1. Why was Abdul Kalam's mother's linage considered to be more distinguished? How did Ashiamma prove herself to be an ideal helpmate of Abdul Kalam's father?
Ans: Abdul Kalam's mother's linage was considered more distinguished because one of her forebears had been bestowed with the title of "Bahadur" by the British.
Ashiamma proved herself to be an ideal helpmate of Abdul Kalam's father Jainulabdeen by being as generous as her husband. Abdul Kalam says that he did not recall the exact number of people Ashiamma fed everyday certain that but he was quite far more outsiders ate with them than all the members of their own family put together. Moreover both of them together provided material and emotional security to their children.
2. How does Abdul Kalam describe his looks? Who made his childhood secure and how?
Ans: Abdul Kalam describes his looks by saying that he was a short boy with rather undistinguished looks born to tall and handsome parents.
His parents made his childhood secure. His austere father used to avoid all inessential comforts and luxuries. However, all necessities were provided for in terms of food, medicine and clothing. In fact, all these things made his childhood very secure both emotionally and materially. Moreover, his mother loved him and took care of him so much that she usually ate with him, sitting on the floor of the kitchen.
3. Where did Abdul Kalam's father take him for evening prayers? What was Abdul Kalam totally convinced of? What would Abdul Kalam's father do to the bowls of water affered to him?
Ans: There was a very old mosque in the locality of Abdul Kalam. His father used to take him to the mosque for evening prayers.
Though Abdul Kalam had not the faintest idea of the the meaning of Arabic prayers chanted, he was totally convinced that they reached God.
When people offered bowls of water to Abdul Kalam's father, he used to dip his fingertips in them and say a prayer. The people used to carry these bowls of water to their homes to treat the invalids.
4. How do you understand that Hindus and Muslims lived amicably at Rameswaram when Abdul Kalam was child?
Ans: When Abdul Kalam was a child, Hindus and Muslims lived in harmony. Abdul Kalam says that their locality was predominently Muslim but there were quite a number of Hindu families too, living amicably with their muslim neighbours. Moreover, Abdul Kalam says that the high priest of Rameswaram Temple, Pakshi Lakshman Sastry was a very close friend of his father and the two often sat together, each in his traditional attire, discussing spiritual matters. This was possible only in a relationship based on friendship and mutual respect. All these proves that Hindus and Muslims lived amicably.
5. What did Abdul Kalam ask his father when he was old enough? What did Abdul Kalam's father say about prayers?
Ans: When Abdul Kalam was old enough to ask questions, he asked his father about the relevance of prayers.
Regarding prayers, Abdul Kalam's father said that there is nothing mysterious about it. Rather prayer made possible a communion of the spirit between people. Jainulabdeen added that when one prays, one transcends one's body and becomes a part of the cosmos, which knows no division of wealth, age, caste or creed. By saying this to his son, Jainulabdeen tried to explain the relevance of prayers to Abdul Kalam.
6. What could Abdul Kalam's father convey easily? How did he explain to Abdul Kalam that adversity always presents opportunities for introspection?
Ans: Abdul Kalam's father could convey complex spiritual matters in very simple down to earth Tamil.
He explained to Abdul Kalam that in his own time, in his own place, in what he really is, and in the stage, he has reached, every human being is a specific element within the whole of the manifest divine being. So one should not be afraid of difficulties, sufferings and problems. In times of trouble, one should try to understand the relevance of suffering which is necessary for a person to do better afterwards. In this way, Jainulabdeen tried to make Abdul Kalam understand that adversity always presents apportunities for introspection.
7. "Why don't you say this to the people who come to you for help and advice?" - Who is the speaker? How did the person spoken to answer the question?
Ans: The speaker of the above quoted lines is A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.
His father Jainulabdeen answered the question by saying that whenever human beings find themselves alone, they start looking for company. Whenever they are in trouble, they look for someone to help them. Whenever they reach an impasse, they look to someone to show them the way out. Jainulabdeen offered himself as a go between in the effort of the distressed people to propitiate demonic forces with prayers and offerings. Jainulabdeen admitted that it was not the correct approach but one must understand the difference between a fear ridden vision of destiny and the vision that enables us to seek the enemy of fulfilment within oneself.
8. What does Abdul Kalam say about his efforts to emulate his father?
Ans: Abdul Kalam says that he has, throughout his life tried to emulate his father in his own world of science and technology. He says that he has tried to understand the fundamental truths revealed to him by his father and he feels convinced that there exists a divine power that can lift one up from confusion, misery, melancholy and failure, and guide one to one's true place. Abdul Kalam adds that once an individual severs his emotional and physical bond, he is on the road to freedom, happiness and peace of mind.
9. Describe a day in the life of Abdul Kalam's father?
Ans: Abdul Kalam's father Jainulabdeen would normally start his day at 4:00 AM before dawn and offer his Namaz. Then he would walk to the coconut grave they owned and would come back with about a dozen coconuts tied and slung on his shoulders. After that he would have his breakfast and start his work. In the evening he would go to a nearby mosque to offer his prayers again and after that he would dip his fingers (and pray) in the water bowls offered to him by people of different religions. These bowls of water would then be carried home to treat the invalids. He would always help people and tell them to thank Allah.
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