Ls. 1 MY MOTHER -DR. A.P.J. ABDUL KALAM

Ls. 1 MY MOTHER

DR. A.P.J. ABDUL KALAM

ANNOTATIONS

1. Such was the Indian concept of hospitality once upon a time.

Lesson and Author: These lines are taken from the narrative essay “My Mother”, written by Dr.A.P.J.Abdul  kalam, the ‘missile man’ and former President of India. The essay is an extract from his ‘My Journey”.

Content: In this essay Kalam portrays the devotion and love with which his mother served the family and guests. She was an embodiment of virtues.

Explanation: Kalam’s mother was a practical minded woman and took all the responsibility in a joint family. Guests dropped in every day and had their meals. Her husband’s income was just enough to take care of basic needs. Kalam’s mother never complained. Though she had to cook large quantities of food and served the guests without expressing and anger or irritation. She felt it was her duty and took utmost care about the family and guests.

Critical Appreciation: Kalam’s mother shows her patience and tolerance towards a large family. Honoring guests was an accepted Indian custom in those  days. The spirit of Indianans reflexes in every walk of kalam’s life.

• What a lesson that was for me to never forget the needs of those around me!

Lesson and Author: : These lines are taken from the narrative essay “My Mother”, written by Dr.A.P.J.Abdul  kalam, the ‘missile man’ and former President of India. The essay is an extract from his ‘My Journey”.

Content: Kalam narrates his memorable experience with his mother and family in the matter of eating food. She was an embodiment of virtues.

Explanation: Sharing, living and experiencing were the rare qualities. The members of the family knew how to live with manager resources. During the World War II years food was rationed due to severe shortage Kalam’s mother had made chapattis instead of rice. Kalam sat at his place on the floor and ate as many as he could without thinking of other’s needs. Later that night, his elder brother made him realize his mistake. That moment of shame broke Kalam’s heart and never repeated such a mistake. The human feelings bought out the human being in Kalam’s life.

Critical Appreciation: Self Judgment is required in a joint family. Abdul Kalam’s brother showed him the truth, “Tear should well in your eyes when your fellow being suffers” is driven home in this episode.

• Her fingers ran tenderly through my hair, comforting soothing and understanding.

Lesson and Author: : These lines are taken from the narrative essay “My Mother”, written by Dr.A.P.J.Abdul  kalam, the ‘missile man’ and former President of India. The essay is an extract from his ‘My Journey”.

Content: When Kalam was extremely tired and extortion his mother comforted him by caressing his hair and cheeks. She was an embodiment of virtues.

Explanation: Among all the siblings in the family, Kalam was always given priority by his mother. One day due to tiresomeness he fell asleep with his head in her lap. She  sat quietly, caressing his hair and cheeks, her touch the most precious balm for Kalam’s tiredness. Her act ws comforting soothing and loving care towards kalam was sensible and practical woman who understood the plight of her son. She knew Kalam’s straggle to reach his goal.

Critical Appreciation: in fact Kalam’s mother shows her affections and caring nature as a mother’s duty. The heart rendering narration of this prose peace leaves an impressionable impact on the reader’s mind.

• Now it is a sweet reminder …… buried in his heart.

Lesson and Author: These lines are taken from the narrative essay “My Mother”, written by Dr.A.P.J.Abdul  kalam, the ‘missile man’ and former President of India. The essay is an extract from his ‘My Journey”.

Content: Kalam’s father died at the age of 102 and later his mother, Ashiamma also passed away but they remained buried in his heart. She was an embodiment of virtures.

Explanation: here, Kalam remembered that everlasting memories of his parents. His grief towards his parents knew no bounds because of deep attachment. He was left only with sweet memories of a beautiful childhood. The loss of his parents was irreparable. Kalam’s parents molded his thoughts and personality. He has to live out the rest of his life without their guidance. He realized that his mother was a noble lady of wonderful perception and practical minded woman.

Critical Appreciation: Kalam’s mother was only woman who understood her boy’s deepest feelings, which left only with sweet memories of a beautiful childhood.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1. Kalam says, “My Mother was a gentle ……… provided in “My Mother”.

Ans:  A.P.J. Abdulkalam, the former president of India, was basically a technical scientist. He was a prolific writer. He was called as a Vishwa guru, a missile man and the people’s President. Abdul Kalam was honored the nation’s highest civilian award for his contribution as a scientist. This is taken from the lesson ‘My Mother’ an extract from ‘My Journey’.
‘My Mother’ is a moving account of his parents, especially his emotional attachment to his mother, Ashiamma, devoted her life to the service of the middle class joint family. His father’s earning was hardly enough to meet the needs of the family. Ashiamma cooked daily for the large extended family and served numerous guests who came to their house. She never annoyed or showed irritation despite the long hours of work. Often she gave her share of food to Kalam. She was a devoted Muslim who followed all the religious practices faithfully. She served the family and god with total commitment.

• Narrate two memories of Kalam, related to eating.

Ans: A.P.J.Abdulkalam, the former president of India, was basically a technical scientist. He was a prolific writer. He was called as a Vishwa guru, a missile man and the people’s President. Abdul Kalam was honored the nation’s highest civilian award for his contribution as a scientist. This is taken from the lesson ‘My Mother’ an extract from ‘My Journey’.

Kalam always like to eat more than others. his childhood was very happy. He was fond of eating food made by his mother especially the sambar which balances the sweet , soar and spicy taste. During world war time food was rationed and there was shortage of everything. Ashiamma made chapattis.  Kalam ate many chapattis but never thought of other’s needs. His elder brother scolded him for his thoughtless action for which kalam felt shameful and heartbreak for his beloved mother.

3. as an eight-year-old boy ______ the reasons in a paragraph.

Ans: A.P.J.Abdulkalam, the former president of India, was basically a technical scientist. He was a prolific writer.  He was called as a Vishwa guru, a missile man and the people’s President. Abdul Kalam was honored the nation’s highest civilian award for his contribution as a scientist. This is taken from the lesson ‘My Mother’ an extract from ‘My Journey’.

Kalam’s childhood was very happy one. When kalam was eight year old boy, he took the job of a newspaper boy. He used to go to Rameswaram Railway station three kilometers away to collect newspapers. During war time the express train which brings newspapers did not stop at Dhanushkoti. He used to collect the paper and be the first one to distribute the paper to the respective customers. At a tender age he understood the family needs and importance of money. He used his earnings to support the family.

• “—– the man whose side she _____ to kalam’s father.”

Ans:  A.P.J.Abdulkalam, the former president of India, was basically a technical scientist. He was a prolific writer. He was called as a Vishwa guru, a missile man and the people’s President. Abdul Kalam was honored the nation’s highest civilian award for his contribution as a scientist. This is taken from the lesson ‘My Mother’ an extract from ‘My Journey’.

Kalam’s mother, Ashiamma was an ideal partner to Jainulabedeen, Kalam’s father. She was gentle, pious woman and practical minded. She used to work hard day and night for the large family. She cooked and served for the guests without any sign of anger or irritation. She was a devout Muslim like her husband. She prayed namaz five times a day. She never complained though her husband’s income was just enough to support the family. Ager his father’s death, she could not bear the parting of her husband. The man whose side she had lived for over eighy years has passed away soon. She dedicated her life for the sake of the sake of the family.