A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

          A. P. J. Abdul Kalam was one of the greatest souls of India who proved himself as a universal personality. He was a spirit. He is an inspiration. He is a spirit. He is a motivation to all people. He was a scientist and President of India in his lifetime. He started his life as a scientist but co-incidentally he became the President of India. He was people’s President without having any stamp of politics at his back. He was the 11^th President of Indian democracy.

          Kalam was born in Tamil Nadu at Rameswaram in the year 1931 on October 15.He took his graduation with Physics from St. Joseph College. He also attended Madras Institute of Technology. He had versatile genius. He was a professor, an aerospace engineer and a writer .The Wings of Fire is a famous book of inspiration written by him. Kalam was a normal student in his school. But he had an intelligent brain. He was very diligent. He had a keen desire to acquire knowledge. He studied for hours and practised math. In 1955 he came to Madras and joined Madras Institute of Technology .Here he learnt aerospace engineering .When he was doing  senior class project the Dean  of the Institution  was unpleasant to him. He feared Kalam if he would not finish his work within three days then his scholarship would be rejected. Kalam finished the work within three days. His Dean was pleased to him. Later his Dean expressed his feeling to Kalam through a letter. He missed the chance to become a pilot for war. He was 9th in the exam but there were only eight posts.

          In 1960 he appointed as a scientist in DRDO in Aeronautical Development Establishment section .In this institution he started his life through making a small Hovercraft’s sketch. Kalam worked under eminent scientist Dr. Vicram  Saravai  in Indian Space Research Committee. He was transferred to ISRO in 1969.There he worked on artificial satellites .In 1965 he worked independently on a rocket at DRDO. After getting government’s approval with some technologists he scattered this programme in 1969.He visited NASA’s many centres. He tried to create Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and SLV-iii. He succeeded in his work.

          After staying five years successfully he came back to the life of educationist, writer and social worker. He got many prestigious awards .He was awarded with Bharat Ratna. He was the eleventh president of India. The Government of Tamil Nadu declared an award him with the name of A. P. J. Abdul Kalam. This is an annual prize. The value of this award is five hundred thousand Indian rupees. There are a certificate and a gold medal also. This award is given in the occasion of Independence Day every year. Every year Tamil Nadu government celebrate his birthday as ``Youth Awakening Day’’.

          Kalam was an instant inspiration to Indian mass. People like him have a great impact to life and society. His motivational words are till now very vibrant. In future also they will exist with their divine sparkle. He died on 27 July, 2015.The cause was simple. It was a heart attack. The mortal death is not everything. People like them will be always with us through their valuable works and as a beautiful memory.

Curiosity

          Curiosity is an urge to know the unknown. It is an inborn quality of man. This quality makes him different from other animals. This has also made him the master of the universe. Man’s curiosity is limitless. It is really a discovery behind many a discovery and invention. The rise of men of science to great eminence is due to their curiosity. But this sometimes leads to danger and degeneration. It when unhealthy, is always ruinous. Hence, it should be always constructive, creative and healthy. It should always lead one to something good and great. In short. It should always be motivated by noble spirit.

UNITY

           Unity means oneness, state of acting and living together. It is nothing but collective strength. A man may be physically strong. But, he cannot protect himself from a gang of robbers. An individual is a part of society. Naturally, individual strength is nothing when compared with the collective strength of the society. ‘United we stand, divided we fall’ is a proverb. The importance of the proverb is applicable to every man, every nation and every country. Unity begets strength. It helps to achieve peace and prosperity. Disunity, on the other hand, causes weakness and ruin. Unity is a must in national sphere. It leads a nation towards progress. Hence, unity is of great necessity for India today. It will make India strong and progressive.

The Handicapped and Their Problems

          There are many handicapped persons in our society. While some are born with defective organs, some are victims of diseases or accidents, Thus, they are deprived of the pleasures of enjoying a normal life. Unfortunately, those who are fit, look down upon those around them. Nothing can be more heartless than this. But; they must be encouraged to face life boldly and to feel that life still holds charms for them. Given enough opportunity, they may be able to earn their living with dignity. Many examples of this may be cited in this connection. Fortunately, attitude of the society towards them is gradually changing. This is always welcome.

The Future of English in India

          The British introduced their language in India arid made it the medium of instruction, But, even after the departure of the British, the language has taken its deep root into the Indian soil. It still retains its importance even today. It Is admitted by all that mother-tongue is the best medium of, instruction. But, higher education is possible only through the medium of English. Our other regional languages are not so developed. Hindi can never replace English. So. We cannot avoid English from the system of our education. For this, the study of English in schools of our country is gradually spreading. But. the language should be taught effectively in schools.

Your Village at Night

          If there is heaven on this earth, it is surely in my village. This is indeed true. My village becomes a wonderland as soon as evening descends on the earth. A cool breeze begins to blow then. The western sky becomes crimson. River Kunti takes a different hue. Birds begin to wing their way home. But, at midnight a complete silence reigns supreme. Little stars twinkle in the sky. Yet, complete darkness engulfs the four corners of the earth. Jackals howl. Dogs also bark. But, there are occasional drums at night. The silence of the village is suddenly broken by the shouts, ‘Thief, Thief. The scene is completely changed. Slowly the night draws to its close. Dawn approaches. Birds chirp. Struggle for existence of the villagers start again.

Town Life

          If God made the country, man made the town. At first, there were villages. But towns sprang up with the growth of population and rapid industrialization. They began to otter a handful of advantages and facilities for proper treatment, good education, art and culture, recreation and relaxation, trade and commerce etc. Job opportunities are also there. Even a poor finds his own way to live somehow. For all these reasons, people of these days prefer life in a modern town or city. Still, there are some dark aspects of a town life. A town is often crowded, congested, and potholed. Charms of the life seem to be lost in a busy Town-life.

The Necessity of Physical Fitness

          Good health is a treasure. Wealth is of little importance to a person of ill-health, because, he may have a soft bed, but he cannot enjoy sound sleep at night. On the other hand, a poor but healthy man is more happy. After his day’s hard work, he enjoys his food and sleep. Similarly, a scholar with a broken body comes to no use to the world. He cannot stand any physical or mental strain of any work. “A sound n.ind in a sound body” — goes the proverb. This is true. A balanced food, regular exercise, disciplined life, balanced diet etc. are helpful for keeping our body fit. Hence, we must be physically fit to use it for the welfare of mankind.

A Visit to A Hill Station

          My Annual Examination was over. So my father decided to visit Darjeeling for a change. We went to the New Jalpaiguri by the Darjeeling Mail. Then we got into the famous toy train, it moved on in a meandering course through the hills. Tea-gardens on both sides, beautiful scenery made us spell-bound. In Darjeeling. we visited the zoo, the Botanical Gardens, the Victoria Falls, the Museum, the Tiger Hill etc. The snow clad mountain peaks presented a picturesque view. Fine view of Kanchanjanga was really thrilling. The sun shone brightly and kissed the top of the peak. I could not feel how the days had glided by there. Yet, the memory of my visit to the queen of the hills is still fresh in my memory.

A Journey Down Memory Lane

          An unexpected holiday came to me on Friday last. The morning of that day kept me busy with my usual routine-work. But, I felt a sort of drowsiness at noon. Gradually, days of the past haunted my memory. Life was full of joy in my childhood. I was an object of care, and affection of all. My father loved me. My mother loved me too. My grandmother was affectionate to me. She used to tell me Stories of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. But the sad day in my life was the day on which I lost my father. I began to cry. But, the sudden call of my mother marked the end of the journey down the memory lane.

My Life at School

           I am a student of Hooghly Collegiate School. More than one thousand students read in this school. There are thirty classrooms. Quite flows the Ganga by the side of the school. There are thirty teachers who teach us carefully. They are also very sympathetic to us. I have many friends. Some of them are really cooperative. Our Headmaster is our guide. He thinks for the all-round development of the students. The general atmosphere of the school is calm and quiet. It is really suitable for exchanging our thoughts and feelings among ourselves. I like this healthy atmosphere of the school. But I dislike excessive pressure of home tasks upon the students in general. I am proud of being a student of this school.

Mid-Day Meals in Schools

           The students of the primary schools of rural areas are given meals at midday. It is, called mid-day meal. The mid-day meal scheme is a wing of Sarba Sikha Abhiyan. The particular motto of the mid-day meal is — “Eat together, learn together”. This brings the students of different castes, religions and status close together. Thus a sense of national integration grows in them. About twelve crore primary school children are covered by the scheme. Mid-day meal has increased the attendance of the students in schools. It has already checked dropout rates in poor rural areas. But, this scheme has been criticized by many in respect of low-quality o food, wastage of time etc. Yet, scheme is always welcome.

Bad Effects of Plastics

          At present, articles made of plastic are being used all over the world. For this, paper packets have practically vanished from the market. Plastic bags are no doubt, comparatively cheap and handy. But they are harmful for users. Plastic bags react with food and make those poisonous. Plastic wastes, thrown into the ponds and rivers, pollute water. This endangers marine life. Polymer or plastic articles never mix with soil. This reduces the fertility of the soil. Burnt plastics emit poisonous gases and affect the eco-balance of our planet. Experience tells that some children play with them. They may be suffocated any moment. The sooner we can get rid of them, the better one our existence on this earth.

Drug Addiction

           Addiction to drugs is not a blessing hut a curse. Addicts take drugs like heroin, opium, tobacco, brown sugar, alcohol etc. At present there are more than 3,00,000 drug addicts all over the country. The addicts are mostly from well-to-do families. Psychologists inform a number of causes behind addiction. They say that the mystical experience of the addict apparently help to overcome frustration. But., addiction damages vital organs of the body. Desire for food and sleep of the victim is lost. Life slowly but inevitably invites death. To treat a drug addict is rather costly. So heavy-handedness of the police is a must. Mass-media should carry campaigns against It. It is a good sign that all voluntary organizations are trying to create awareness among people.

Global Warming

           The earth has started becoming warmer day by day. The average temperature of the earth is increasing annually by a small margin. This is caused mainly by the change of atmosphere of the whole world. Effects of the increase of surface temperature are horrible indeed. According to the scientists, rainfall will become extremely uncertain. This will effect agricultural productions severely. Ice-caps mthepolar-regions will melt soon, causing devastating floods in lowlands. The sea-levels will rise alarmingly. So what is urgently needed is to take preventive measures against this danger. Afforestation all over the world is a must. Urbanization and industrialization should be restricted immediately.

Science in the Service of Man

          Modern, age is the age of science. It is an essential companion of man in every sphere of life. It means everything to us. Indeed modern civilization is bed on science. Science is present everywhere with its gifts. Vehicles with high speed on modern roads and bridges have removed distance. Food is produced plentifully to enrich our food basket. Fatal diseases are cured now. Thus, science has helped man to become really a social being. But science has made our life complex and fast-moving. It has widened the gap between the rich and the poor. So, everybody of our society cannot enjoy the blessings of science in the same way. So, the fact is that science serves only the rich, not the poor.

The Beauty of Trees

           Trees are the great creation of nature. They offer their aesthetic beauty. Their majestic beauty soothes us. They, with their fruits and flowers beautify the surroundings. Thus, they are a source of joy forever. Trees are home to diverse living things — from tiny creatures to ferocious animals. But, trees are real friends of mankind. They are usually bounteous with their gifts. But, there is greed of man. Valuable trees are being destroyed by greedy timber merchants. There is also steady march of urbanization. Thus, it is apprehended that some countries of the world will have no forests within a few years. But only laws to protect the trees are not enough. Movements are needed to establish such laws.

Winter in Bengal

          Winter follows Autumn, It lasts for a very brief period — December and January. The trees shed their leaves and look dull. The season is painful to the poor who cannot buy warm clothes. Some suffer from cold and cough. But, winter has a special appeal of its own. It is the season of fruits, flowers and green vegetables. The atmosphere is pleasant as there is neither sun’s bearable heat nor constant rains. People enjoy picnics and excursions. Fairs are held in every district of West Bengal. The important festivals of winter are the Saraswati Puja and Christmas. Those who have money enjoy the beauty of the snowfall in the hilly regions. Thus, winter is pleasant to the rich, unpleasant to the poor.

The Seasons of Bengal

          There are six seasons in Bengal. These are — summer, the rainy season, autumn, late autumn, winter and spring. During summer, unkind sun dries up everything. But, fruits like mangoes, litchis are available in this season. After summer, comes the rainy season. In this season, farmers sow seeds to enrich our food-basket. Autumn succeeds the rains. But this season does not last long. Yet, it is a season of festivals. Next comes winter. The season is marked for vegetables flowers and picnic. Next season spring is the season of the beauty and pleasure. Flowers bloom. Birds sing. Everybody is glad at the arrival of spring. Thus, every season add variety to the life of people.

The Olympic Games

           The ancient Greeks loved games and sports. Many people, young and old, participated in the items, Every four years games were held, at Olympus in south western Greece, So the games were known as the Olympic Games. The first records of the Games are kept from 776 B.C. Many Greeks took part in them and thousands of enthusiastic spectators assembled to have a look at them. A temporary town of tents sprang up during the games. The games, thus started, went on till 394 A.D. when they were abolished by the Roman Emperor, Theodosius I. The modem Olympic Games were again revived in Athens by Pierre de Coubertin. The Games have been held every four years since then. They were, however, not held in 1916. 1940 and 1944 when wars were going on. The women participated in the Games in 1912 the first time.