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Short summary of the chapter: My Childhood
This chapter is written by Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. He shares memories from his childhood. He was born in Rameswaram, which is an island town in Tamil Nadu. He belonged to a middle-class Tamil Muslim family. His father’s name was Jainulabdeen, and his mother’s name was Ashiamma.
His father was not very rich and had little education, but he was wise and kind. His mother was very generous and gave food to many people every day.
Kalam lived in a big, old house on Mosque Street. His family was simple but gave him everything he needed. He had a happy and safe childhood.
When the Second World War started in 1939, he was eight years old. He collected tamarind seeds and sold them to a shop for one anna each day. His cousin Samsuddin gave him his first job—helping to catch newspaper bundles from the moving train.
Kalam had three close friends—Ramanadha Sastry, Aravindan, and Sivaprakasan. They were all Hindu Brahmins, but they never felt different from each other. Once, a new teacher asked Kalam to sit at the back because he was a Muslim. His friend Ramanadha Sastry cried, and his father Lakshmana Sastry scolded the teacher and told him not to teach inequality.
Another kind teacher was Sivasubramania Iyer, who wanted Kalam to learn like children in big cities. He invited Kalam for dinner. His wife refused to serve food to a Muslim boy. But the teacher served Kalam himself. Later, his wife changed and served him with her own hands.
At the end of the chapter, Kalam says he wanted to study in Ramanathapuram. His father supported him and told his mother that children must grow and follow their own path.
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Detailed summary of the chapter: My Childhood
1. Birth and Family Background: Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was born in the island town of Rameswaram in the erstwhile Madras State (now Tamil Nadu). He belonged to a middle-class Tamil Muslim family. His father’s name was Jainulabdeen, and his mother was Ashiamma. His father was not rich or highly educated, but he was wise and kind. His mother had a big heart and fed many people every day, even outsiders.
2. Simple and Happy Childhood: Kalam was a short boy with ordinary looks, while both his parents were tall and good-looking. He lived in their ancestral pucca house on Mosque Street. The house was made of brick and limestone. His father was strict and simple, but the family always had enough food, clothes, and medicine. Kalam said he had a safe and secure childhood.
3. First Job During the War: In 1939, when World War II started, Kalam was eight years old. Suddenly, tamarind seeds became valuable. Kalam collected and sold them and earned one anna per day. Later, when the train stop at Rameswaram was cancelled, his cousin Samsuddin, who distributed newspapers, asked Kalam to help catch bundles thrown from the moving train. This was how Kalam earned his first wages, and he felt proud.
4. Friendship and Unity: Kalam had three best friends: Ramanadha Sastry, Aravindan, and Sivaprakasan. They were all from Hindu Brahmin families, but they never let religion come between them. Their friendship showed that children are pure and don’t see differences in religion or caste.
5. Discrimination and Change: One day in class five, a new teacher told Kalam to sit at the back because he was a Muslim. His friend Ramanadha Sastry was sad and cried. They told their parents. Pakshi Lakshmana Sastry, Ramanadha’s father, scolded the teacher and asked him to apologise or leave. The teacher later changed his behaviour.
6. Supportive Science Teacher: Kalam’s science teacher, Sivasubramania Iyer, was an orthodox Brahmin but was kind and forward-thinking. He wanted Kalam to get a good education like city students. He once invited Kalam for dinner at home. But his wife refused to serve food to a Muslim boy. The teacher served Kalam himself and sat beside him. Next week, when Kalam visited again, the wife served him food herself, showing a big change in her thinking.
7. Leaving Home to Study: After World War II ended, India was about to get freedom. Kalam wanted to go to Ramanathapuram for higher studies. His father agreed. He told Kalam’s mother that children must be free to grow. He quoted Khalil Gibran, saying that children come through parents but do not belong to them.
This chapter gives a strong message of love, equality, education, and freedom. It also shows how childhood events can shape a great person’s life.
Pointwise summary of the chapter: My Childhood
1. Abdul Kalam was born in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, in a middle-class Tamil Muslim family.
2. His father Jainulabdeen was wise and kind, and his mother Ashiamma was generous and fed many people.
3. Kalam lived in a big pucca house on Mosque Street and had a secure and happy childhood.
4. In 1939, when World War II started, he earned his first wages by helping his cousin Samsuddin deliver newspapers.
5. He had three close friends—Ramanadha Sastry, Aravindan, and Sivaprakasan—from Hindu Brahmin families.
6. A new teacher once made him sit at the back because he was a Muslim, which made Ramanadha cry.
7. Lakshmana Sastry, Ramanadha’s father, scolded the teacher for his wrong thinking and changed his attitude.
8. Kalam’s science teacher, Sivasubramania Iyer, invited him for dinner, but his wife refused to serve him.
9. The teacher served him himself, and next time, his wife served Kalam, showing her changed mindset.
10. After World War II, Kalam wanted to study in Ramanathapuram, and his father lovingly supported his decision.