WBCHSE HS English Suggestion 2022- 'Strong Roots' (APJ Abdul Kalam) | Chapter wise suggestion

1.How does Dr. Kalam describe his neighbourhood?

Ans-In his autobiographical writing, ‘Strong Roots’, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam has given a description of his locality. He was born in Rameswaram, an island town. It was then a part of Madras state under the British rule. He lived in his ancestral house on the Mosque Street. Rameswaram was very famous to pilgrims because of the Shiva Temple which was near his house. The locality was predominantly Muslim. But a lot of Hindu families also lived there. People of both religions, the Hindus and the Muslims, lived in harmony and peace. In the locality, there was a very old mosque where his father would take him for evening prayers.

2.What picture of communal harmony do you find in the extract from APJ Abdul Kalam’s autobiography ?

Ans-In the autobiographical piece ‘Strong Roots’ Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam has presented a fine picture of communal harmony that prevailed in Rameswaram during his childhood days. Although Rameswaram was famous for the Shiva temple, there were mosques too. The locality in which Kalam lived was predominantly Muslim. But there were a lot of Hindu families, too, living amicably with their Muslim neighbours. Kalam recounts a vivid memory of his childhood. Pakshi Lakshmana Sastry, the high priest of Rameswaram temple, was an intimate friend of his father’s. Although they belonged to two different religious communities, they had friendly discussions on spiritual matters. There was no enmity or rivalry between them.

3. How does Dr. Kalam recount his father’s daily routine?

Ans.- In his autobiographical piece ‘Strong Roots, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam has expressed his great admiration for his father. He has described his father’s disciplined life. He recollects that his father would start his day at 4 am by reading the namaz before dawn. Thereafter his father would go to their small coconut grove on foot. It was about four miles from their ancestral home. He would return with a load of about a dozen coconuts. He would then have his breakfast. His father was so disciplined a man that he maintained this routine even in his late sixties.

4. Who was Pakshi Lakshamana Sastry? How was the relation between Pakshi Lakshamana and Kalam’s father? What does the relationship signify?

Ans.- Pakshi Lakshmana Sastry was the high priest of Rameswaram temple.

         Pakshi Lakshmana Sastry was a very intimate friend of Jainulabdeen, Kalam’s father.

        Kalam recounts one of the most vivid memories of his early childhood. Both Pakshi Lakshmana Sastry and Jainulabdeen were in their own traditional attire. They represented two distinctly different religions of the world. They would discuss spiritual matters. Their relationship shows the essence of religion. It brings the message of tolerance and love. This relationship also signifies unity in diversity.

5. What did Kalam’s father tell him about the relevance of prayers?

Ans.- When Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam attained the age to ask questions, he asked his father about the relevance of prayer. His father told Kalam that there was nothing mysterious about prayer. He regarded prayer as a means of communion of the spirit between people. Through prayer, a man can go beyond his bodily existence and become a part of the cosmos. The cosmos knows no division of wealth, age, caste or creed, Thus Kalam’s father justified the relevance of prayer.

6. “Why don’t you say this to the people who come to you…?” Who says this and to whom? What is referred to by the word ‘this’? Why do the people come to the person spoken to?

Ans.- APJ Abdul Kalam, the writer of the prose piece ‘Strong Roots’, says this to his father Jainul Abedin.
Kalam’s father told Kalam that one should not be afraid of sufferings and problems in life because adversity or hostile situation always brings the opportunity for self analysis. On the other hand, one should try to understand the relevance of his sufferings in life. This wise explanation of Kalam’s father is referred to by this.
People came to Kalam’s father for spiritual help whenever they were in distress and in adverse situations and he used to help them with prayers and offerings.