Get notes, solutions, summary, textual questions and answers, extras, MCQs, and pdf of the story (prose) ‘Strong Roots’ by A.P.J. Abdul Kalam which is part of (West Bengal Board) WBCHSE Class 12 English syllabus. However, the notes should only be treated for references and changes should be made according to the needs of the students.
Summary
The chapter is an autobiographical account by A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the former President of India, who recounts his early life and upbringing in Rameswaram, a small island town in the erstwhile state of Madras. He was born into a middle-class Tamil family. His father, Jainulabdeen, although lacking in formal education and wealth, was a man of innate wisdom and generosity. His mother, Ashiamma, was a kind-hearted woman known for feeding more outsiders daily than her own family. Abdul Kalam describes his parents as an ideal couple, deeply respected in their community.
He grew up in a 19th-century ancestral home, enjoying both material and emotional security. His family lived in a predominantly Muslim neighborhood, which also had Hindu families, reflecting a sense of religious harmony. Kalam often joined his father for prayers at a local mosque and lived within walking distance of a sacred Shiva temple, reflecting the religious diversity of his upbringing.
Meals at home were simple yet meaningful; he usually ate with his mother, sitting on the kitchen floor with a banana leaf serving as a plate. His father was a respected community figure known for his wisdom. He even had a close friendship with the high priest of the Rameswaram temple, and they often engaged in discussions on spiritual matters. These interactions made a lasting impression on young Kalam.
His father imparted valuable life lessons, emphasizing that prayer was not about ritualistic practices but a way to establish a communion of spirit among people. He taught Kalam that adversity presents opportunities for introspection and growth. He also explained that external rituals were not the correct approach to spiritual fulfillment; rather, one must look within to understand oneself better. His father’s daily routine consisted of early morning prayers, followed by a walk to a coconut grove they owned, reinforcing the values of discipline and humility.
Abdul Kalam mentions that he tried to emulate his father’s wisdom and values throughout his life, particularly in his career in science and technology. He expresses a deep belief in a divine power that can guide one from confusion and misery to one’s true purpose. According to Kalam, once an individual is free from emotional and physical bondage, they are on the road to freedom, happiness, and peace of mind.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and answers
1. Where was the author born?
A. Madras B. Rameswaram C. Shiva temple D. Mosque Street
Answer: B. Rameswaram
2. What was the author’s father’s name?
A. Pakshi Lakshmana Sastry B. Ashiamma C. Jainulabdeen D. Bahadur
Answer: C. Jainulabdeen
3. What was the author’s mother’s name?
A. Jainulabdeen B. Ashiamma C. Pakshi Lakshmana Sastry D. Bahadur
Answer: B. Ashiamma
4. What title was given to one of the author’s ancestors?
A. Jainulabdeen B. Ashiamma C. Pakshi Lakshmana Sastry D. Bahadur
Answer: D. Bahadur
5. Where did the author live?
A. In a small house B. In an ancestral house C. In the Shiva temple D. In the mosque
Answer: B. In an ancestral house
6. What was the ancestral house made of?
A. Wood and thatch B. Limestone and brick C. Cement and concrete D. Granite
Answer: B. Limestone and brick
7. What street was the house located on?
A. Temple Street B. Mosque Street C. Rameswaram Street D. Madras Street
Answer: B. Mosque Street
8. How did the author’s father view luxuries?
A. He enjoyed them B. He avoided them C. He was indifferent to them D. He encouraged them
Answer: B. He avoided them
9. How does the author describe his childhood?
A. Lonely B. Difficult C. Insecure D. Very secure
Answer: D. Very secure
10. Where did the author eat meals?
A. In the kitchen B. In the dining room C. Outside D. In his room
Answer: A. In the kitchen
11. What food did the author’s mother serve him?
A. Rice and sambhar B. Bread and curry C. Rice and curry D. Rice and dal
Answer: A. Rice and sambhar
12. What was located near the author’s house?
A. A church B. A mosque C. A temple D. A gurudwara
Answer: C. A temple
13. What was the temple dedicated to?
A. Shiva B. Vishnu C. Krishna D. Rama
Answer: A. Shiva
14. What was the religious makeup of the locality?
A. All Hindu B. All Muslim C. Mostly Hindu D. Mixed Hindu and Muslim
Answer: D. Mixed Hindu and Muslim
15. How did the different religious groups live?
A. In conflict B. Separately C. In harmony D. Indifferently
Answer: C. In harmony
16. Where did the author’s father take him in the evenings?
A. To the temple B. To the mosque C. To church D. For a walk
Answer: B. To the mosque
17. How well could the author understand the prayers?
A. Completely B. Pretty well C. Not at all D. Partially
Answer: C. Not at all
18. Who waited outside the mosque after prayers?
A. Beggars B. People of different faiths C. Elders D. Children
Answer: B. People of different faiths
19. Why did they wait outside the mosque?
A. To beg from the author’s father B. To see the author’s father C. To offer water and receive blessings D. To chat with the author’s father
Answer: C. To offer water and receive blessings
20. What did the author’s father tell those seeking help?
A. To pray to him B. To pray to Allah C. To make offerings D. To see a doctor
Answer: B. To pray to Allah
21. Who was a close friend of the author’s father?
A. A Muslim priest B. A Hindu priest C. A Christian priest D. A Sikh priest
Answer: B. A Hindu priest
22. What vivid childhood memory does the author recall?
A. Helping his father B. Seeing his parents pray C. His father and the priest chatting D. His father carrying coconuts
Answer: C. His father and the priest chatting
23. When did the author’s father pray?
A. Morning and evening B. Only in the morning C. Only in the evening D. Three times a day
Answer: B. Only in the morning
24. What time did the author’s father wake up?
A. 6 am B. 5 am C. 4 am D. 3 am
Answer: C. 4 am
25. Where did he walk after praying?
A. To the temple B. To the mosque C. To a coconut grove D. To the market
Answer: C. To a coconut grove
26. Why did he go to the coconut grove?
A. For a stroll B. For exercise C. To get coconuts D. To meditate
Answer: C. To get coconuts
27. How many coconuts did he bring back?
A. 5-6 B. 10-12 C. 15-20 D. A dozen
Answer: D. A dozen
28. When did he have breakfast?
A. Before leaving B. On returning C. Mid-morning D. He skipped it
Answer: B. On returning
29. How far was the coconut grove?
A. 1 mile B. 2 miles C. 3 miles D. 4 miles
Answer: D. 4 miles
30. How old was the author’s father when he maintained this routine?
A. 50s B. 60s C. 70s D. 80s
Answer: B. 60s
31. What did the author try to emulate about his father?
A. Waking up early B. Getting coconuts C. Avoiding luxuries D. His spirituality
Answer: D. His spirituality
32. What question did the author ask his father?
A. About nature B. About prayer C. About God D. About science
Answer: B. About prayer
33. How did his father explain prayer?
A. As magic B. As meaningless C. As communion with others D. As wasted time
Answer: C. As communion with others
34. What did his father say prayer transcends?
A. Language B. Wealth C. The body D. Distance
Answer: C. The body
35. When do people look for help according to his father?
A. When happy B. When busy C. When in need D. When with family
Answer: C. When in need
36. What did his father say about destiny and opportunity?
A. They are unrelated B. Destiny determines everything C. Difficulties can provide opportunities D. Destiny cannot be overcome
Answer: C. Difficulties can provide opportunities
37. What did the author ask his father?
A. About destiny B. About prayer C. Why he did not share his wisdom more D. About God
Answer: C. Why he did not share his wisdom more
38. How did his father first respond?
A. With impatience B. With anger C. With silence D. With laughter
Answer: C. With silence
39. How did his father finally respond?
A. With complex concepts B. In simple terms C. In philosophical terms D. With cryptic words
Answer: B. In simple terms
40. What can lift one from difficulties according to his father?
A. Friends and family B. Willpower and strength C. Divine power D. Education and knowledge
Answer: C. Divine power
41. What happens when one severs bonds?
A. They suffer B. They struggle C. They are freed D. They get lost
Answer: C. They are freed
42. What did his father say leads to happiness and peace?
A. Detachment B. Fulfillment C. Ambition D. Attachment
Answer: A. Detachment
43. When did his father read the namaz?
A. Noon B. Morning C. Afternoon D. Evening
Answer: B. Morning
44. What time did he read it?
A. 5 am B. 4 am C. 3 am D. 2 am
Answer: B. 4 am
45. How old was his father when he maintained this routine?
A. 50s B. 60s C. 70s D. 80s
Answer: C. 70s
46. In his own words, how does the author describe himself?
A. Tall and muscular B. Short with average looks C. Tall, dark and handsome D. Short with undistinguished looks
Answer: D. Short with undistinguished looks
47. How does he contrast himself with his parents?
A. He was smarter B. He was more educated C. They were taller and more attractive D. He was more hardworking
Answer: C. They were taller and more attractive
48. The author tried to emulate his father in what way?
A. Waking early B. Getting coconuts C. His looks D. His spirituality
Answer: D. His spirituality
49. What was his father’s advise about difficulties and problems?
A. Pray to God B. Blame others C. Try to understand their relevance D. Ignore them
Answer: C. Try to understand their relevance
50. His father’s advice filled him with what?
A. Confidence B. Sadness C. Energy and enthusiasm D. Anger
Answer: C. Energy and enthusiasm
51. What time did the author’s father return from the coconut grove?
A. Dawn B. Morning C. Afternoon D. Evening
Answer: B. Morning
52. How many meals did the author eat with his mother daily?
A. 1 B. 2 C. 3 D. 4
Answer: A. 1
53. What was placed before the author to eat on?
A. Plate B. Banana leaf C. Floor D. Table
Answer: B. Banana leaf
54. What did the author’s mother serve as accompaniments?
A. Lentils and rice B. Bread and pickle C. Pickle and chutney D. Lentils and chutney
Answer: C. Pickle and chutney
55. How far was the Shiva temple from the author’s house?
A. 5 minutes B. 10 minutes C. 15 minutes D. 20 minutes
Answer: B. 10 minutes
56. How did the author’s father avoid luxuries?
A. Did not use them B. Discouraged them C. Was indifferent D. Consumed minimally
Answer: A. Did not use them
57. What drink did the author’s father avoid?
A. Tea B. Coffee C. Milk D. Water
Answer: B. Coffee
58. Who visited the author’s home to offer thanks?
A. Friends B. Relatives C. Healed people D. Neighbors
Answer: C. Healed people
59. What did they thank?
A. The doctor B. Allah C. The author’s father D. Their luck
Answer: B. Allah
60. What did the author’s father ask them to do?
A. Make offerings B. Pay him C. Praise Allah D. Bring gifts
Answer: C. Praise Allah
61. When did guests visit the author’s home?
A. Morning B. Afternoon C. Evening D. Night
Answer: C. Evening
62. What is Rameswaram famous for?
A. Beaches B. Temples C. Mosques D. Churches
Answer: B. Temples
63. Who advised people to see a doctor?
A. The author’s father B. The author’s mother C. The author D. The priest
Answer: A. The author’s father
64. What did the author inherit from his parents?
A. Wealth B. Property C. Education D. Wisdom
Answer: D. Wisdom
65. Where did the author’s father take him daily?
A. School B. Work C. Temple D. Mosque
Answer: D. Mosque
66. What did the author inherit from his mother?
A. Cuisine skills B. Spirituality C. Generosity D. Perseverance
Answer: C. Generosity
67. What title did the author earn?
A. Scientist B. Professor C. Doctor D. Engineer
Answer: D. Engineer
68. What field did the author work in?
A. Biology B. Physics C. Space science D. Chemistry
Answer: C. Space science
69. Where did the author apply his learnings?
A. Medicine B. Agriculture C. Technology D. Philosophy
Answer: C. Technology
70. What was the author’s ultimate goal?
A. Fame B. Fortune C. Knowledge D. Benefit society
Answer: D. Benefit society
Short questions and answers
1. Where was the author born?
Answer: The author was born in the island town of Rameswaram, which was located in the erstwhile Madras state at the time.
2. What was the author’s father’s name?
Answer: The author’s father’s name was Jainulabdeen. He did not have much formal education or wealth, but possessed wisdom and generosity.
3. What was the author’s mother’s name?
Answer: The author’s mother’s name was Ashiamma. She came from a more distinguished lineage, with one ancestor given the title ‘Bahadur’ by the British.
4. What title was given to one of the author’s ancestors?
Answer: The title of ‘Bahadur’ was conferred by the British on one of the author’s mother’s ancestors in recognition of their valor.
5. Where did the author live during his childhood?
Answer: The author lived in his ancestral home in Rameswaram during his childhood. It was a large pucca house made of limestone and brick located on Mosque Street.
6. What materials was the ancestral house made of?
Answer: The ancestral house was constructed in the 19th century using limestone and brick, which are durable materials. This indicated it was a well-built, substantial house.
7. What street was the ancestral house located on?
Answer: The ancestral house was situated on Mosque Street in Rameswaram, close to a famous mosque the author visited regularly.
8. How did the author’s father view luxuries?
Answer: The author notes his father avoided all inessential comforts and luxuries, only providing the family with basic necessities needed for daily living.
9. How does the author describe his childhood?
Answer: The author looks back at his childhood as being very secure, both in material and emotional terms. He felt safe and cared for.
10. Where did the author eat his meals?
Answer: The author ate his daily meals sitting on the floor of the family’s kitchen with his mother. She would serve him food on a banana leaf in the traditional Indian style.
11. What food did the author’s mother serve him?
Answer: His mother would typically serve him white rice, aromatic sambhar lentil stew, homemade pickles, and fresh coconut chutney. This simple, nourishing vegetarian fare provided balanced nutrition.
12. What famous temple was located near the author’s house?
Answer: The author states that the famous Shiva temple of Rameswaram, which was visited by many Hindu pilgrims, was situated just a 10-minute walk from his house.
13. What was the religious makeup of the author’s neighborhood?
Answer: While Rameswaram had people of different faiths, the author’s neighborhood was predominantly Muslim in religious makeup, with a few Hindu families residing there as well.
14. How did people of different faiths live in the author’s area?
Answer: The author notes people of different religions like Muslims, Hindus, and Christians lived harmoniously as neighbors in his locality. There was amity and goodwill between them.
15. Where did the author’s father take him in the evenings?
Answer: In the evenings, the author’s father would take him along to the local mosque for the customary prayers before sunset. This was part of the author’s daily routine and upbringing.
16. Could the author understand the prayers at the mosque?
Answer: No, the author could not understand the Arabic prayer verses being recited at the mosque during his childhood visits, as he did not know the language.
17. Who waited outside the mosque after prayers?
Answer: People of various faiths – Hindus, Muslims, Christians etc. would wait outside the mosque after the prayers to see the author’s father emerge. They came to seek his blessings.
18. Why did people wait outside the mosque after prayers?
Answer: People gathered after the prayers as they sought the author’s father’s blessings. They would offer him bowls of water which he would touch and pray over before they took the water home for their ill family members.
19. What did the author’s father tell people seeking help?
Answer: When people came to him for help and blessings, the author’s father told them to pray to Allah, who he believed to be the benevolent and merciful creator, for assistance with their troubles.
20. Who was a close friend of the author’s father?
Answer: The head priest of the Rameswaram Shiva temple, Pakshi Lakshmana Sastry, was a close friend of the author’s Hindu father, though they followed different faiths. One of his vivid childhood memories was seeing them chat.
21. What is the author’s vivid childhood memory regarding his father?
Answer: The author vividly remembers his Muslim father deep in discussion wearing traditional clothes with the Hindu temple priest in his customary attire. He was struck by the amity between two spiritual men of different religions.
22. When did the author’s father pray daily?
Answer: The author’s father prayed the Muslim dawn prayer known as the namaz every single day. This daily prayer was performed in the morning before sunrise.
23. What time did the author’s father wake up each day?
Answer: The author notes his father woke up very early each morning at 4 AM to perform the dawn namaz prayer ritual before starting his day.
24. Where did the author’s father walk every morning?
Answer: After saying his prayers, the author’s father would walk to their family’s coconut grove located around 4 miles from their home to procure coconuts.
25. Why did the author’s father go to the coconut grove each day?
Answer: He went to the coconut grove they owned each morning to gather around a dozen fresh coconuts which provided nourishment for the family. The coconuts were brought back and used in cooking.
26. How many coconuts did the author’s father bring back from the grove?
Answer: The author mentions his father would bring around twelve coconuts back from their grove every morning, carrying them on his shoulder.
27. When did the author’s father have breakfast?
Answer: The author notes his father never ate breakfast before going to the grove. Only on returning after his long walk would he have his first meal of the day.
28. How far was the coconut grove from their home?
Answer: Their coconut grove was situated around 4 miles away from their house, which was quite a distance. The author’s father walked there and back every day.
29. How old was the author’s father when he maintained this routine?
Answer: The author mentions how his father maintained his strict disciplinary routine of waking before dawn, walking many miles to the grove, and carrying coconuts even when he was in his late 60s, displaying his work ethic and physical fitness.
30. What did the author try to emulate about his father?
Answer: The author tried to emulate the spiritual outlook, moral principles, discipline, and dedication to hard work displayed by his father throughout his life and career over many decades.
31. What question did the author ask his father about prayer?
Answer: Being from a scientific background, the author asked his father about the real purpose and tangible benefits of ritual prayer which he could not understand as a child.
32. How did his father explain the purpose of prayer?
Answer: His father explained that prayer connects the person with the divine cosmos, bringing about communion between people and allowing the spirit to transcend physical barriers.
33. According to his father, what does prayer help transcend?
Answer: Prayer helps people move beyond bodily limitations and egotism, merging their spirit with fellow humans and the greater universe according to his father.
34. When do people look for help from others, according to his father?
Answer: His father observed that when alone, people naturally seek companionship and when in trouble, they look to others for guidance and moral support since overcoming difficulties alone can be challenging.
35. What did his father say about difficulties and opportunities?
Answer: His father believed going through adversities provides opportunities for self-reflection, to understand life’s lessons, and overcome the enemy within rather than blaming external factors alone for one’s troubles.
36. What question did the author ask his father about sharing wisdom?
Answer: He asked his father why he did not openly share his wisdom more with the masses who came to him for help, instead conveying simple blessings alone to them.
37. How did his father first respond to the author’s question?
Answer: When posed this question, his father first silently contemplated it for some time, staring at the author before he answered, indicating it was an important issue.
38. How did his father finally explain his views to the author?
Answer: After thinking about the author’s question, his father finally explained his perspectives frankly in clear, straightforward Tamil without using complex philosophical terminology, so the young author could understand.
39. What did his father say could lift one out of difficulties?
Answer: The author’s father believed firmly that divine power could uplift people out of any situation of misery, melancholy, confusion or failure that they are facing.
40. What happens when one severs emotional and physical bonds?
Answer: His father taught him that severing attachments helps individuals overcome limitations and attain true freedom and happiness.
41. What leads to freedom and happiness according to his father?
Answer: According to his father, achieving detachment from material ties leads one to real joy, peace of mind, and liberation.
42. When did his father read the namaz?
Answer: As a devout Muslim, the author’s father read the namaz daily in the mornings before sunrise around 4 am.
43. At what time did his father read the namaz?
Answer: He would wake up while it was still dark at around 4 am to read the morning namaz prayer.
44. How does the author describe his own looks?
Answer: The author humbly says he had rather ordinary, undistinguished looks as a child in contrast to his tall, handsome parents.
45. How did the author contrast with his parents in appearance?
Answer: The author describes himself as a short boy with undistinguished looks unlike his parents, who were both tall and handsome in appearance.
46. What did the author try to emulate about his father?
Answer: More than his father’s appearance, the author strove to emulate his strong spiritual principles and moral values throughout his life.
47. What was his father’s advice about difficulties and problems?
Answer: His father advised that in facing troubles and suffering, one should seek to understand their deeper relevance rather than be cowed by them.
48. How did his father’s advice make the author feel?
Answer: The author says his father’s wise advice filled him with a strange energy and enthusiasm, inspiring him deeply as a young boy.
49. What did guests visit the author’s home to do?
Answer: People who had been cured of illnesses would visit their home in the evenings to thank Allah and express gratitude for their recovery.
50. What did Rameswaram become famous for?
Answer: The town of Rameswaram where the author grew up became well-known due to the ancient Shiva temple that drew many Hindu pilgrims from far and wide.
Analytical/descriptive/long questions and answers
1. Describe the location and community where the author grew up.
Answer: The author grew up in the small island town of Rameswaram, located in the state of Madras during the British rule era. It was part of a coastal region and had great religious significance as a pilgrimage site for Hindus. His neighborhood community was predominantly Muslim in faith, with a few Hindu families also peacefully co-existing there displaying India’s ethnic and religious diversity.
2. Portray the author’s relationship with his parents and their traits that influenced him.
Answer: The author had deep admiration, respect and affection for his parents, especially his father Jainulabdeen who was uneducated yet possessed great wisdom, spirituality and generosity which left a profound impact on him. His mother Ashiamma came from a more privileged background and also nurtured him. He imbibed their strong values, simplicity of lifestyle, empathy for others, and tolerance towards different faiths. This shaped his worldview.
3. Depict the ancestral house where the author spent his childhood years.
Answer: The large multi-storied ancestral house where the author spent his early years was located on Mosque Street in Rameswaram. It was constructed in the 19th century using limestone and brick which gave it a solid, permanent character. The house had a simple, unembellished aesthetic just like his father, rather than lavish comforts which were avoided. Living in this home gave the author a sense of security, community and history.
4. Illustrate the religious diversity in the neighborhood where the author lived.
Answer: The author provides a miniature glimpse of India’s rich religious pluralism through his neighborhood. While predominantly occupied by Muslim families owing to the proximity of a famous mosque, the area also had a few Hindu households reflecting the diversity of faiths. People from all religions lived together amiably with no divisions. For instance, his Muslim father had a close friendship with the Hindu temple priest showcasing communal harmony.
5. Characterize the harmony between people of different faiths in the author’s locality.
Answer: The author gives vivid examples of inter-faith harmony in his locality. Muslim, Hindu and even Christian families resided as close-knit neighbors with great goodwill and friendship between them in everyday life rather than conflict. They participated in each other’s religious festivals and social occasions, demonstrating the cohesive, tolerant nature of the Rameswaram community. This left a significant imprint on the young author’s mind.
6. Describe the mosque the author visited and the rituals he observed there.
Answer: Located close to the author’s house was an ancient mosque which he visited daily with his father in the evenings. As his father offered the customary ‘namaz’ prayers, he saw the rituals like bowing, kneeling and prostrating as well as the chanting of verses in Arabic which he could not decipher as a young child. This exposure to communal worship made him see the universality of faith.
7. Depict the scene outside the mosque after evening prayers.
Answer: After the evening prayers ended at the mosque, crowds including Hindus and sometimes Christians waited patiently to see the author’s respected father emerge. With reverence, they offered him bowls of water which he touched and blessed before they took it home. This illustrates his father’s esteem locally as a wise spiritual man beyond just the Muslim community.
8. Describe the author’s father’s unique friendship with the Hindu temple priest.
Answer: One of the author’s most vivid childhood memories was witnessing his Muslim father dressing in traditional attire and immersed in friendly conversation with the head Hindu priest of the Shiva temple in Rameswaram. This highlighted the cultural and religious harmony promoted by the two spiritual leaders locally which the young author never forgot.
9. Portray the author’s father’s spiritual personality and principles.
Answer: The author’s father was first and foremost a deeply spiritual man who prayed at dawn, fasted, avoided materialism, generously helped the needy and believed firmly in the underlying unity of all human beings and faiths. He emphasized finding God within oneself through self-reflection, rising above divisions. He exemplified communal harmony in practice through his friendship with the temple priest.
10. Describe the author’s father’s daily routine and discipline.
Answer: Waking before dawn at 4 am, the author’s father demonstrated exemplary self-discipline and religious dedication each day. After namaz prayers, he walked several miles to fetch coconuts for his family’s sustenance. Only on returning would he have a sparse breakfast. In the evenings, he performed namaz at the mosque. He maintained this spartan, rigorous routine even in his late 60s, showcasing his work ethic and simple lifestyle.
11. Illustrate the author’s mother preparing his meals in the kitchen.
Answer: The author nostalgically recounts eating freshly cooked homemade meals along with his mother in their kitchen. She would serve him white rice and aromatic sambhar lentils on a traditional banana leaf along with spicy pickle and chutney, demonstrating her love through nourishing food. Their kitchen rituals highlight family bonds.
12. Depict the author’s conversations with his father about faith and wisdom.
Answer: From a young age, the curious author questioned his father on philosophical and spiritual matters. His father patiently answered by relating enlightening tales and his own perspectives on the meaning of prayer, superstitions, destiny, and overcoming adversity through introspection. Their dialogues helped shape the author’s progressive worldview.
13. Describe how the author’s father guided and inspired ordinary people who came to him.
Answer: Impoverished, distressed people in the community often approached the author’s father hoping for emotional solace, blessings and wisdom. Despite his own simple lifestyle, he generously gave them his time, empathy and advice to spiritually strengthen themselves through prayer rather than rely on superstitions. His compassion left a mark on the author.
14. Portray the author’s father imparting life lessons through childhood incidents.
Answer: The author’s anecdotes from his Rameswaram childhood highlight how his father subtly turned daily experiences into profound teaching moments. Be it answering his query about prayer’s relevance or explaining how adversities can provide opportunities, his father molded his thinking through practical situations rather than just sermons.
15. Characterize how the author contrasts his ordinary looks with his parents’ appearance.
Answer: In his humility, the author admits he was an ordinary looking child unlike his parents who were both tall and handsome. However, he gained something far more important from them – their exemplary values, generosity and wisdom which shaped his character, rather than just physical attributes.
16. Depict the author integrating his father’s values into his own life.
Answer: Inspired by his father’s simple lifestyle, humility, devotion to faith, communal service and discipline, the author imbibed these qualities to guide his own life journey. He emulated similar principles in his distinguished career creating immense benefit for society through technology, rather than pursuing fame or fortune.
17. Describe the healed people who visited the author’s home to express gratitude.
Answer: The author notes how some evenings people cured of illnesses visited their home. Rather than thank his father, they thanked Allah for the mercy shown, expressing spirituality and communal bonds. This left an impression on the young boy.
18. Portray the prominence of the temple that made Rameswaram famous.
Answer: The author provides glimpses of the spectacular Shiva temple located near his hometown which attracted multitudes of Hindu pilgrims from across India owing to its history, architecture and religious significance. This famous sacred site put Rameswaram on the map and contributed to its multicultural flavor.
19. Characterize the author’s secure and nurturing childhood atmosphere.
Answer: Through vivid nostalgic imagery, the author depicts his early years as being secure and nurturing surrounded by his family. He received abundant love, moral guidance and intellectual stimulation from his parents who provided him both material comfort as well as emotional support and life lessons that enabled him to grow into an accomplished individual.
20. Illustrate the author’s early experiences and influences that shaped his thinking.
Answer: The communal harmony, acts of wisdom, spirituality amid simplicity, and parental life lessons the author witnessed growing up in Rameswaram left a deep imprint on his mind. The memories of people across faiths living in amity, his father’s friendship with the Hindu priest, and his parents’ high morals and ethics contributed to shaping his inclusive, progressive worldview and achievements.
21. The author provides a nostalgic and vivid description of his childhood and upbringing. Discuss the key events and experiences that shaped his early life and worldview.
Answer: Through nostalgic imagery, the author depicts his secure, nurturing upbringing in the multi-faith town of Rameswaram. Influential was his father’s spiritual personality and principles like rising above materialism, helping others, and embracing all religions. The communal harmony and his father’s friendship with a Hindu priest highlighted pluralism. Conversations with his father on faith shaped his views. Daily rituals like prayers at the mosque and his mother’s meals provided lessons. These experiences molded his inclusive worldview.
22. “My father possessed great innate wisdom and a true generosity of spirit.” Discuss the personality and attributes of the author’s father that are highlighted. What influence did he have on the author?
Answer: The author highlights his uneducated father’s wisdom, spirituality, kindness, charity, work ethic and progressive thinking. He avoided luxuries, prayed at dawn, worked hard collecting coconuts and helped the needy. His friendship with a Hindu priest demonstrated interfaith harmony. Through conversations, he imparted life lessons to the author. This molded the author’s values and worldview based on secularism, simplicity and empathy.
23. The author states his neighborhood was predominantly Muslim but had Hindu families too who lived amicably together. Analyze the religious diversity and communal harmony depicted in his locality.
Answer: The author emphasizes the peaceful co-existence between Muslim and Hindu families in his neighborhood, presenting a microcosm of pluralistic India. People participated in each other’s festivals and lived as friends rather than as per religious divides. His father’s friendship with a Hindu priest exemplified this communal amity. This atmosphere of tolerance and diversity left an imprint on the author’s views.
24. The author’s father maintained a simple lifestyle and avoided luxuries and comforts. What does this reveal about his attitudes and principles? How did it impact the author?
Answer: The father’s spartan lifestyle without materialism reveals his spirituality, work ethics and principles prioritizing necessities over comforts. Waking before dawn for prayers and walking miles to collect coconuts displayed his self-discipline. This demonstrated idealism and shaped the author’s own simplicity in lifestyle. He emulated similar values professionally, pursuing societal benefit over fortune.
25. Examine the spiritual themes and dimensions explored through the friendship between the author’s Muslim father and the Hindu temple priest.
Answer: The father’s close bond with the Hindu priest reflected the spiritual theme of shared humanity and harmony transcending religious differences. Their conversations and friendship highlighted the underlying unity of faiths. This influenced the author’s view of religion bringing people together rather than dividing, shaping his inclusive worldview.
26. Discuss the routine discipline displayed by the author’s father – his predawn prayers, collecting coconuts, and sparse breakfast. What does this convey about his personality?
Answer: The father’s strict discipline of waking before dawn for prayers, walking miles to collect coconuts, and having a plain breakfast displayed his devotion, self-control, work ethic and ability to endure hardship without complaints. This reflected his spiritual personality that valued purpose over comfort. The author imbibed these qualities of hard work and temperance.
27. “Prayer transcends the body and enables communion with the cosmos” according to the author’s father. Analyze this statement and the father’s views on prayer.
Answer: This quote shows the father’s progressive spiritual belief that ritual prayer allows one’s soul to merge with the divine universe, transcending physical limitations. Rather than empty rituals, he saw prayer as enabling human communion. This reflects his uplifted understanding of faith as universal links rather than specific practices.
28. The people gathered outside the mosque to seek the author’s father’s blessings. Discuss why he was respected, and his guidance to them.
Answer: People respected the father for his wisdom and generosity, seeking his blessings which they believed had a divine touch. He guided them to pray to the benevolent Allah rather than rely on superstitions, providing solace. This showed his nature as a selfless spiritual mentor who comforted others. The author imbibed this empathy.
29. Explore the author’s questioning of his father about prayer. Why was he initially skeptical about it? How did his father convince him?
Answer: Being scientifically minded, the author was initially doubtful about prayer’s relevance. His father explained prayer spiritually bonds people, rather than being a ritual. Through wisdom and examples, he satisfied the author’s curiosity, conveying prayer’s deeper meaning of unity with the divine. This shaped the author’s reconciliatory outlook towards religion.
30. “Adversity always presents opportunities for introspection” – examine this quote from the author’s father about finding meaning in difficulties.
Answer: This quote shows the father’s reflective philosophy that struggles can provide opportunities for looking within oneself to find meaning, overcome weaknesses and progress. Rather than seeing adversity as punishment, he viewed it positively as a tool for self-development, which shaped the author’s perspective too.
31. Discuss the relationship between the author and his father, the questions he asked, and the life lessons he gained.
Answer: Through childhood questions, the author and his father shared an affectionate, mentoring bond. His father patiently explained concepts like the purpose of prayer and discipline. The author gained philosophical, moral lessons from him about spirituality with compassion. This relationship and parental wisdom influenced the author’s character.
32. Analyze the contrast drawn between the author’s ordinary looks and his tall, handsome parents. What quality did he inherit instead from them?
Answer: The author humbly admits his plain features unlike his attractive parents. However, he inherited their exemplary qualities like generosity, wisdom, spirituality and high ethics which shaped his personality rather than physical attributes. This reveals his belief in inner virtues over superficial traits.
33. Explore the author’s admiration for his father – the qualities he emulated and those he tried to imbibe throughout his life and career. Provide relevant examples.
Answer: The author admired his father’s spirituality, humility, discipline, communal service and harmonious thinking. Emulating these values, he pursued a career applying technology to benefit society rather than for selfish interests. Like his father, he honored all faiths and backgrounds in his work, exemplifying the positive qualities imbibed.
34. Discuss the simple yet nourishing vegetarian meals the author’s mother would prepare for him daily. What does this convey about family life and values?
Answer: His mother’s daily meals like rice, lentils and chutney though simple were full of love and nourishment for the author. Eating together displays the family bonds, ethics and priorities favoring emotional closeness over materialism. This nurturing atmosphere shaped the author’s strong value system.
35. The author describes his childhood as ‘very secure, both materially and emotionally’. Substantiate this portrayal of his early life with relevant details.
Answer: The author felt secure in childhood both practically and emotionally. His ancestral home provided comfort and community. His parents gave ample love, food, lessons and empathy, taking care of his needs. The pluralistic environment also gave spiritual and moral security. All this enabled his healthy overall development.
36. ‘In his own time, in his own place…every human being is a specific element within the whole of the manifest divine Being’ – Analyze this profound quote from the passage.
Answer: This highlights a spiritual belief that there is an underlying unity of all creation and humanity is part of the larger divine universe. Rather than divided identities, this conveys universal oneness where every individual has a role as part of the supreme whole, indicating an elevated perspective beyond divisions.
37. Examine the lessons on finding opportunities in adversity and detachment leading to joy that the author imbibed from his father. How did these shape his worldview?
Answer: His father’s advice to introspect during struggles for self-improvement instilled optimism in the author to overcome challenges. Lessons on detachment leading to joy provided a philosophical outlook. These teachings to reflect and not be defeated during difficulties gave mental strength, shaping his resilient worldview.
38. Discuss the secularism and religious harmony promoted by the author’s parents that left a deep impact on him. Provide suitable examples.
Answer: The author was deeply influenced by his parents’ camaraderie with people of different faiths. His father’s friendship with the Hindu priest demonstrated interfaith amity. Guests from various religions visited their home. This environment of tolerance, empathy and respect beyond religious boundaries shaped his inclusive perspective.
39. The author makes a reference to seeking the divine and severing worldly bonds. Explore the spiritual undertones and message conveyed through this.
Answer: This reference underscores the author’s father’s spiritual advice to seek god internally through self-analysis rather than external rituals. Severing material bonds liberates one from restrictions. The passage promotes looking beyond superficial identities to find universal divinity within, conveying a message of human unity.
40. Analyze how parenting, family values, moral principles, spirituality and a simple lifestyle all converged to profoundly shape the author’s childhood and outlook.
Answer: The author’s descriptions demonstrate how the confluence of nurturing parenting, ethics, communal harmony, spiritual lessons, and a humble lifestyle in his upbringing influenced his progressive personality. His parents’ wisdom and example instilled strong values, empathy, religious tolerance and purpose – shaping his worldview focused on unity and service.
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