha, with tears in Ramanadha's eyes. They shared their experience with their parents. Ramanadha's father, Lakshmana Sastry, confronted the teacher, condemning him for promoting communal intolerance and social inequality among innocent children. He demanded that the teacher either apologise or leave the school. This incident left a lasting impact on both boys, highlighting the importance of friendship and the fight against social injustice.

Q7. Kalam says, On the whole, the small society of Rameswaram was very rigid in terms of segregation of different social groups. Were they aware of their differences only, or did they also naturally share friendships and experiences?

Iyer's wife took Kalam inside and serve him food

Ans: Although the society of Rameswaram was rigid in terms of social segregation, it did not stop friendships and shared experiences among individuals from different backgrounds. Kalam's family, despite being Muslim, fostered a sense of unity and religious tolerance. For example, his mother and grandmother often shared bedtime stories from both the life of the Prophet and the Ramayana. Kalam's three closest friends, who were orthodox Hindu Brahmins, maintained their bond despite their religious differences. Additionally, Kalam's family participated in religious ceremonies, such as the annual Shri Sita Rama Kalyanam, where they arranged boats with special platforms to carry the idols of Lord Rama and Sita. These actions show that, despite the strict social structure, there were individuals who nurtured friendships and shared experiences across religious lines.

Q8. The author speaks both of people who were very aware of the differences among them and those who tried to bridge these differences. Which incidents help us to identify such people in the text?

Ans: The incident when Kalam's new teacher moved him from the front row, where he sat with the Hindu priest's son, Ramanadha Sastry, to the last row highlights a person who was intolerant to differences. Another example is when Sivasubramania Iyer's wife refused to serve food to Kalam, a Muslim boy, in her ritually pure kitchen, further demonstrating intolerance. In contrast, Lakshmana Sastry, an orthodox Brahmin priest, reprimanded the new teacher for promoting social inequality and communal intolerance, showing his effort to bridge differences. Additionally, Sivasubramania Iyer, despite being an orthodox Brahmin, set an example by serving food to Kalam and sitting beside him during the meal, illustrating another instance of someone trying to bridge these divides.

Q9. Who was Sivasubramania Iyer? What sort of relationship did Kalam’ share with him?

Ans: Sivasubramania Iyer was a significant figure in Kalam's life, serving as his science teacher. He aimed to dismantle social barriers, promoting harmony among people from diverse backgrounds. Iyer was determined to challenge the status quo, fully aware of the difficulties he might face.

He held a deep affection for Kalam, often guiding and encouraging him to reach the educational standards of those in larger cities. On one occasion, Iyer invited Kalam to his home for a meal. However, his conservative wife was uncomfortable with the idea of serving a Muslim boy in her ritually pure kitchen. In response, Iyer took it upon himself to serve Kalam and even joined him for the meal. The relationship between Sivasubramania Iyer and Kalam was one of strong mutual respect and affection, nurtured by Iyer's commitment to his students and his vision for a more inclusive society.

Q10. Teachers can either ‘make’ or ‘break’ their students’ lives. Cite two incidents from “My Childhood” to prove the truth of this statement.

Ans: Abdul Kalam's life was significantly shaped by experiences during his school days. One notable incident involved his teacher, Sivasubramania Iyer, who encouraged him to think critically. Despite the rigid social structure of Rameswaram, Iyer invited Kalam to his home for a meal, demonstrating a commitment to breaking social barriers. This act of inclusion had a profound impact on Kalam, showing him the importance of friendship beyond societal divides.

Another pivotal moment occurred when Iyer took the class to the shore to observe sea birds in flight. This hands-on lesson ignited Kalam's curiosity and passion for learning, illustrating how a teacher's support can inspire students. These experiences highlight how teachers can profoundly influence their students' lives, either positively or negatively.