A Panorama of Life — Class 11
Chapter 4: A President Speaks
Author: Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
Q.1 Comprehension
(a) Short Answer Type Questions
1. Who have come and invaded India in 3000 years of its history?
According to Dr. Kalam, the Greeks, Turks, Mughals, Portuguese, British, French and Dutch came to India and invaded it. He also mentions Alexander.
2. When, according to Kalam, did India get its first vision of freedom?
According to Dr. Kalam, India got its first vision of freedom in 1857, when the First War of Independence began.
3. What is Kalam’s second vision for India?
Kalam’s second vision for India is development. He wants India to become a developed, self-reliant and self-assured nation rather than remain a developing country.
4. Why does Kalam want India to be a strong military and economic power?
Kalam believes that India must stand up to the world to earn respect. He says that strength respects strength and that India must be strong not only militarily but also economically.
5. What is India’s position regarding milk production and remote sensing satellites in the world?
In the speech, Kalam states that India is the world’s leading producer of milk and ranks first in remote sensing satellites.
6. What is India’s position in respect of the production of wheat and rice?
According to the speech, India is the second-largest producer of wheat and the second-largest producer of rice.
7. How do we behave while in Singapore?
In Singapore, Indians generally follow the rules, avoid throwing litter on the roads, respect public places and obey the system. Kalam contrasts this responsible behaviour abroad with their careless behaviour at home.
8. How do we behave while in Dubai?
Kalam points out that Indians respect local customs in Dubai. For example, they would not dare to eat publicly during Ramadan, showing that they can follow rules and respect traditions in a foreign country.
9. What did the ex-municipal commissioner of Bombay (Mumbai) tell Kalam?
The former municipal commissioner, Mr. Tinaikar, pointed out that wealthy people allowed their dogs to dirty the streets and then blamed the authorities for dirty pavements. He argued that people should take responsibility for cleaning up after their pets, as dog owners do in America and Japan.
10. What has every dog owner in America and Japan to do?
Every dog owner in America and Japan is expected to clean up after their pet has relieved itself.
11. What do we expect from railways and airlines?
We expect the railways to provide clean bathrooms and the airlines to provide good food and toiletries. However, Kalam criticises people who misuse facilities, steal items or fail to use public amenities properly.
12. What is our attitude towards burning social issues?
We often make loud protests about social issues such as dowry and discrimination against the girl child, but continue practising the same wrongs in our own homes. Kalam criticises this hypocrisy and our unwillingness to change ourselves.
(b) Long Answer Type Questions
1. What is Kalam’s vision for India?
Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam presents three visions for India: freedom, development and strength.
- Freedom: Kalam believes that India’s first vision is freedom. He refers to 1857 as the beginning of India’s first vision of freedom and urges Indians to protect, nurture and build upon it.
- Development: His second vision is to transform India into a developed nation. He points to India’s achievements in agriculture, science and technology but stresses the need for greater confidence and self-reliance.
- Strength: His third vision is that India must stand up to the world. He believes that India must be strong in both military and economic terms to earn international respect.
- Self-reliance: Kalam questions India’s obsession with imported goods and foreign technology. He argues that national self-respect comes from the ability to depend on our own capabilities.
- Citizens’ responsibility: Kalam calls upon every Indian to contribute to national development rather than simply criticise the government.
- Positive action: He urges citizens to improve the country through responsible behaviour, honesty and active participation in solving social problems.
Thus, Kalam dreams of an independent, developed, powerful and self-reliant India whose citizens take pride in their country and work sincerely for its progress.
2. What does he say about our behaviour in a foreign country?
Kalam criticises the difference between how Indians behave abroad and how they behave in their own country.
- Respect for rules: In countries such as Singapore, Indians follow traffic and public rules because they know that violations may result in penalties.
- Cleanliness: They avoid throwing litter on roads and in public places abroad.
- Respect for customs: In Dubai, they respect local customs, such as restrictions on public eating during Ramadan.
- Honesty: In foreign countries, they generally avoid bribery, cheating and other unlawful practices because they fear punishment.
- Civic responsibility: They respect public facilities and follow the systems established by local authorities.
- Contradictory behaviour: Kalam observes that the same people may throw rubbish on Indian roads, disregard rules and expect the government to solve every problem.
Kalam asks why Indians cannot show the same discipline, honesty and civic sense in their own country. He believes that responsible behaviour should not depend on where a person lives.
3. What does he say about our behaviour in our own country?
Kalam expresses disappointment with the irresponsible and contradictory behaviour of many Indian citizens.
- Constant criticism: People complain that the government is inefficient, laws are outdated, municipal services are poor and public transport does not work properly.
- Lack of personal responsibility: While criticising public services, citizens often ignore their own duties.
- Public cleanliness: People throw garbage on roads but expect municipal authorities to keep the streets clean.
- Misuse of facilities: They demand clean railway bathrooms and good airline services but may misuse facilities or steal items.
- Social hypocrisy: People publicly condemn dowry and other social evils but continue to support such practices within their families.
- Dependence on government: Citizens expect the government to solve every problem instead of contributing to the solution.
- Neglect of the system: Kalam explains that a system consists of ordinary people, families, communities and institutions. It cannot improve unless citizens change their own behaviour.
Kalam urges every Indian to stop blaming others and begin making positive contributions. He believes that national improvement begins with individual responsibility and honest action.
4. Write, in brief, the idea conveyed in this lesson.
The lesson conveys the message that every citizen must contribute to the development and improvement of the country.
- Three visions: Kalam presents freedom, development and national strength as his three visions for India.
- Confidence in India: He reminds Indians of their achievements in milk production, agriculture, science and technology.
- Self-reliance: He urges the country to develop confidence in its own abilities instead of depending excessively on foreign products and technology.
- Civic sense: Citizens must follow rules, keep public places clean and respect public property.
- Personal responsibility: People should not blame the government for every problem while ignoring their own duties.
- Social reform: Citizens must practise at home what they publicly advocate, especially regarding social issues such as dowry and the rights of girls.
- National service: Kalam calls on everyone to ask what they can do for India and then take practical steps to improve it.
The central message is that a developed India cannot be created by the government alone. It requires responsible, disciplined, honest and self-reliant citizens.
5. Write a note on ‘Social Responsibility’.
Social responsibility means recognising our duties towards society and working for the common good.
- Obeying rules: Citizens should follow laws and respect the rules that protect public safety.
- Maintaining cleanliness: Everyone should dispose of rubbish properly and help keep roads, parks and public places clean.
- Protecting public property: People should use public facilities carefully and avoid damaging or misusing them.
- Being honest: Citizens should reject bribery, cheating and other dishonest practices.
- Addressing social evils: People must oppose dowry, discrimination against girls and other harmful practices not only in public speeches but also in their own homes.
- Participating in democracy: Voting is important, but citizens must continue to fulfil their responsibilities after electing a government.
- Contributing to national development: Everyone should work sincerely in their own field and help solve problems rather than merely complain about them.
Dr. Kalam emphasises that the system consists of all of us. Therefore, social responsibility begins with individual conduct and grows through collective action.
Q.2 Vocabulary
1. Match the words under A with their meanings under B
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1. Vision | Dream picture |
| 2. Nurture | Bring up |
| 3. Remote | Distant |
| 4. Obsession | Craze, extreme liking |
| 5. Absolute | Complete |
| 6. Alien | Foreign, not native |
| 7. Pamper | Love or praise abnormally |
| 8. Rescue | Save |
| 9. Conscience | Voice of the soul |
| 10. Introspection | Self-analysis |
2. Form verbs from the following words
| Word | Verb |
|---|---|
| (i) Conquest | Conquer |
| (ii) Development | Develop |
| (iii) Growth | Grow |
| (iv) Achievement | Achieve |
| (v) Strength | Strengthen |
| (vi) Success | Succeed |
| (vii) Production | Produce |
| (viii) Examination | Examine |
| (ix) Choice | Choose |
| (x) Government | Govern |
Q.3 Grammar
1. Fill in each blank with a suitable modal
- A leader should be ready to accept responsibilities and practise self-discipline.
- She could not help me with my lessons.
- Take an umbrella with you; it might rain.
- May I come in, Sir?
- Would that I were a king!
2. Change the voice
(i) I cannot accept your offer.
Your offer cannot be accepted by me.
(ii) The panel asked me technical questions.
I was asked technical questions by the panel.
(iii) Alas! We shall hear her voice no more.
Alas! Her voice will be heard by us no more.
(iv) When will you pay your fees?
When will your fees be paid by you?
(v) Crafty men condemn studies.
Studies are condemned by crafty men.
3. Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verbs given in brackets
(i) Lions (not live) on fruits.
Simple present tense
Lions do not live on fruits.
(ii) A stitch in time (save) nine.
Simple present tense
A stitch in time saves nine.
(iii) My grandmother (accept) her seclusion with resignation.
Simple past tense
My grandmother accepted her seclusion with resignation.
(iv) Mohan does not have much money, so he (not buy) a car yet.
Present perfect tense
Mohan does not have much money, so he has not bought a car yet.
(v) The old man always (carry) an umbrella with him.
Simple past tense
The old man always carried an umbrella with him.