The impact of Rameswaram is also there on the life of Kalam.He brought up imbibing both Muslims and Hindu cultures in the form of bed time stories by his mother and grandmother.
Social Ranking : When Kalam was in his 5th class at Rameswaram elementary school.Kalam and Ramanadha Sastry sat together in front row.The new teacher could not tolerate a Hindu boy sitting with a Muslim and Kalam was asked to sit at the back bench in accordance to his Social ranking.Both of them complained to their parents and the next day.Pakshi Lakshmana Sastry summoned the teacher saying that.
"You must not spread the poison of social inequality and communal intolerance in the minds of innocent Children".
PAKSHI LAKSHMANA SASTRY :
Siva Subramania Iyer: He belonged to an orthodox Brahmin family.His wife was a conservative lady.One day he invited Kalam to his house for a meal.His wife refused to serve.He served himself and sat down before Kalam.His wife watched them from behind the kitchen door.When Kalam was leaving his house,he invited Kalam for a meal again in the next week end.Next week,his wife invited Kalam inside her kitchen and served him food with her own hands.
Siva Subramania Iyer always says,
"Kalam,you must develop your skills so that you can compete with the highly educated people in big cities".
The thought of nativity developed in the mind of Kalam from his childhood onwards after listening to the words of Gandhiji.
"Indians would build their own India".After completing his education in Rameswaram Elementary School,he would like to go to Ramanadhapuram,and join Schwartz High School.
His father says :
"Abdul! Going away is a part of growing up.Our love will not bind you nor will our needs hold you".
Jallaludin inspired kalam by his words about the power of positive thinking.One should strive to control his/her thoughts and,through those,to influence his/her destiny.
Iyadurai Solomon :He was warm and open-minded,and he made his students fell comfortable in class.During Kalam's stay at Rameswaram,he become his mentor.He made him realise,among other thing's,that one could exercise enormous influence over the events of one's own life.
"With faith you can change your destiny".
Teachers at Schwartz High School—Iyadurai Solomon (standing, left) and Ramakrishna Iyer (sitting, right). |
They are the best examples of small-town Indian teachers committed to nurturing talent. |
The simple surroundings of Schwartz High School, Ramanathapuram.
Kalam was always fascinated by the mysteries contained in the skies and the flight of birds.Kalam had acquired a practical bent of mind.he used to stay in a hostel at St.Joseph's college.He had two roommates one an Orthodox Iyengar Brahmin from Srinagar,and the other a syrian Christian from Kerala.In this final year at St.Joseph's he acquired a taste for English literature and Philosophy.Kalam developed a keen interest in Physics.He joined B.Sc at St.Joseph's.At that time he had no knowledge of other areas of higher education or of Professional Courses.Later he realized that he needed to take up Engineering to realize his dreams.
