► Strong Roots (Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam) :
Q. What was Kalam’s Father’s response to his son’s query about prayer and spirituality ?
Ans:-Kalam went to the nearest Mosque for evening prayer with his father. But he could not understand the Arabic chanting of the prayer. But he convinced that this prayer directly reached the God. When he becomes old enough he asked the relevance of prayer. His father answered that there was no mystery in prayer. He said that prayer was a communion of the inner sprite. One could become a part of the universe through prayer. It enables the man to go beyond the age, Wealth, cast or creed.His father advised him not to be worried in facing problems and suffering because in adverse situation, man can analyze himself.
Q. How did his father’s attitude to adversity influence to young Kalam ?
Ans:-In the “Strong Roots” Kalam advised the readers how to be courageous in troubles. His father’s deep thought influenced Kalam. His father was a very simple man. He advises that one could be able to judge himself in adversity. He would realise what he was and what were his faults. He could analyse his present condition. He analysed complicated mater in a simple way. He told Kalam that every human being is a part of the universe. He advises not to afraid of fusing troubles and suffering. Only then one could realise the relevance of his sufferings. Thus the thoughts of his father influence young Kalam highly.
Q. “I have endeavoured to understand that fundamental truths revealed to me by my father.” What was the fundamental truth? Who revealed it to him ?
Ans:-In the piece “Strong Roots”, Abdul Kalam expressed how to achieve the dream. He followed his father Jainulabdeen from his childhood. His father was immense wisdom and a true spirit. The fundamental truth was that there was the existence of divine power. It helped to overcome everyone from all confusion, misery, melancholy and failure. This divine power is eternal.
His father explained him that through payer one could become a part of the universe. It enables the man to go beyond the age, cast, wealth or creed. This was the fundamental truth. It was revealed to Abdul Kalam by his father, Jainulabdeen.
Q. Give an account of the author’s reminiscences of his early life at Rameswaram.
Ans:-The author remembers that he was one of many children and a short boy with undistinguished looks. His father and mother were ideal helpmates. They lived in a house built with limestone and brick on Mosque Street in Rameswaram. His father was an austere person and avoided non-essential comforts. He used to eat with his mother who served rice, sambar, pickle and chutney on a banana leaf. The Hindus and Muslims lived there amicably. His father used to take him to the mosque for prayer, but he did not understand the Arabic prayers. His father touched water in bowls which people, who came to meet his father, carried home. His father and the priest of Rameswaram temple were close friend and discussed matters.
Q. Does a man have any relation with the universe? How, according to the author’s father, can a man establish a link with the cosmos?
Ans:-Various religious leaders, seers, philosophers, poets have claimed that man is an infinitesimal part of the almighty soul which is omnipresent and pervades the universe. The author’s believes that we have an intimate relation with the universe.
The Hindus have all along believed this. The author’s father also says that every human being is a specific element within the whole of the manifest divine Being. According to him it is through prayer that we can transcend our body and establish a link with the cosmos.
Q. What was Kalam’s father’s advice about dealing with adversity?
Ans:-Kalam’s father could convey complex spiritual concepts in a very simple down to earth Tamil. He once told Kalam that in his own place, in own time – every human being is a specific element within the whole of the manifest divine Being. So one should not be afraid of difficulties, sufferings and problems. When troubles come, one should try to understand the relevance of those sufferings. He always told Kalam that adversity always presents opportunities for introspection.
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Kabir Mondal 