How did Kalam’s father influence Kalam’s perception and interpretation of divine power? How, according to Abdul Kalam, can an individual achieve freedom, happiness and peace of mind?

In the prose piece ‘Strong Roots’ extracted from Kalam’s autobiography ‘Wings of Fire’, we see how Kalam’s father’s wisdom and practical teachings played a pivot role in shaping Kalam’s life. Kalam had himself said that he had tried to emulate his father in his own world of science and technology. The belief in the existence of a divine power grew in Kalam through his father’s moralistic teachings. Jainulabdeen teachings helped Kalam to overcome confusion, misery, melancholy, failure and guided him to his true place. Kalam’s father influenced Kalam’s perception and interpretation of divine power, thereby helping him to prosper in life.

According to Kalam, an individual can achieve freedom, happiness and peace of mind only if he/ she detaches himself/herself from the emotional and physical bond.

What do you learn from APJ Abdul Kalam’s autobiography?

OR, What sign of great innate wisdom and true generosity of spirit do we find in ‘Strong Roots?

‘Strong Roots’ gives us insights into the factors that shaped the mind of the great personality, APJ Abdul Kalam.

He was greatly influenced by his father who taught him the values of a simple, austere and disciplined life. 

He imbibed the spirit of generosity by observing his mother, Ashiamma, feeding a large number of outsiders every day.

The locality, where he grew up, taught him religious tolerance because Hindus and Muslims lived there amicably. His father, Jainulabdeen, often held discussions on religious matters with his close friend, Pakshi Lakshmana Shastry, the high priest of Rameswaram temple.

Jainulabdeen taught his son that human life is an essential part of the great divine spirit, and all troubles and deprivations have their relevance. Adversities should not be feared for they provide man with opportunities for introspection.

These moral teachings helped Abdul Kalam to formulate a clear vision of life, that, if one can sever emotional and physical bonds, one can achieve true salvation. 

Thus we learn how right teaching, proper upbringing in a congenial atmosphere can shape a great mind and help it to advance towards future greatness.

How does Abdul Kalam express his gratitude towards his father?


In ‘Strong Roots’ Abdul Kalam wrote about his father in high praise. Neither his father had formal education nor was he rich yet he possessed great innate wisdom and a truly generous spirit. Kalam’s all necessities were fulfilled and he considered his childhood to be a secured one. He remembered his father conveying complex spiritual concepts in simple Tamil. His father’s teaching of not to fear difficulties, sufferings and problems helped him throughout his life. He used his father’s teaching in his own world of science and technology. It was his father’s teachings that made him believe that there exists a divine power that can lift one up from confusion, misery, melancholy and failure and guide one to one’s actual place. This is how Abdul Kalam expressed his gratitude towards his father.

Discuss the central idea of the story “Thank You Ma’am.”

Discuss the significance of the title of “Thank You Ma’am”.

What features of the character of Mrs Luella Bates are exposed in the short story “Thank You Ma’am”?

“The boy wanted to say something else other than “Thank you, ma’am” to Mrs Luella Bates Washington Jones’ – Who was the boy? Why did he want to say something else other than “Thank you, Ma’am” to the woman?

Sketch the character of Roger.

“…and shook him until his teeth rattled.” Who is mentioned as “him'”? Who shook him? Why was he shaken?

“I’m very sorry, lady, I’m sorry,”—Who said this to whom? Was the speaker really sorry? Why did he apologise?

“You ought to be my son. I would teach you right from wrong.”-Who speaks to whom? 35 Did the speaker manage to teach what he/she claimed to teach? Give reasons for your answer.

“I would teach you right from wrong.”-Who said this, to whom and when? How did the speaker transform the person spoken to here?

“When I get through with you, sir, you are going to remember Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones.”-Why do you think the woman would prove to be unforgettable for Roger and what kind of a person would he remember her as?

“Sweat popped out on the boy’s face and he began to struggle.”-When did sweat pop out on the boy’s face? Why did he struggle? What next happened to the boy?

“You gonna take me to jail?”-Who said this? Why did the speaker think so? Was the speaker eventually taken to jail? If not, why?

“I wanted a pair of…shoes.”-What reply did the speaker get and how did he react?

“You could of asked me.”-What did the speaker expect to be asked? What light does it throw upon the character of the speaker?

“He could make a dash for it down the hall. He could run, run, run, run, run!”-Where do these lines occur? Who is the speaker? Who is he’? Why didn’t he run?

“I have done things, too,”—Who said this to whom? What do you think the speaker has done? Why did the speaker say this to the listener?