summary of the visit to Cambridge
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Answer:
A Visit to Cambridge is a travelogue written by Firdaus Kanga, a Mumbai-based journalist and writer. Despite being differently abled, he travelled to many places across the globe and never considered his disability as a hindrance. He was indeed an inspiration to the surrounding people. In this chapter, he shared one of his priceless visits to Cambridge University in England where he met Stephen Hawking, the most brilliant and completely paralysed astrophysicist. Hawking was the author of ‘A Brief History of Time’, which is one of the biggest bestsellers worldwide.
During a walking tour to Cambridge University, he heard about Stephen Hawking who was a genius astrophysicist with a disability. Mr Hawking had succeeded Sir Isaac Newton’s chair in the Physics Department at Cambridge University. After Firdaus was done with the walking tour, he had an urge to meet Stephen Hawking. So, he called at Hawking’s house and told the latter’s assistant that he had come all the way from India and was confined to a wheelchair. He expressed his desire to meet Stephen Hawking and also mentioned that he wanted to write a book based on his visit to England. Hearing this, the assistant gave him an appointment between 3:30 and 4 p.m. for the meeting.
When the author met Mr Hawking, he was surprised that such a brilliant astrophysicist was completely paralysed and confined to a wheelchair like him. He quickly composed himself and started asking a few questions to Mr Hawking. At first, he asked Mr Hawking how he dealt with things so courageously. To this, the genius replied that he had no other option than being brave and accept his current situation. However, he found it funny when people patronized him. Firdaus then enquired if Mr Hawking ever got annoyed if they disturb him. To this, Mr Hawking replied in the affirmative tone with a smile. As the author interviewed the astrophysicist, he realised that Mr Hawking appeared to be a man with a beautiful heart and soul to him.
Besides, the author also questioned Mr Hawking if he was unable to see the humility and kindness in the world due to his disability. Hawking agreed to this with Firdaus. Finally, the interview came to the end with a message for all the readers. Mr Hawking said that disabled people should focus on the good in themselves rather than over-thinking about their disability. They should not become over-zealous, instead concentrate on things they are good at. Saying so, Mr Hawking went into his garden. Thus, the author felt that his journey to England was not just inspiring, but successful too.
Explanation:
This is the story of a meeting between two disabled people. Both were extraordinary in their fields. Stephen Hawking is a great scientist though he suffers from paralysis. He is confined to a wheelchair and he can speak only with the help of a computer. Firdaus Kanga, the writer and journalist from Mumbai was bom with very weak and easily breakable bones. He too moves around in a wheelchair. He meets Hawking in England. The two had discussed how the so called normal people should look at the disabled.
The writer, Firdaus, was on a walking tour through Cambridge to UK. His guide told him about Stephen Hawking who was occupying Newton’s chair at the university. But Hawking was a disabled fellow. He wrote A Brief History of Time’, one of the bestsellers.
Firdaus phoned Hawking that he was from India and wanted to meet him and write about his travels in Britain. Hawking agreed to see him for half an hour. The thought of meeting somebody like him in a wheelchair, gave Firdaus courage. Both of them were disabled. Their bodies were disintegrating. Hawking had a little switch in his hand. He was able to move his finger to find the words on his computer. He felt exhausted very often. But his mind was brilliant and bubbling with thoughts.
Firdaus remarked that people often thought that disabled people were unhappy people. Hawking said that it was an amusing attitude. He admitted that he felt annoyed when another disabled person came and disturbed him in his work. The body in his case was just a box for the brilliant mind and soul. He did not see anything good about being disabled.
Seeing the poor condition of the great scientist, Firdaus felt great relief even though he could neither walk nor even stand. Hawking did not like the idea of the disabled Olympics. He thought that it was a waste of time. His advice to the disabled people was that they should concentrate on what they were good at.
Hawking made Firdaus spend one hour instead of half an hour with him, have tea and see his garden. He went about in his motorised wheelchair. Then the time came to depart. Firdaus got up to take leave of him. He could neither kiss Hawking nor cry. But he was convinced that the paralytic scientist was a symbol of bravery.