Strong Roots Questions and Answers
Q.1 In what class of family Abdul Kalam was born?
Ans Abdul Kalam was born in a middle-class Tamil family of moderate means and high morals.
Q.2 Where was he born and when ?
Ans Abdul Kalam was born in the island town of Rameswaram in 1931.
Q.3 How were Kalam’s parents regarded by their neighbours ?
Ans Kalam’s parents were regarded as an ideal couple by their neighbours.
Q.4 What do you know of Kalam’s father’s nature?
Ans Kalam’s father was neither rich nor highly educated, but a noble character with piety, wisdom and generosity.
Q.5 What do you know of Kalam’s parents ?
Ans Kalam’s father Jainulabdeen was a spiritual personality of intense generosity, while his mother, who had a good lineage, was his ideal helpmate
Q.6 What does Kalam say of his ancestral house?
Ans Kalam’s ancestral house was large, strong built and quite old, situated on the Mosque street in Rameswaram.
Q.7 How did Kalam’s childhood pass ?
Ans Kalam’s childhood days were not passed in abundance and luxury but in enough economic security and mental freedom.
Q.8 What does the author say of the locality where his family lived ?
Ans The locality, close to the famous Shiva temple of
, was predominantly Muslim, but a good many Hindu families, too, lived there in cordiality
Q9 Where and how did the author normally eat ?
Ans The author used to eat normally with his mother, sitting on the floor of the kitchen
Q10 When and where did Kalam’s father take his prayer?
Ans Kalam’s father had his prayer every evening in the old mosque of the locality.
Q.11 Did Kalam understand the sense of the mprayer? If not, why?
Ans Kalam did not understand the meaning of the prayer because it was chanted in the Arabic language, not at all known to him.
Q 12 “One of the most vivid memories of my childhood What was that vivid memory?
ns That vivid memory was the religious discussion between his father and the high priest of Rameswaram temple, belonging to two different faiths.
How did Kalam’s father treat religious concept?
Q.13
Ans Religious concepts, generally complex, were treated admirably and presented in a quite simple manner by Kalam’s father.
Q.14 How did Kalam’s father explain adversity a
Ans Kalam’s father did not discard adversity but took that as a necessity to the study of the inner self or spirit of a person.
Q.15 In what sense Kalam’s father take prayer ?
Ans Kalam’s a firm conviction that prayer was a mode of communication of the spirit between different people and made one a part of the cosmos.
Q.16 When according to Kalam’s father, people ?
Ans According to Kalam’s father, people needed help and advice, when they were alone in distress and trouble.
Q.17 What role did Kalam’s father propose to play, when people came to him for his help and advice? [Answer in two sentences]
ns Whenever people came to him for help and advice, Kalam’s father played the role of a mere mediator. His objective was to guide and keep them on a right track amid fear and weakness.
Q.18 What has Kalam tried throughout his life?
ns Kalam has tried throughout his life to follow his
father’s principles and ideals even in his own spheres of science and technology.
Q. 19 What fundamental truth did his father reveal to Abdul Kalam ?
ns Abdul Kalam’s father revealed to him the fundamental truth of the existence of a divine power to protect and direct one’s life.
Q.20 What, according to Abdul Kalam, an individual need to have freedom, happiness and mental peace ?
ns According to Abdul Kalam, an individual must cut off all his or her emotional and physical ties that weaken him or her to have freedom, happiness and mental peace.
Q.21 How does adversity benefit us?
Ans According to Kalam’s father adversity gives us scope for deep meditation over our thoughts and actions.
What did Kalam’s father say regarding the relevance of prayer?
Ans According to Kalam’s father, the relevance of prayer is to make possible a communion of the spirits between the people.
Q.23 What is an autobiography?
Ans An autobiography is a write-up where the author
ESTRELL
lays down all incidents of his life in an attractive manner.
Q.24 How was Kalam’s father regarded by the outsiders?
Ans For his generosity, helpful attitude, simple living and profound wisdom Kalam’s father was regarded as the most respectful person even by the outsiders.
Q.25 Wherefrom has this essay ‘Strong Roots’ been taken?
Ans The essay ‘Strong Roots’ has been taken from the first chapter of ‘Wings of Fire’.
1Q.26 Where did Kalam go for evening prayers?
Ans Kalam used to go to a nearby mosque in Rameswaram for evening prayers.
Q.27 How was Jainulabdeen by nature?
Ans Jainulabdeen was generous, religious-minded and peace-loving by nature.
Q. 28 How was Kalam’s family?
Ans Kalam’s family was so liberal that people of different religions used to come to them for various sorts of help.
Q.29 How many outsiders used to dine with the members of Kalam’s family?
ns The number of outsiders who used to dine with the members of the family of Kalam was more than the total number of the members of Kalam’s family.
Q.30 20 Who was given the title ‘Bahadur’ and by whom?
ins One of the forebears of Kalam’s mother’s family was given the title ‘Bahadur’ by the British rulers.
Q.31 How old was the ancestral house of Kalam’s family?
ns The ancestral house of Kalam’s family was more than two hundred years old.
Q32 When was the ancestral house of Kalam built?
ns The ancestral house of Kalam was built in the middle of the 19th century.
Q.33 How did Kalam’s father live?
Ans Kalam’s father lived a very simple austere
Q.34 Where did Kalam dine and with whom?
Ans Kalam normally dined with his mother sitting on the floor in the kitchen.
Q.35 What sort of food did Kalam take?
Ans Kalam used to take rice, aromated sambar, homemade pickle and a dollop of fresh coconut chutney.
Q.36 How far was the Shiva temple from Kalam’s house?
ans The Shiva temple was situated at a distance of ten minutes walk from the house of Kalam.
Q.37 How was Kalam’s locality populated?
Ans The locality of Kalam was mainly dominated by Muslims, though some Hindus also were there.
Q.38 18 How did Kalam take prayers in the mosque in his childhood?
ns In his childhood Kalam could not make out the meaning of the prayers in Arabic but somehow believed in the existence of Allah.
Q. 39 How did Kalam’s father begin his day?
ns Kalam’s father began his day by reading Namaz at the early dawn.
Q.40 Who would wait to meet Kalam’s father outside the mosque and why?
ns People from different religions would wait for Kalam’s father outside the mosque to thank him and most of them offered him bowls of water for the sacred touch of his finger-tips.
Q.41 Who was Lakshmana Sastry? Or, Who was the high priest of Rameswaram temple.
Ans Lakshmana Sastry was the high priest of the Rameswaram temple.
FQ42 What does Kalam’s father say about adversity?
ns Kalam’s father says that adversities always present scope for introspection.
Q43 What, in accordance with Kalam, can lift a man from misery and confusion ?
ns In accordance with Kalam, a divine power can lift a man from misery and confusion.
Q44 In whom did Abdul Kalam’s father have an Ideal helpmate ? [XIl ’15]
Ans Abdul Kalam’s father had an ideal helpmate in his wife Ashiamma.
Q. 45 What did Abdul Kalam say of his childhood ?
Ans Abdul Kalam’s childhood was all secure from all sides — material necessities and mental expansions.
Q. 46 When, according to Kalam’s father, people look for some one to help?
Ans According to Kalam’s father, people look for some one to help them, whenever they are in distress and difficulty.
Eng. (XII) – 12
Q.47 What is the source of the essay ‘Strong Roots’?
Ans ‘Strong Roots’ has been taken from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam’s best selling autobiography Wings of Fire’ 1999. It is the first chapter of the book.
Q.48 What has Abdul Kalam written about his father’s education and wealth ?
Ans In his autobiography Abdul Kalam has written that his father, Jainulabdeen had neither much formal educaiton nor much wealth.
Q. 49 What did Kalam’s father have in Ashiamma ?
Ans In Ashiamma, the mother of Abdul Kalam, his father had an ideal helpmate.
Q.50 How many people did Kalam’s mother feed everyday ?
Ans APJ Abdul Kalam could not call up the exact number of people his mother had fed everyday. But he was sure that more outsiders ate with them than the total number of their family members.
Q.51 How was Kalam’s mother’s lineage?
Ans APJ Abdul Kalam’s mother’s lineage was a distinguished one, since one of her ancestors had been bestowed the title of ‘Bahadur’ by the British.
1052 How does Kalam compare his looks in childhood with that of his parents ?
ns According to APJ Abdul Kalam, he was a short boy with rather undistinguished looks while his parents were tall and handsome.
Q53 What would Kalam’s mother serve at lunch?
ns At lunch Kalam’s mother Ashiamma would serve rice and aromatic samber, home made pickle and fresh coconut chutney.
How was the Hindu-Muslim relationship in Kalam’s locality ?
Ans In the locality of Abdul Kalam a lot of Hindu families cordially lived with their Muslim neighbours. There
Ty
prevailed a sweet relationship among them.
Q. 55 Why would Kalarm’s father take him to the local ? mosque
ns APJ Abdul Kalam’s father would take him to the local mosque to attend the evening prayers.
1Q.56 What idea did Kalam have about the meaning of the Arabic prayers chanted at the mosque ?
Ans The prayers at the mosque were chanted in Arabic
which was quite unknown to Kalam. So he had no idea about hte meaning of prayers chanted at the mosque.
Q.57 How would Kalam’s father sanctify water brought by the local people?
Ans Kalam’s father dipped his fingertips in the water brought by the local people and said a prayer. In this way he would sanctify the water.
Q.58 How would Kalam’s father react when people offer being cured, offered him thanks ?
Ans When people, after coming round would come to the mosque to thank Kalam’s father, he always smiled and asked them to thank Allah, the merciful.
Q.59 How were Kalam’s father and Pakshi Lakshman Shastry dressed while discussing spiritual matters ?oint
Ans There was held a discussion regarding spiritual matters between the father of Kalam and Pakshi Lakshman Shastry, dressed in their own traditional attire.
Q.60 Where lies the superiority of the cosmos ?
Ans The superiority of the cosmos lies in the fact that cosmos knows no division of wealth, age, caste or creed.
Q61 How could Kalam’s father convey complex spiritual concepts?
Ans APJ Abdul Kalam’s father could convey the complex spiritual concepts in very simple colloquial Tamil language.
Q62 How did Kalam’s father look up on every human being ?
Ans Kalam’s father looked upon every human being as a specific element within the whole manifest divine being.
Q63 What according to Kalam’s father should one do when troubles come ?
ns According to Kalam’s father one should try to understand the relevance of sufferings when troubles come.
[Q 64 “His answer filled me with a strange energy and enthusiasm”.-Whose answer is referred to here?
ns The speaker, APJ Abdul Kalam refers to the answer given him by his father.
Q.65 “His answer filled me with a strange energy and enthusiasm.”-How was the answer given ? What was the impact of the answer upon the speaker?
ans The answer was given in a low, deep voice. The answer filled the writer APJ Abdul Kalam with a strange energy and enthusiasm.
Q.66 What human beings do when they reach an impasse?
Ans According to Kalam’s father when human beings reach an impasse, they look for someone who can show them the way out to overcome the problems.
Q.67 What did Kalam’s father play for people in distress ?
Ans Kalam’s father took the distress of the people serious. He played the role of a medium of communication for the distressed people in their effort to appease demonic force with prayers and offerings.
Q.68 “This is not a correct approach at all and should never be followed.”-What approach is referred to here?
Ans The approach referred to here is the approach to please and calm demonic forces with prayers and offerings through a medium.
Q.69 “However, all necessities were provided for.” -What basic necessities does the speaker mention here?
Ans The basic necessities of human beings are food, medicine and clothings. The speaker A P J Abdul Kalam have mentioned all these necessities here.
Q.70 In which town was Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam born ?
Ans APJ Abdul Kalam was born in the town of Rameswaram in the erstwhile Madras state.
Q.71 What accoding to Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam’s father does adversity always present ?
Ans According to APJ Abdul Kalam’s father, adversities always present scope for introspection.
0.72 Why has Kalam used the adjective ‘austere’ to describe his father ?
Ans Kalam’s father lived a plain and simple life. The word ‘austere’ means simple. So Kalam has appropriately used the word ‘austere’ while he describes his father.
Q.73 Who was the priest of the Shiva Temple in ‘Strong Roots’ ?
Ans Pakshi Lakshman Sastry was the priest of the Shiva Temple in Rameswaram.
Q.74 Who was bestowed the title of ‘Bahadur’ in ‘Strong Roots’?
Ans One of the forebears of Abdul Kalam’s mother was bestowed the title of ‘Bahadur’ by the British.
MARKS 6
Q.1 What does Kalam say of his early life? Write briefly.
Ans Dr Abdul Kalam belonged to a middle-class Tamil family. He was born (in 1931) in Rameswaram, Tamilnadu. His family was not wealthy but had not any want. As the author frankly speaks out, ‘mine was a very secure childhood, materially and emotionally.’ Dr Kalam’s ancestral house, built in the middle of the nineteenth century, was fairly large and stout. The building was on the Mosque Street at a short distance from the famous Shiva temple of Rameswaram. Dr. Kalam
was one of the several children of his parents. He was a short boy of no remarkable appearance. [94 words]
Q.2 What does Kalam say of his parents?
Ans Kalam recalls respectfully his parents who were considered an ideal couple by the people of his locality. His father Jainulabdeen was highly religious minded. He had, of course, neither riches nor much formal education. But he was a man of wisdom and piety and ever helpful to people.
Kalam’s mother was an ideal ‘helpmate’ of her husband. She, too, was kind and hospitable and fed a number of people in her house daily. She came of a respectable lineage. Kalam had a close link with his parents and ever loved and followed them. He looked upon them as the ideal of his life. [102 words]
Q3 What does Kalam say of his father’s evening prayer at the old mosque?
Ans Kalam’s father was strictly religious in his daily life. Every evening he went to the old mosque for prayer. Kalam accompanied him regularly, although he could hardly understand the meaning of the prayer chanted . But, he believed that every prayer reached God’s ears.
Kalam’s father was highly esteemed in the locality as a spiritual personality. Naturally a good many people, even of different faiths, waited for him outside to have his blessings after the evening prayer. His father would dip his fingertips into the bowls of water, brought by them, and say a prayer. Those, who were cured from illness, visited his house to offer thanks to him. His father, of course, always advised them smilingly to thank Allah for His mercy and blessings. [124 words ]
04 What was Kalam’s father’s response to his question about the purpose of prayer?
Ans Kalam’s father regularly went to the old mosque of his locality in the evening for prayer. Kalam always accompanied him.
Kalam was deeply impressed by his father’s conduct during and after that evening prayer. He felt inquisitive to know the need of prayer in life.
His father explained to him in a simple way what was the purpose of prayer. According to him, there was nothing complex or mysterious in prayer. It was a simple process of communion between people and divinity. He pointed out to him, too, that through his prayer, a person attained a state higher than his mere physical body and became a part of the cosmos. That person was then in a divine () communion without any care for material matters. [123 words]
0.5 What was Kalam’s father’s attitude to adversity? How far was he impressed by that? [4+2=6]
Ans Adversity is a curse and so, people try to avoid it. Kalam’s father had a different attitude to adversity. He looked upon it as an opportunity given to one for selfintrospection . According to him, difficulties, problems, sufferings and dangers were natural to human life. There was, as such, no justreason for getting afraid of them. One must not get nervous then, but should try to assess his or her power of resistance. Adversity must be taken as a blessing-an opportunity for self-assessment for any sort of action or function. Kalam was deeply impressed and influenced by his
father’s attitude to adversity. He came to believe that adversity was a blessing in disguise to strengthen the inner spirit in man to bear and defy dangers and difficulties in the struggle of life. (134 words ]
Q6 How far has Kalam emulated his father in his own life? [6]
ns Abdul Kalam has great regards for his father. He is to him the very ideal of life to follow and attain. He sincerely has followed his mode of living and teaching to his followers and neighbours. His father was a deeply religious man. His motto was to inspire and impress his fellow beings to attain harmony and happiness in life. Kalam, too, has the same objective. He is a man of science and technology. Yet, he practises even in his world of science and technology his father’s high and inspiring advices. He has the firm conviction on his father about the existence of a divine power to help and guide mankind to the road to freedom, happiness and peace. [119 words ]
Q.7 What is the message learned and followed by Kalam in his life? [6]
Ans What Kalam has solidly learnt from his father’s life-style and conduct is the poper evaluation of everything. Every matter has truth and falsehood. One must stick to truth and discard what is untrue. Kalam has learnt from his father the value of the prayer in this matter. This leads one to God, the ultimate truth of existence. It is faith that leads to truth and cleanses all wrongs. Kalam learns and holds up strongly the value of truth to achieve happiness and peace in life and mind. [87 words ]
Q.8 How, according to Kalam, man can attain freedom, happiness and peace of mind?
Ans Kalam has tried ever to emulate his father’s life and teachings. Even in his own occupational sphere he follows him as the very precept () of living. What he has fundamentally learned from him is the existence of a Divine Power to shape and guide all. Total faith in this power removes the dark clouds of doubt and despair and brings mind to faith and peace. Man, in such a state, becomes free from fear and despair. He attains peace and happiness through his faith in his life and in the power Divine. [92 words ]
Q.9 “Why don’t you say this to the people who came to you….. ?” Who says this and to whom? What is referred to by the word ‘this’ ? Why do the people come to the person spoken to ? [XII15] [1+1+2+2 =6]
Ans Abdul Kalam says this to his father Jainulabdeen. ‘This’ refers to the common people’s habit of getting afraid
of problems, troubles, sorrows and suffering. What they need is to understand and face all these with courage and conviction
People come to Kalam’s father whenever they are in trouble and distress for help and advice. 154 words)
1Q 10 “This is not a correct approach at all.. 19 what? -Who said this to whom and about [2+4 =6]
Ans That was said by • This is about common people’s blind belief in Kalam’s father. Those superstitious , unlearned people had a great faith in his spiritual power and ability. Whenever they were in distress and troubles, they came to him. They believed that he could drive away the demonic forces that troubled them. They believed that he would bring back their fortune and happiness. Kalam’s father firmly held that such a belief had been absolutely wrong. That was not at all a correct approach to get over their misfortune. [92 words ]
Kalam’s father to him.
Q.11 “I have endeavoured to understand the fundamental truths.”-Who is ‘I’ referred to here? What was the fundamental truths? Who revealed it to the speaker and how? [1+2+3=6]
Ans Here ‘I’ refers to Abdul Kalam, the author of the essay ‘Strong Roots’.
The fundamental truth was that there was the existence
of a divine power which helped everyone to overcome from all ‘confusions, miseries, melancholy and failures’. Thsi sort of belief gives guidance to everyone to the true path of life. This divine power is eternal.
From his very childhood Kalam went to the mosque regularly and attended the evening prayers. It was his belief that his prayers directly reached God. His father explained that prayer transcended one in a state where there was no difference of caste or creed; no difference of religion and age. If a person can uplift himself from the physical and emotional bondage of this materialists world, he can achieve the path of freedom, reach the world of happiness and inevitably get the peace of mind. Abdul Kalam tried to realize this truth throughout his life. In his working field also he tried to follow his father’s beliefs in the divine power. Thus the ‘fundamental truth’ was revealed to Abdul Kalam by his father, Jainulabdeen. [183 words ]
Q.12 Who was a very close friend to Jainulabdeen? What did they discuss? What did Kalam’s father say about prayer? [1+2+3=6]
Ans The very close friend of Jainulabdeen was
the high priest of the Rameswarm temple Pakshi Lakshmana Sastry.
They often discussed about the spiritual matters, though they belonged to two different religious faiths. Kalam has presented the classical example of the communal harmony here.
When Kalam wanted to know from his father about the relevance of prayers, he replied that it was not a mysterious thing. He offered an explanation to the spiritual thoughts in a very simple way which could be easily understood by all. He told his son that prayer was a ‘communion of the spirit between people’. This prayer to God transcended one’s body and at that moment he became a part of the cosmos where wealth, age, caste or creed did not make any difference among them. Those things did not at all matter there. [138 words ]
Q. 13 In his late sixties, how was the lifestyle of Kalam’s father? Why was it necessary ? How did it impress young Kalam? [2+2+2=6]
Ans Kalam noticed that his father started his day at 4 in the morning by reading the namaz. After that he walked to their small coconut grove which was about four miles away from their house. He came back home holding together with a dozen coconuts; carrying them on his shoulder. After that he took his breakfast. It was his daily routine even in his late sixties.
This type of hard and regular labour kept him strong and energetic. He was strong enough to visit the mosque regularly and there discussed about the spiritual matters with his friends. He prayed for all.
This type of lifestyle of his father impressed Kalam beyond measure. He followed his father and ultimately reached to the top. He never forgot to remember who was behind his growing up as a perfect man. Kalam learnt the (145 words ] philosophy of life from his father.
Q.14 “When my father came out of the mosque….. .”-Who is the speaker here? When did they go to the mosque? What happened when the speaker’s father came out of the mosque? [1+1+4=6]
Ans Here the speaker is Abdul Kalam, writer of ‘Strong Roots’.
There was an old mosque near the famous Shiva temple at Rameswaram which was about ten minutes walk from the house of Kalam. Every evening Kalam used to go there with his father for evening prayers. He could not understand the meaning of the prayers chanted in Arabic but he thought that those reached God.
After finishing the prayers when Kalam’s father came out of mosque people of all religions waited for him with a bowl of water in their hands. In the water his father dipped his fingertips and prayed for them. They then carried this water for the invalids at their homes. Kalam noticed that those people came to his house to offer thanks to his father after
coming round. His father always smiled and asked them to thank the almighty, Allah. (143 words)
(Q15 How was Kalam’s father regarded by the [6] outsiders?
ins Kalam’s father was a very simple and kindhearted person. His philanthropic attitude pleased all. So people from different religions used to come to him for help. Jainulabdeen, father of Kalam who led a very austere life used to come out of the mosque everyday to solve their problems. He would dip his fingertips in the bowls of water brought by the devotees and utter prayers for them. This sacred water used to cure the invalids. People who were cured of their ailments used to come to him to express their gratitude to him. In fact, for his generosity, helpful attitude, simple living and profound wisdom he was regarded as the most respectful person in the locality. [116 words ]
Q.16 What does Kalam say about religion and spirituality in his essay ‘Strong Roots’? [6] Or, What note of spirituality do you find reflected in his essay ‘Strong Roots’? [6]
Ans Kalam’s attitude towards religion and his conception about spirituality have been vividly and clearly reflected in his autobiographical writing ‘Strong Roots’. Since boyhood he used to visit the mosquein their locality at Rameswaram. His father took him to the local mosque for evening prayers. Though Kalam could not make out meaning of the prayers chanted in Arabic, he believed that those reached God. In fact, he was so much moved by his father’s concept of spirituality that he tried to follow it in his own life. Kalam was born and brought up in a purely religious and spiritual atmosphere. He tried to understand the fundamental truths revealed to him. He also felt the existence of a divine power in this world. He was convinced that this divine power could lift a man from confusion, misery, melancholy and failure. He realises that this divine power leads a man to his right place. He is convinced that to get peace of mind and happiness human beings should tear off the emotional and physical bonds. [172 words]
Q.17 “When troubles come, try to understand the relevance of your sufferings.”-Who said this? What did the speaker say about human sufferings? What did Kalam himself say about human sufferings ?
Ans Abdul Kalam’s father Jainulabdeen said this. .Kalam’s father was of the opinion that misery and sufferings are absolutely necessary in a man’s life. Whenever a man suffers he should try to realise the relevance of sufferings in his life. According to him adversity which causes sufferings is itself full of blessings in disguise. It paves the way for self introspection (ga). When adversity comes a person gets an opportunity to look back to assess his past actions and thoughts. A man can thus get an opportunity to judge his limitations or faults. To find out the reason behind sufferings is very important in man’s life. If he can avoid that reason he can attain peace and happiness. According to Kalam man is a part of a divine power. So he
should not be afraid to encounter sufferings or adversities. He should take it as a test of God and try to overcome it through self-assessment. [154 words]
Q.18 What light does APJ Abdul Kalam throw on his birth, birth place and his house in his autobiographical essay ‘Strong Roots’? [6]
Ans In his autobiographical essay ‘Strong Roots’ APJ Abdul Kalam has given a vivid description on his birth, birth place and his house he lived in. He says that he came of a middle-class Tamil family in the island town of Rameswaram in Tamilnadu. It is situated in the erstwhile Madras state. His father Jainulabdeen was very poor. He had no formal education. His father of course got an ideal help mate in his mother Ashiamma. Kalam belonged to a religious-minded family. His father devoted himself in the service of God. He was kind and sympathetic to all irrespective of their caste and religion. Kalam informs us about his locality which was predominantly a Muslim area. But a lot of Hindu families also lived amicably with their Muslim neighbours. There prevailed a perfect communal harmony among them. Each gave due respect to other’s religion. Kalam also says that their house was at a distance of ten minute walk from the famous Shiva temple in Rameswaram. [164 words ]
Q.19 “This is not a correct approach at all and should never be followed.”-Where does this line occur? Who says this and in what context ? Which is not a correct approach ? What is a correct approach?
[1+1+1+1/2+1/2=6]
Ans This sentence occurs in APJ Abdul Kalam’s autobiographical essay ‘Strong Roots’. • Jainulabdeen, the father of APJ Abdul Kalam, said this.
In course of talking about his role as a mediator for appeasing the demonic forces in the lives of the persons, who come to seek help and advice, Jainulabdeen says this. According to Jainulabdeen, the function of helping the distressed through prayers and offerings is not at all a correct approach.
The correct approach is to ask the sufferers to introspect themselves for seeking out the cause of their sufferings. He explains that when a man can comprehend the cause of his sufferings, he would certainly be able to find out ways to overcome them through prayers and offerings. [117 words /
Q.20 How does Dr. Kalam describe his neighbourhood? [6]
ns In his autobiographical writing ‘Strong Roots’ Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam has offered a detailed description of his locality. He was born in Rameswaram, Tamilnadu. It was the then in the state of Madras under the British rule. He lived in his ancestral house on the Mosque Street. Rameswaram was very famous and attractive to pilgrims because of the famous Shiva temple. It was very near to Kalam’s house about ten minutes walk from his house. The locality was dominated mainly by Muslims. But a lot of Hindu families could also be seen living there. People of both the religions, the Hindus and the Muslims lived in common harmony and peace. In the locality there was a very old mosque where he used to go every evening with his father for evening prayers. [132 words ]
Q.21 Why does Dr. Kalam feel that he had a secure childhood ? [6]
Ans Dr. Abdul Kalam was born and brought up in a middle-class Tamil family. His parents were an ideal couple. They lived in their ancestral house. It was built in the middle of the 19th century. Kalam’s father had neither education nor enough wealth. Their family was not an affluent one. But his parents left no effort untried to provide him with everything he needed. All necessities, in terms of food, medicine and clothing; were provided for Kalam in his childhood. He had a congenial domestic atmosphere. He had not to feel any emotional disturbance or material paucity . He was brought up in peace and happiness. So, Kalam rightly claims that he had a secure childhood. [115 words ]
Q.22 What does Dr. Kalam tell about taking his meal in childhood ?
Ans In his autobiographical writing ‘Strong Roots’ Dr. Kalam gives a vivid description about how he used to take
meals in his childhood days. Usually he would take his meals with his mother. He sat on the floor of the kitchen. His mother would place a banana leaf before him. Then she would pour rice and aromatic sambar with a ladle. She would serve a variety of sharp home-made pickle and a dollop of fresh coconut chutney also. It shows that he had very simple food habits. This description also suggests his deep attachment to his mother. (94 words ]
Q 23 “When troubles come, try to understand the relevance of your sufferings. Adversity always presents opportunities for introspection.” – Who said this and to whom? Elucidate the statement. [2+4=6]
Ans Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam’s father Jainulabdeen said this to him.
This memorable statement is one of the most important aspects of Jainulabdeen’s teachings. In his opinion, a man is a specific element within the whole of the manifest divine Being. So the individual should not be afraid of sufferings, difficulties, miseries, problems and failures. Rather we should try to realise the relevance of all these. Even suffering has its own utility. If men can understand the reasons behind our sufferings it would be easy for them to find out their solutions. A difficult or unpleasant situation will put us to a test of endurance and makes one fit for all consequences. It compels men to examine their thoughts, feelings and reasons. In this sense adversity seems to be a blessing in disguise for us and it widens the range of introspection. (141 words ]
25 How, according to Kalam’s father Jainulabdeen do human beings react to trouble and impasse? [6]
Ans Kalam’s father Jainulabdeen had no formal education but he was endowed with intuition . His spiritual conception was very profound. He was a close observer of human life and situations. It is reflected in Kalam’s writing ‘Strong Roots’. He observed that human beings face constant anguish, longing and desire and each type of sorrows finds its own helper. In life, each man may reach an impasse and finds no way out. Under such circumstances they look for a guide who can show them way out. In a similar way whenever they are in trouble that destroys peace and happiness they look for someone to help them. In a troublesome situation human beings are at a loss and loose calmness and stability of mind. Only a helper then can provide them with strength and energy and courage to overcome those adversities. [139 words]
Q.26 “Every recurrent anguish, longing, and desire finds its own special helper.” -Who said this? How did he act as a special helper? [1+5=6]
Ans Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam’s father Jainulabdeen said this.
• Dr. Kalam’s father played the role of a special helper to those people who would come to him in distress. People often would come to him for his help and advice. People thought that some demonic forces were behind all sufferings and miseries. So they wanted to propitiate those demonic forces by offering gifts and prayers. In their attempt to appease those evil forces with offerings and prayers; they believed Kalam’s father to play an importent role. But he believed that he could play the role of a mediator only in their distress. He prayed for them so that they could overcome their miseries and sufferings by their own efforts. [118 words ]
Q.27 What, according to the author, was the relationship between the Hindus and the Muslims at Rameswaram?
Ans Theauthor, Abdul Kalam, in hisessay ‘Strong Roots’ highlights the sweet and cordial relationship between the Hindus and Muslims at Rameswaram. He has described it recapitulating his pleasant memories. The then locality of Abdul Kalam was predominantly Muslims. There also lived a lot of Hindu families. People belonging to both the communities lived amicably. There existed a peaceful communal harmony among them. Rameswaram was famous to the pilgrims for its famous Shiva temple. There was an old mosque also. The high priest of Rameswaram temple was a close friend of the author’s father. They often indulged themselves in the discourse on spiritual matters without any feeling of animosity (C). The author’s father was a devout Muslim. But he felt that there was no difference among the people in respect of caste and religion. He regarded everyone as the creation of God. People of different religions brought bowls of water to him. He dipped his fingertips in the water and uttered a prayer. It was then carried home by them to cure the invalids. Thus there existed an
amicable relationship between the two communities, the
Hindus and the Muslims. [188 words]
Q.28 Give an account of the author’s reminiscences of his early life at Rames[6] waram.
Ans The author in his autobiographical writing ‘Strong Roots’ reminisces his early life and activities. He remembers well his childhood. He was one of many children of his parents. He was a short boy with an average look. His father and mother were an ideal couple. He lived in their ancestral house, built in the middle of the 19th century with limestone and brick on the Mosque Street in Rameswaram. His father was an austere person and avoided non-essential comforts and luxuries. His mother was loving and hospitable. Kalam used to take his meal with his mother. He used to take rice, aromatic sambar, pickles together with dollops of fresh coconut chutney on a banana leaf. His father used to take him to the mosque for evening prayers daily. He could not understand the meaning of the prayer chanted in Arabic. His father dipped his fingertips into the water of bowls which people, who came to meet his father, carried home to cure invalids. His father and the high priest of Rameswaram temple were close friends and often discussed together about spiritual matters. [179 words ]
Q.29 Draw a picture of the author’s father and his status in Rameswaram.
Ans Dr. Abdul Kalam’s ‘Strong Roots’ is an autobiographical writing. Here he has drawn a vivid picture of his father and his social status in Rameswaram. The family lived in the ancestral house. His father had neither formal education nor much wealth. He was an austere person. He always avoided non-essential comforts and luxuries. He would get up at four in the morning and started his day with reading the Namaz. Then he would walk four miles everyday to his coconut grove and return with a dozen coconuts on his shoulder. He was a highly regarded personality in the locality. People of different religions waited outside the mosque to meet him with a bowl of water. He would dip his fingertips in the water and utter a prayer. People took the water home to cure the invalids. He and the high priest of Rameswaram temple were close friends. They often used to discuss spiritual matters. He was deemed (P) a spiritual person. For all his wisdom and spiritual outlook he enjoyed a high status in Rameswaram. [174 words]
****************************
READ MORE..
Strong Roots Questions and Answers Strong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and Answers
Strong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and Answers
Strong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and Answers
Strong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and Answers
Strong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and AnswersStrong Roots Questions and Answers
Strong Roots Questions and Answers