My Childhood Notes Chapter 6 Class 9 English

Notes For All Chapters English Beehive Class 9

Author: Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

Source: Extract from Wings of Fire (Autobiography)

About the Author

• Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was a famous Indian scientist and the 11th President of India.
• He worked in the fields of space, defence, and nuclear technology.
• His life is an inspiration to all young people.
• The chapter is an extract from his autobiography “Wings of Fire”, where he describes his childhood days in Rameswaram.

Setting: Rameswaram

• A small island town in the erstwhile Madras State (now Tamil Nadu).
• It was simple, religious, and traditional, but people were kind-hearted.
• Social divisions existed but some people tried to overcome them.

Kalam’s Family and Early Life

• Born into a middle-class Tamil Muslim family.

1. Father – Jainulabdeen:

• • Had little formal education and no wealth.
  • Possessed great wisdom, honesty, and generosity.
  • Lived a simple (austere) life.

2. Mother – Ashiamma:

• • Very kind and generous.
  • Fed many outsiders daily.
• Kalam lived in their large ancestral house made of limestone and brick.
• His childhood was secure, both materially and emotionally.

Early Work and the Second World War

• The Second World War (1939) started when Kalam was 8 years old.
• He began collecting tamarind seeds and selling them to earn money – his first earning was one anna.
• Later, he helped his cousin Samsuddin distribute newspapers when train stops were suspended due to the war.
• He felt proud to earn his first wages.

Values and Family Influence

• Every child inherits some traits and learns from surroundings.
• Kalam inherited honesty and self-discipline from his father.
• From his mother, he learned faith in goodness and kindness.
• He had three brothers and one sister who shared the same values.

Childhood Friends

His close friends:

1. 1. Ramanadha Sastry – son of a temple priest (later became a priest).
   2. Aravindan – arranged transport for pilgrims.
   3. Sivaprakasan – became a catering contractor for Southern Railways.

Although they belonged to different religions (Hindu and Muslim), they had no sense of discrimination or difference.

Religious Harmony and Community Life

• Kalam’s family helped during Shri Sita Rama Kalyanam, a Hindu ceremony, by arranging boats for carrying idols.
• His mother and grandmother told him stories from both the Ramayana and the Prophet’s life.
• This showed communal harmony and mutual respect between religions.

The Incident with the New Teacher

• A new teacher once told Kalam to sit at the back because he was Muslim and was sitting next to a Brahmin boy.
• This made both Kalam and his friend sad.
• Ramanadha Sastry’s father (Lakshmana Sastry) reprimanded the teacher and said he should not spread social inequality.
• The teacher apologised and changed his attitude.
• This event showed the importance of standing against discrimination.

Science Teacher – Sivasubramania Iyer

• Kalam’s science teacher was an orthodox Brahmin but had a liberal mind.
• He wanted Kalam to grow and succeed like educated people from cities.
• Once, he invited Kalam for a meal at his house.
  • His wife refused to let a Muslim boy eat in her kitchen.
  • Iyer served Kalam with his own hands and stayed calm.
  • The next week, the wife herself served Kalam food – showing change in attitude through example and kindness.
• Iyer taught Kalam to face social barriers bravely.

🇮🇳 End of War and New Hope

• After the Second World War, India’s freedom was near.
• Gandhiji’s words – “Indians will build their own India” – filled the country with hope and optimism.
• Kalam wanted to study further in Ramanathapuram.
• His father encouraged him, saying he must fly like a seagull to grow.
• He quoted Khalil Gibran:”Your children are not your children… They come through you but not from you.”
• This shows Kalam’s father’s broad and wise thinking.

Main Themes

1. Simplicity and Humility – The Kalam family lived simply but with dignity.
2. Hard Work and Self-Reliance – Kalam started working at a young age.
3. Communal Harmony – Friendship beyond religion.
4. Equality and Humanity – True human values are above caste and religion.
5. Education and Mentorship – Teachers play a key role in shaping life.
6. Family Values – Parents’ teachings influence a child’s character deeply.