Question

From Rameshwaram to the Rashtrapati Bhavan, it’s been a long journey. Taking to Nona Walia

on the eve of Teacher’s Day, President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam talks about life’s toughest

lessons learnt and his mission being a teacher to the Indian youth. “A proper education would

help nurture a sense of dignity and self–respect among our youth,” says President Kalam.

There’s still a child in him though, and he’s still curious about learning new things. Life’s a

mission for President Kalam. Nonetheless, he remembers his first lesson in life and how it

changed his destiny.

“I was studying in Standard V and must have been all of 10. My teacher, Sri Sivasubramania

Iyer was telling how birds fly. He drew a diagram of a bird on the blackboard, depicting the

wings, tail and the body with the head and then explained how birds soar to the sky. At the end

of the class, I said I didn’t understand. Then he asked the other students if they had understood,

but nobody had understood how birds fly,” he recalls.

“That evening, the entire class was taken to Rameshwaram shore,” the President continues,

“My teacher showed us sea birds. We saw marvellous formations of them flying and how their

wings flapped. Then my teacher asked us, ‘Where is the bird’s engine and how is it powered?’

I knew then that birds are powered by their own life and motivation. I understood all about

birds’ dynamics.”

1. When did Nona Walia talk to the President Dr. A. P.J. Abdul Kalam?

2. What did the teacher draw on the blackboard?

3. What did Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam learn when the entire class was taken to the

Rameswaram shore?

4. Which words in the passage mean the following:

(i) fate

(ii) forces that produce movement.

5. What inspiration do you gain after reading about Dr. Kalam’s experiences as a student?​

Answer 1

Rashtrapati Bhavan is the official residence of the President of India.

Explanation:

• APJ Abdul kalam stayed in Rashtrapati Bhavan when he became the president of India.
• He was so humble and nice that the staff of Rashtrapati Bhavan even remembers him today.  
• Though he was the president of India, he didn't live a lavish life.
• He followed a very simple lifestyle throughout his reign.  

Answer 2

Answer:

abdhul calam is the best

Explanation: