Chapter 2.6 — Science and Spirituality
Class 10 • English (Maharashtra Board) • 20 most-important questions with stepwise, clear answers
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Q1. State the central idea of “Science and Spirituality”.
Answer in 2–3 lines highlighting Dr Kalam’s view of fact and faith.
Answer: The lesson shows that science (fact, focus) and spirituality/faith (perspective, values) are not rivals but complementary forces. Together they guide inventions towards human good, accelerate progress while placing reasonable limits, and thus build a better, compassionate society.
Q2. What does Dr Kalam mean by “Science and faith must coexist for the human good”?
Explain both roles as presented in Part I.
Answer: Science provides focus—it solves questions and creates technology. Faith provides perspective—it judges impact and sets ethical limits. Coexisting, they ensure progress that is meaningful, safe, and humane.
Q3. Which early influences shaped Kalam’s inclusive spirituality?
Mention family and interfaith friendships.
Answer: His father was an imam and a humble boatman; his two close friends were a Hindu (Pakshi Lakshmana Shastrigal, a Vedic scholar) and a Christian (Rev. Father Bodal). Their interfaith dialogue and problem-solving impressed young Kalam with harmony across religions.
Q4. From whom did Kalam learn humility and simplicity? How?
Use lines that connect simplicity with divinity.
Answer: He attributed humility to his father. Despite being a boatman, his father lived simply yet spiritually. Kalam felt that spirituality could lift one out of confusion and failure—values both father and son shared.
Q5. Why was Thumba chosen for ISRO’s space facility, and what obstacle arose?
Focus on scientific reason + social/religious concerns.
Answer: Thumba, Kerala, lies close to the magnetic equator—ideal for space research. The obstacle: the land had fishermen’s settlements, an active church (St Mary Magdalene), a bishop’s house, and a school. Relocation seemed impossible without hurting the community and religious sentiments.
Q6. How did Rev. Peter Bernard Pereira resolve the Thumba dilemma?
Recall his Sunday address and the people’s response.
Answer: He framed science and spirituality as serving the same human welfare. Asking the congregation if they could give up their abodes for a greater mission, he inspired a unanimous “amen.” With alternate accommodations arranged, the community willingly supported ISRO.
Q7. “Vikram and I are doing the same job,” said the Reverend. Explain.
Paraphrase the idea of parallel service.
Answer: Science improves life through technology; the preacher works for inner peace and well-being through prayer. Both aim at human upliftment. Thus, their work is complementary service to body, mind, and spirit.
Q8. Explain Prof. Satish Dhawan’s “mirror” metaphor about brilliance.
Connect academic brilliance with ethics and service.
Answer: Brilliance is like a mirror dulled by dust. The “dust” is impurities—ego, selfishness, unethical choices. By living purely and serving humanity, we wipe the dust; the soul (and intellect) shines, reflecting true excellence.
Q9. What advice did Dr Kalam give the narrator after graduation?
Mention year and thrust of advice.
Answer: In 2009, he urged the narrator (Srijan Pal Singh) to use his IIMA degree and gold medal to transform society—turn education into ethical action and public service.
Q10. What was Sri Sri Shivakumara Mahaswamiji’s tremendous contribution?
Add the unique aspect observed at his 102nd birthday.
Answer: He established a free residential education system for 9,000+ children. At 102, he stood unaided, gave a wise discourse, and fed thousands—displaying astonishing strength rooted in lifelong service.
Q11. What is the essence of a happy life and peaceful society, according to Kalam?
Quote/paraphrase the key line.
Answer: “What can I give?” Replacing the taking mindset with giving counters corruption, environmental damage, and social evils, making society just and humane.
Q12. What is the reverse of “What can I give?” and why is it harmful?
Link to inequity and corruption.
Answer: “What can I take?” This attitude exploits nature and people, breeds corruption and injustice, and even harms families—thus eroding the moral fabric of society.
Q13. Glossary: Give concise meanings from context—(a) fledgling (b) perspective (c) reverberated (d) tranquility (e) munificence.
Write one-line meanings.
Answer:
(a) fledgling: new and inexperienced; (b) perspective: a way of seeing; a balanced view;
(c) reverberated: echoed loudly; (d) tranquility: deep peace/calm; (e) munificence: great generosity.
(c) reverberated: echoed loudly; (d) tranquility: deep peace/calm; (e) munificence: great generosity.
Q14. Write a short note on “Interfaith harmony in Kalam’s formative years”.
70–90 words.
Answer (model): Kalam grew up amidst living examples of harmony—his father (imam), the Hindu priest Pakshi Lakshmana Shastrigal, and Christian Reverend Father Bodal often discussed community issues together. Their friendship and respect transcended religious boundaries, teaching Kalam that different faiths can collaborate for public good. This early exposure seeded his belief that science and spirituality, like diverse religions, must cooperate to uplift humanity.
Q15. Reference to Context: “Vikram and I are doing the same job.” Who said it? To whom? In what context?
Identify speaker, audience, and significance.
Answer: Reverend Peter Bernard Pereira said this to the church congregation, introducing Dr Vikram Sarabhai. He explained that both science (technology) and spirituality (prayer) serve human welfare—thus urging the villagers to support ISRO’s project by donating their space.
Q16. Cause–Effect: Show how selfless service leads to strength, using Mahaswamiji as example.
Write 3–4 cause-effect links.
Answer (points):
- Selfless giving → inner fulfillment → sustained motivation.
- Daily service discipline → mental focus → resilience.
- Community support → purpose in old age → active lifestyle.
- Hence, “giving” fuels strength; Mahaswamiji stands tall at 102.
Q17. List four values the chapter promotes. Explain each in a phrase.
Values should connect to incidents.
Answer:
Humility — learn from all (Kalam’s father).
Interfaith Harmony — priests collaborating for community.
Ethical Service — Dhawan’s “wipe the dust” metaphor.
Giving Mindset — “What can I give” movement to fight evils.
Interfaith Harmony — priests collaborating for community.
Ethical Service — Dhawan’s “wipe the dust” metaphor.
Giving Mindset — “What can I give” movement to fight evils.
Q18. Contrast how “science accelerates progress” and “faith curbs it within reasonable limits”.
Use one example for each.
Answer: Science drives rapid innovations (e.g., satellites improving communication). Faith/ethics checks misuse (e.g., data privacy, environmental safeguards). Together, they deliver benefits without harming people or nature.
Q19. Long Answer (120–150 words): “What Can I Give” as a remedy to social ills.
Structure: thesis → examples → conclusion.
Answer (model): The question “What can I give?” reverses a culture of selfish taking that causes corruption, inequity, and ecological ruin. Giving time to teach, skills to solve local problems, and kindness to bridge divides builds trust and fairness. As seen in Thumba, a community’s “amen” to a scientific mission—paired with humane resettlement—made national progress possible. Mahaswamiji’s life shows that serving hungry bodies and minds creates inner strength. When individuals adopt a giving mindset, institutions change too: transparency grows, waste reduces, and compassion guides policy. Thus, Kalam’s mantra is a practical ethic for a clean environment, honest governance, and cohesive families—healing society from within.
Q20. Identify and explain the figure of speech in: “the whole church reverberated with the deafening noise of a collective ‘amen’.”
Name the figure and justify.
Answer: Hyperbole (exaggeration for effect) and auditory imagery. “Deafening noise” heightens the unity and intensity of the people’s response.