Class 9 English - KERALA
Prose: My Childhood
My Childhood is an extract from the autobiography Wings of Fire by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. The chapter sheds light on the early life of the former President of India, focusing on his childhood in Rameswaram, his parents, and the crucial experiences that shaped his secular and scientific outlook. For Kerala SCERT Class 9 board exams, this chapter is very important for testing reading comprehension, vocabulary, and paragraph-level answers. Students must understand Kalam's upbringing, the influence of his family and friends, and the social harmony and challenges he witnessed during his formative years.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Kalam's Family Background
Dr. Kalam describes his father, Jainulabdeen, as an honest and austere man with great innate wisdom, and his mother, Ashiamma, as a generous woman who fed many outsiders daily.
Childhood Environment
Kalam grew up in an ancestral house on Mosque Street in Rameswaram, leading a secure childhood both materially and emotionally.
Social Harmony and Incidents
Despite being born in a conservative society, Kalam's close friends were from orthodox Hindu Brahmin families, highlighting communal harmony, though they also witnessed minor instances of social stratification.
Influence of Teachers
Encounters with teachers like Sivasubramania Iyer challenged social barriers, teaching young Kalam how to overcome preconceived notions and prejudice through patience and respect.
Moving Away for Higher Education
Reflecting his father's progressive mindset, Kalam sought permission to leave Rameswaram to study at the district headquarters in Ramanathapuram, marking the beginning of his independent journey.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
This chapter typically carries around 6 to 10 marks in the Kerala SCERT Class 9 English examination. Common question types include short answer questions about Kalam's parents and friends, paragraph questions on the values depicted, and vocabulary or extract-based comprehension questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualities did Kalam inherit from his parents?
Kalam inherited honesty and self-discipline from his father, and a spirit of kindness, faith, and goodness from his mother.
Who were Kalam's childhood friends?
His closest childhood friends were Ramanadha Sastry, Aravindan, and Sivaprakasan, all hailing from orthodox Hindu Brahmin families.
How did Sivasubramania Iyer's wife react when Kalam dined at their house?
She was conservative and initially refused to serve food to a Muslim boy inside her ritually pure kitchen, but later changed her attitude when Iyer served Kalam himself and invited him back.
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