UNIT I 1.2 A PERSONAL CRISIS MAY CHANGE HISTORY Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam SUMMARY (BBA & BHM – I STUDY MATERIAL)

BBA & BHM – I STUDY MATERIAL

UNIT I

 1.2 A PERSONAL CRISIS MAY CHANGE HISTORY

Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam

INTRODUCTION:

                                                  A personal crisis may change history is written by Dr. A P J Abdul kalam. In this essay he says that How one reacts to a situation matters a lot in life. When ridiculed, a person either gets dejected or angry. Dejection is for cowards. Whereas standing up and fighting may be a turning point in one’s life.

EXPLANATION:

                                     In this essay Kalam brings in an example of how Gandhiji tackled the discrimination he was subjected to. Gandhiji was traveling in the train compartment in which Blacks were not allowed to travel in the same compartments as the whites. Since Gandhi was dark he was pushed out of the train. After being insulted, Gandhiji contemplated returning to India but realized that that would be cowardice. Hence he vowed to stay back and fight apartheid. Gandhiji paved way to uproot apartheid in South Africa through non-violence which Mandela adopted and succeeded after twenty-six years in jail. He fought for freedom for his nation from there. This shows his perseverance as well as unshakeable hope that he nurtured for twenty-six long years. Nelson Mandela magnanimously provided equal constitutional rights to the 10% of the white population who were the main culprits of apartheid. He also gifted his nation a book that he wrote stealthily while in prison- ‘A Long Walk to Freedom’.

                                               On the other hand, Gandhiji’s non-violent movement in South Africa became a precursor to India’s freedom movement. Gandhiji started non-violence in India to fight against the British. Ashoka’s decision to follow Ahimsa Dharma dawned after his visit to the bloodied battle field of Kalinga. Thus it can be observed that how we react to a crisis not only becomes a turning point in one’s life but also changes the lives of others. Gandhiji and Ashoka both believed in Ahimsa Dharma. One particular incident in their lives changed history.

CONCLUSION:

                                    Kalam wants the nation to fight against social and economic impoverishment and widespread inequality affecting many citizens of India. He also wants India to become a developed nation, and show the way to the other developing nations and all these are possible by the Indian youth.