Podcast Beta
Questions and Answers
What was Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam commonly known as during his presidency?
What primary lesson did Kalam learn from his father?
What incident does Kalam narrate involving a gift?
How long did Kalam's father live?
Signup and view all the answers
What professional role did Kalam hold before becoming president?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the main lesson the father taught regarding gifts?
Signup and view all the answers
What does Manu Smriti warn against regarding gifts?
Signup and view all the answers
What emotional response did the narrator have during the conflict with his father?
Signup and view all the answers
Which statement reflects the narrator's view on the significance of childhood lessons?
Signup and view all the answers
What physical response does the narrator have upon receiving a gift?
Signup and view all the answers
What role did the author's father hold after the panchayat elections?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the author witness his father do for the first time?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the significance of the gift left for the author's father?
Signup and view all the answers
How did the author and his siblings study at night?
Signup and view all the answers
What lesson did the author's father teach regarding accepting gifts?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the author's family's structure?
Signup and view all the answers
Why did the author shout for his mother during the incident?
Signup and view all the answers
What items were found in the tambalum that bothered the author's father?
Signup and view all the answers
What emotion did the author's father demonstrate upon receiving the gift?
Signup and view all the answers
When did the author's father get elected to the panchayat board?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
About Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
- Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam served as the eleventh President of India from 2002 to 2007 and was affectionately known as the "People's President."
- He was a prominent aeronautical engineer, contributing to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Ministry of Defence.
- Recognized as the "Missile Man of India," he played a pivotal role in developing ballistic missile and space-rocket technology, leading India’s nuclear tests in 1998.
- He received numerous awards, including the Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, and Bharat Ratna, and was a visiting professor at several academic institutions.
Childhood Lessons
- Kalam recounts a significant childhood incident involving a gift meant for his father, which he accepted without permission while his father was praying.
- This incident led to his father’s anger and a lesson on integrity and ethics: to never accept gifts without consent, emphasizing the importance of moral values.
- The lesson: "Work with integrity and succeed with integrity," was instilled in Kalam by his father.
Family and Community Values
- Kalam was raised in a joint family with siblings, surrounded by love and lessons from his parents.
- His father's election as a panchayat board member illustrates the principle of being recognized for personal character rather than community or economic status.
- Rameswaram, his hometown, had a population of about 30,000 and was described as a beautiful place.
Reflections on Gifts and Integrity
- An emotional response from his father reflected the weight of integrity over materialism when he discovered the accepted gift—a costly dhoti, fruits, and sweets.
- Kalam's father quoted an Islamic Hadith about divine provision and warned against taking anything beyond one's duty, particularly in public service.
- He highlighted a caution from Manu Smriti regarding accepting gifts, stating that it leads to obligations that may compromise an individual's judgment and actions.
Lasting Impact
- The incident left a profound impact on Kalam, affecting his life choices and ethical standards even into his later years.
- The message against accepting gifts with ulterior motives remains significant as a touchstone of character and integrity throughout one’s life journey.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Explore the life and teachings of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the People's President of India. This quiz covers his achievements in aerospace engineering and significant life lessons, particularly from his childhood. Test your knowledge about his contributions and moral values.