A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was born in 1931 in Rameswaram, India to middle-class Muslim parents. He had a secure childhood and fondly remembers his childhood friends from different religious backgrounds who he felt no differences with. Kalam's family would help arrange boats to transport idols during an annual Hindu ceremony, showing the harmony between religions in his community. He was greatly influenced by his science teacher who broke social barriers and set a positive example of inclusiveness. For higher education, Kalam left his hometown of Rameswaram with his father's blessing.

1. Birth Place Of Kalam
A.P.J.Abdul Kalam was born in a middleclass muslim
family in the island town of Rameswaram in 1931. His
father Jainulabdeen though not formally educated
had innate wisdom and a true generosity of spirit. His
mother, Ashiamma was also a pious and kind lady. In
brief Kalam had a very secure childhood, both
materially and emotionally.

2. Friends of Kalam
Kalam fondly remembers his
childhood friends- Ramanadha
Sastry,
Aravindan
and
Sivaprakasan. All the three of his
friends belonged to orthodox
Hindu Brahmin families, but still
they had never felt the
differences.
Ramanadha Sastry was the son
of The high priest of the
Rameswaram temple. Later, he
took over the priesthood from
his father. Aravindam went into
the business of arranging
transport for visiting pilgrims
and Sivaprakasan became a
catering contractor for the
Southern Railways.

3. Shri Sita Rama Kalyanam Ceremony and involvement of Kalam’s
family
During the annual Shri Sita Rama Kalyanam Ceremony , Abdul’s
family used to arrange boats with a special platform for carrying
idols of Lord from the temple to the marriage site, situated in the
middle of the pond near his house.

4. An Incident of Fifth Standard
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BgWg2EAmww

5. Abdul’s Science Teacher
Abdul kalam has the highest
regard for his science teacher,
Sivasubramania Iyer who was
something of a rebel. He did
his best to break social
barriers so that people from
varying backgrounds could
mingle easily.
Once, he invited him to his
home for a meal. When his
conservative wife refused to
serve food to Kalam in her
kitchen, he was neither
perturbed nor angry with her,
but instead served him with
his own hands and sat beside
him to eat his meals. On his
second visit he found a change in
her attitude. He was greatly
influenced by him.

6. Leaving Rameswaram
For higher studies after seeking his
father’s permission Abdul Kalam
left Rameswaram and studied at
the district headquartes in
Ramanathapuram.

7. Reaction of his Parents
“Abdul! I know
you have to go
away to grow.
Does the seagull
not fly across the
sun, alone and
without a nest?”
“Your children are not
your children. They are
the sons and daughters
of Life’s longing for
itself. They come
through you but not
from you….for they
have their own
thoughts.”