Dr. Kalam in his autobiography tells us about his childhood. One of the world’s greatest scientists. Dr. Kalam was born it to a middle-class Muslim family in 1931 at Rameswaram. His journey from a middle-class family in Rameswaram to the President’s House was not a smooth one.
He worked hard and faced all the odds of life. Born in a conservative society, his family, his teachers and his friends influenced Dr. Kalam in his childhood. His father, Jainulabdeen, was not much educated but he was very generous and a kind person. He was not rich but he provided Abdul with a happy and secure childhood. Abdul inherited honesty and self-discipline from his father.
Abdul earned his first wages by working as a helping hand to his cousin, Samsuddin who distributed newspapers in Rameswaram.
Apart from his parents, he was also influenced by some of his friends and teachers. He had three close friends, Ramanadha Sastry, Arvindan and Sivaprakasan. Once when he was in the fifth standard, a new teacher asked him not to sit in the front row along with the high caste Brahmin boys. Abdul found Ramanadha Sastry weeping as he went to the last row. This made a lasting impression on Abdul.
Abdul was deeply influenced by his science teacher, Sivasubramania Iyer. Abdul learnt the lesson of breaking social barriers from him. Iyer invited Abdul to his home for a meal. His wife was an orthodox Brahmin. She refused to serve a Muslim boy in her pure kitchen. Iyer served Abdul with his own hand and sat down beside him to eat his meal. He convinced his wife to serve meal with her own hands.
Now Abdul was grown up. His father sent him to the district headquarters in Ramanathapuram for higher studies. His father remarked, “Abdul! I know you have to go away and grow.” And thus began his journey.