Questions and answers of strong roots

1.  Describe a brief account of Kalam’s childhood, as presented in his ‘Strong Roots’.

      Or—Why does Dr. Kalam feel that he had a secure childhood?

Ans. From the prose, ‘Strong Roots’ we came to learn that Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam was born and brought up in a middle class Tamil family. His parents were an ideal couple. Kalam’s family was not an affluent one, his father used to avoid all inessential comforts and luxuries. He was given everything he needed. However, all necessities were provided for, in terms of food, medicine or clothing in his childhood. He had a congenial family atmosphere. He had no emotional disturbance or material want. He was brought up in happiness. Kalam said that he had a secure childhood.

2. How did his father’s attitude to adversity influence the young Kalam ?

Ans. From the Prose, ‘Strong Roots’ we came to know that Dr. Kalam’s father was a great spiritual person. He thought that adversity always presents opportunities for introspection. According to his father when troubles come one should try to understand the relevance of his/her suffering. One should not be afraid of difficulties, sufferings and problems. According to his father every recurrent anguish, longing and desire finds its own special helper. A lonely person looks for a company who will help him. This attitude to spirituality had a great influence on young Kalam. It gave his strange energy and enthusiasm. Throughout his life Kalam tried to emulate his father’s advice.

3. What was Kalam’s father response to his son’s query about prayer and spirituality?

Or—What did Dr. Kalam’s father tell him about the ‘relevance of prayer’ ?

Or—Is there anything mysterious about prayer ? Answer from Jainulabdeen’s observation.

Ans. When Abdul Kalam was old enough to ask questions, he asked his father about the relevance of prayer. His father expressed him there was nothing mysterious about prayer. According to his father prayer made a communion of the spirit between people. He also said that when one prays, he transcends his body and becomes a part of the cosmos which knows no division of wealth, age, caste or creed. His father told that every human being is a specific element within the whole divine being. Kalam came to know from his father that adversity always presents opportunities for introspection. His father also told that the two-fold vision of destiny.

4. Describe the daily routine of Kalam’s father and add a comment on it.

Ans. Kalam’s father started his day at 4 a.m. by reading the namaz before dawn.  After the namaz, he used to walk down to a small coconut grove they owned, about four miles from their home. He would return home with about a dozen coconuts tied together thrown over his shoulder. After that he took his breakfast. This remained his routine even when he was in his late sixties.

      The daily routine of Kalam’s father shows that he was a man of discipline. He leads a very simple life. His austere father used to avoid all inessential comforts and luxuries.

5. “Why don’t you say this to the people who come to you ?”—Who asked this and to whom? Why would people come to the person spoken to ? What is ‘this’ ?

Ans. Dr. Kalam asked this question to his father, Jainulabdeen.

         People would come to Kalam’s father for help and advice when they were in trouble.

         Here ‘this’ refers to the spiritual concept of his father. According to his father this would is nothing but manifestations of God. Every human being is a specific element within the whole of the manifest divine Being. So we should not be afraid of difficulties, sufferings and problems. We should accept our suffering as something natural and try to understand the relevance of our suffering. We should call up that adversity always presents opportunities for introspection.