answer in 40-50 words:
“The small society of Rameshwaram was very rigid in terms of segregation of different social groups.” How did the elementary school teacher show this discrimination and what was the result of his actions?
Answers
Answer:
Explanation:
1.
i)
The author mentions the Hindus and Muslim living in Rameshwaram . These groups could be identified easily. The Muslims could be identified by their cap ; the Hindus by their sacred thread.
ii) The Hindus and Muslims were aware of the differences between them. But they lived together in a friendly manner. For example Kalam had three good friends who were all Brahmins . His mother used to tell him bedtime stories from the Ramayana. During the annual wedding ceremony of Rama and Sita, their family used to arrange boats for carrying the idols of Rama. All this shows that the two communities live together in love and peace.
iii) The author mentions two of his teachers. One of them was a new teacher. He knew from Kalam’s cap that he was a Muslim. He saw him sitting in the front row with a Brahmin boy. He at once ask Kalam to go and sit on the back bench.
The Other teacher was Kalam's science teacher . He was a Brahmin. He was against all social barriers. He wanted to break these barriers. One day he invited Kalam to his house for a meal. The teacher's wife was a conservative lady. She refused to serve Kalam in her kitchen. The teachers served Kalam with his own hands. But the next time the Teacher's wife took Kalam inside her kitchen . She served him there with her own hands.
Thus the author shows that there were both kinds of people. There were those who were aware of the differences. There were also those who tried to bridge those differences.
iv) The author narrates two incidents from his school days. A new teacher has joined Kalam's School. He knew from Kalam's cap that he was a Muslim. He saw him sitting in the front row with a Brahmin boy. He at once asked Kalam to go and sit on the back bench.
But Kalam science teacher was quite the opposite. He was against all social barriers. He wanted to break them. His wife was a conservative lady. One day the teacher invited Kalam for a meal at his house. His wife refused to serve Kalam in her kitchen. The teacher did not get angry. He served Kalam with his own hands. The next time Kalam noticed a great change in the Teacher's wife. She took alarm inside her kitchen. She served him there with her own hands.
These two incidents show how differences can be created and how they can be resolved. By following the way of Kalam's science teacher, people can change the attitude. We are all the children of the same God. We all eat and drink in the same manner.
2.
i) After the second world war , it seemed certain that India would have her freedom.Gandhiji had said ,”Indians will build their own India.” Everybody was feeling inspired. Kalam decided to go to Ramanathapuram for further studies. That was why he wanted to leave Rameswaram. And he asked for his father's permission.
ii) Kalam's father was very happy at this
He at once gave his consent. He knew that it would help Kalam to grow. Kalam's mother was a little hesitant. But the father said to her,” Your children are not your children. They come Through you but not from you. You may give them your love but not your thoughts.” The father believed that a child must have his own independent thoughts. He should not copy others blindly.
iii) The father's words are full of deep wisdom. The young one of a bird can never learn to fly until and unless it leaves its nest.The father wanted his son not to be confined to his own home. He wanted him to belong to the entire humanity.