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I. Chapter Summary:

“My Childhood” is an autobiographical excerpt from the life of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, India’s 11th President and a renowned scientist. It narrates incidents from his early life in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu. Dr. Kalam shares how values such as honesty, simplicity, tolerance, and hard work shaped his personality. He highlights the communal harmony in his town, how he was encouraged by his teachers and family, and the discrimination he faced as a Muslim boy. The chapter conveys how childhood experiences, education, and mentorship can influence a person’s future.

II. Key Concepts Covered:

Concept	Explanation
Tolerance and Harmony	The coexistence of different religions in Kalam’s community is emphasized.
Early Influence	The values taught by Kalam’s parents and teachers shaped his character.
Education and Mentorship	The encouragement from teachers like Sivasubramania Iyer helped shape his aspirations.
Overcoming Discrimination	Kalam faced religious discrimination but chose resilience and positivity.
Vision and Simplicity	Despite humble beginnings, Kalam dreamed big and stayed grounded.

III. Important Questions:

(A) Multiple Choice Questions (1 Mark):

1. Where was Dr. Kalam born?
   a) Chennai
   b) Rameswaram ✅
   c) Coimbatore
   d) Kanyakumari
2. What profession did Kalam’s father follow?
   a) Doctor
   b) Priest
   c) Boat owner and imam ✅
   d) Teacher
3. Which teacher encouraged Kalam to pursue higher studies?
   a) Pakshi Lakshmana Sastry
   b) Sivasubramania Iyer ✅
   c) Kalam’s father
   d) None of these
4. What lesson did Kalam’s father teach him?
   a) Dream big
   b) Be religious
   c) Respect all religions ✅
   d) Avoid friends

(B) Short Answer Questions (2/3 Marks):

1. What religious harmony is shown in Kalam’s story?
2. Describe Kalam’s early schooling and friends.
3. How did Kalam’s science teacher inspire him?
4. What was Kalam’s reaction to religious discrimination at school?
   – PYQ 2020

(C) Long Answer Questions (5 Marks):

1. “Childhood experiences shape our character.” Discuss with reference to My Childhood.
2. How did Kalam’s family influence his values and dreams?
3. Explain the significance of Sivasubramania Iyer in Kalam’s life.
4. Discuss the values of tolerance and secularism as highlighted in the story.
   – PYQ 2021

(D) HOTS (Higher Order Thinking Skills):

1. What would you have done in Kalam’s place when he was made to sit at the back bench?
2. How does Kalam’s story inspire students to overcome limitations and dream big?

IV. Key Formulas/Concepts:

 Not applicable for literature chapters.

 However, important values & terms include:

Term	Explanation
Mentorship	Guidance from elders and teachers.
Communal Harmony	Peaceful coexistence of different religions.
Resilience	Staying strong despite challenges.
Secularism	Equal treatment of all religions.

V. Deleted Portions (CBSE 2025–2026):

 No portions have been deleted from this chapter as per the rationalized NCERT textbooks.

VI. Chapter-Wise Marks Bifurcation (Estimated – CBSE 2025–2026):

Unit/Chapter	Estimated Marks	Type of Questions Typically Asked
Chapter 6: My Childhood	5–6 marks	1 Long Answer or 2 Short Answers + 1 MCQ or HOTS

VII. Previous Year Questions (PYQs):

Year	Marks	Question
2020	3	Describe Kalam’s views on religious discrimination.
2021	5	How did Kalam’s teachers and upbringing contribute to his success?

VIII. Real-World Application Examples to Connect with Topics:

Context	Connection
Education & Character Building	The chapter is a model for value-based learning.
Diversity & Inclusion	Encourages religious harmony and respect for all.
Inspirational Biographies	Shows how humility and dedication can lead to greatness.
National Integration	Reinforces secularism and unity in diversity.

IX. Student Tips & Strategies for Success:

 Time Management:

• Allocate 10 minutes for reading and 15 minutes for summarizing important incidents.
• Use a value chart: 1 column for each character trait inspired by Kalam.

 Exam Preparation:

• Practice character sketch and value-based long answers.
• Revise PYQs, especially those highlighting values and role models.
• Memorize key quotes or moral lines.

 Stress Management:

• Reflect on your own childhood lessons—write them as mini-biographies.
• Use Kalam’s values like perseverance and humility as personal goals.

X. Career Guidance & Exploration:

For Classes 9–10:

Stream	Career Paths
Science	Aerospace Engineer, Scientist, Teacher
Humanities	Civil Servant, Motivational Speaker, Historian
Commerce	Ethical Entrepreneur, CSR Manager

• Relevant Exams & Competitions:
  • NTSE
  • Kalam Young Achiever Awards
  • CBSE Reading Challenge
  • Science Olympiads

XI. Important Notes:

•  Refer to NCERT official site for the latest syllabus and sample papers.

 Kalam’s life is not just a story but a blueprint for success and humility.

•  Use story examples in speeches, essays, and value-based questions.
•  A quote to remember: “We should not give up and we should not allow the problem to defeat us.” – Dr. Kalam