🧠 Vocabulary Booster (20 words) — सरल हिंदी अर्थ

Read the Word then its Meaning. Try to use 3 in your own sentence! ✍️

📝 Summary (English) — ~250 words

“My Dear Soldiers” by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam is a heartfelt tribute to India’s soldiers who safeguard the nation’s borders with tireless dedication. The poet salutes them as the “great sons” of the land who continue their duty even when citizens sleep. Through vivid imagery, he shows their constant vigilance in all weathers—windy, snowy, or under the scorching, sweltering sun. Soldiers are pictured as walking across lonely expanses like yogis, symbolising discipline, focus, and selfless service.

The poem travels across India’s terrains—heights, valleys, deserts, and marshes—showing that soldiers guard land, seas, and skies alike with surveillance and courage. Kalam highlights the ultimate sacrifice: soldiers give the prime of their youth to the nation. Their feats make the “wind chimes of the land” vibrate—a beautiful metaphor that suggests the country resonates with gratitude for their bravery.

The tone is admiring, respectful, grateful, and prayerful. In the end, the poet prays for the soldiers, asking the Lord to bless them always. The poem reminds readers that freedom and peace are protected by unseen, silent sacrifices at the frontiers. By repeating the pronouns “you” (soldiers) and “we” (citizens), the poet contrasts duty and comfort, urging readers to feel collective gratitude and pride. Overall, the poem inspires students to recognise, respect, and honour the tireless service of our armed forces.

📝 सारांश (Hindi) — ~250 शब्द

डॉ. ए.पी.जे. अब्दुल कलाम की कविता “माय डियर सोल्जर्स” हमारे सीमा–रक्षकों को समर्पित है। कवि उन्हें देश के “महान पुत्र” कहकर संबोधित करते हैं, जो नागरिकों के सोते समय भी अपने कर्तव्य पर डटे रहते हैं। वे आँधियों, बर्फीले दिनों और झुलसा देने वाली गर्मी में भी निरंतर पहरा देते हैं। कवि सैनिकों को योगियों की भाँति एकांत, विस्तृत प्रदेशों में चलते हुए देखते हैं—यह अनुशासन, धैर्य और त्याग का प्रतीक है।

कविता में विभिन्न भू-आकृतियाँ—पहाड़ियाँ, घाटियाँ, रेगिस्तान, दलदल—उल्लेखित हैं; साथ ही समुद्र–निगरानी और आकाश–सुरक्षा का भी जिक्र है। सैनिक अपने यौवन का श्रेष्ठ समय (prime) राष्ट्र को समर्पित कर देते हैं। कवि कहते हैं कि देश की पवन-घंटियाँ सैनिकों के विस्मयकारी कार्यों से झनक उठती हैं—यह रूपक बताता है कि देश उनके प्रति कृतज्ञता से गूँजता है।

कविता का भाव प्रशंसात्मक, आदरपूर्ण, कृतज्ञ और प्रार्थनापूर्ण है। अंत में कवि सैनिकों के कल्याण के लिए ईश्वर से आशीर्वाद माँगते हैं। “You” और “We” की पुनरावृत्ति से सैनिकों का निरंतर कर्तव्य और नागरिकों का सुख–आराम उजागर होता है, जिससे पाठक आभार और गौरव महसूस करें। संक्षेप में, यह कविता विद्यार्थियों को प्रेरित करती है कि वे सैनिकों की निस्वार्थ सेवा को पहचाने, सम्मान दें और उनके बलिदान का सदैव आदर करें।

🎯 One-Word Answers (10)

1. Poet of the poem? — Kalam
2. Whom does the poet address? — Soldiers
3. What do they defend? — Borders
4. Hot weather word used? — Scorching
5. Cold weather word used? — Snowy
6. Lonely wide areas? — Expanses
7. Wet landform? — Marshes
8. Sea duty term? — Surveillance
9. What vibrates with their feats? — Windchimes
10. What of youth is given? — Prime

✍️ Very Short Answer (10) — 2–3 lines

1. Why are soldiers called “great sons of my land”?
   Because they selflessly protect the nation day and night, sacrificing comfort and safety for citizens.
2. How does the poem show extreme climates?
   With phrases like “windy season,” “snowy days,” and “scorching sun’s sweltering rays.”
3. What does “treading the lonely expanses as yogis” mean?
   Soldiers move across isolated areas with yogi-like discipline, focus, and inner strength.
4. Which terrains are mentioned?
   Heights, valleys, deserts, and marshes—showing duty across all landscapes.
5. What is guarded besides land?
   Seas and air—through surveillance and securing the skies.
6. Explain “Prime of your youth given to the nation”.
   Soldiers dedicate their best years—their strongest phase—to serving India.
7. What feeling does the windchime image create?
   A gentle, musical symbol of national gratitude and pride for soldiers’ feats.
8. What is the overall tone?
   Respectful, admiring, grateful, and prayerful.
9. How does repetition of “you” and “we” work?
   It contrasts duty (you) and comfort (we), urging citizens to feel thankful.
10. What does the closing prayer signify?
    A wish for the well-being and divine protection of all soldiers.

🧠 Short Answer Type (10) — 3–4 lines, Simple English

1. How does Kalam portray soldiers’ dedication?
   They remain awake when we sleep, endure heat, cold, and wind, and guard every terrain continuously. This shows total commitment.
2. What is the effect of comparing soldiers to yogis?
   It highlights spiritual discipline, patience, and self-control, implying that soldiering is a sacred, selfless duty.
3. Explain the line “surveillance in seas and by securing the air”.
   Armed forces watch coastlines/oceans and protect the skies, ensuring full-spectrum national security.
4. How does imagery build the theme?
   Weather (“scorching,” “snowy”) and landscapes (“valleys,” “marshes”) make sacrifice visible and relatable, strengthening patriotism.
5. Why does the poet call soldiers the “great sons” of the land?
   Because they embody courage and sacrifice, giving their best years to the nation’s safety and peace.
6. What values should citizens learn from the poem?
   Gratitude, respect, awareness of sacrifices, and a resolve to be responsible, compassionate citizens.
7. How is hardship contrasted with citizens’ comfort?
   Soldiers guard tirelessly in harsh conditions, while “we are all asleep,” stressing our duty to appreciate them.
8. Discuss the purpose of the prayer in the ending.
   It unites readers in wishing safety and blessings for soldiers, reinforcing collective respect and care.
9. Why is the poem suitable for students?
   Simple yet powerful pictures teach empathy, patriotism, and admiration for the armed forces.
10. What central message does the poem deliver?
    Honour the silent, continuous service of soldiers and keep them in our thoughts and prayers.