SOMANATH'S
LIFE IS FULL OF STORIES OF DETERMINATION AND PERSEVERANCE
NIRMAL JOVIAL
Summary
Somanath’s life is an inspiring example of how hard work,
determination, and never giving up can lead to great success. He was born into
a humble family and faced many difficulties during his childhood. His parents
were not highly educated, but they always encouraged him to study well and work
hard. From a young age, Somanath showed great interest in science and space.
He studied in a government school and did not have many
resources. But instead of giving up, he studied with full focus and dedication.
He worked hard, scored good marks, and later joined an engineering college.
Even though the journey was tough, he never lost hope. He continued to put in
sincere efforts and faced every challenge bravely.
Somanath joined ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation)
and slowly moved up because of his talent, honesty, and hard work. He became a
key person in many important space missions. His major contribution was in
launching rockets and satellites successfully. He worked on the Chandrayaan and
other missions that made India proud. His leadership and skills were admired by
everyone.
One of the most important moments in his career was
becoming the chairman of ISRO. It was a proud moment not only for him but for
the entire country. His journey from a small village boy to the top scientist
of India shows the power of determination.
Somanath’s life teaches us that no dream is too big if we
have courage and patience. No matter where we come from, we can achieve great
things with faith in ourselves, dedication, and hard work. His story is a true
inspiration for all students and young minds.
COMPREHENSION
QUESTIONS
I. Answer the
following questions in a sentence or two
1. Who is the
central figure of the article written by Nirmal Jovial?
Ans:
The central figure of the article is S. Somanath.
2. What are the
two main qualities highlighted in Somanath’s life?
Ans:
The two main qualities are determination and perserverance.
3. What does
Somanath’s life story emphasize about overcoming obstacles?
Ans:
His life story shows that hard work and never giving up can help overcome any
obstacle.
4. What
profession is associated with S. Somanath?
Ans:
S. Somanath is associated with the space science and engineering profession; he
is an ISRO scientist.
5. Who wrote the
article “Somanath's Life is full of stories of determination and perseverance”?
Ans:
The article was written by Nirmal Jovial.
6. What does the
article aim to inspire in readers?
Ans:
The article aims to inspire hope, motivation, and the spirit to achieve goals
despite difficulties.
7. What is the
primary theme of the article?
Ans:
The main theme is achieving success through hard work, determination, and
perseverance.
8. What lesson
can be learned from Somanath’s life according to the article?
Ans:
The lesson is that anyone can succeed if they stay focused, work hard, and keep
going despite challenges.
9. What writing
style does Nirmal Jovial use in this article?
Ans:
Nirmal Jovial uses a motivational and biographical writing style.
10. What impact
does Somanath’s story aim to have on readers?
Ans:
It aims to inspire readers to believe in themselves and follow their dreams with
determination.
II. Answer the
following questions
1. Elaborate on
how Somanath’s journey exemplifies the significance of these qualities. Provide
examples from the article and analyze their relevance in achieving success.
Ans:
Somanath’s life
story is a strong example of how determination and perseverance can lead to
great success. In the article by Nirmal Jovial, we learn how Somanath faced
many difficulties from a young age. He came from a humble background, but he
never gave up on his dreams. Even though resources were limited, he worked hard
in school and later in college. His passion for science and space took him to
ISRO, where he slowly rose through the ranks.
His journey shows that success is not just about talent,
but about how much effort a person puts in. For example, when Somanath faced
setbacks in his professional career or during space projects, he kept working
patiently and never lost hope. He didn’t let failure stop him. This is what
makes his story powerful.
The qualities of determination (never giving up)
and perseverance (continuing to try, even when it’s hard) are very
important in any field. Whether someone wants to be a scientist, teacher,
artist, or sportsperson, these traits help people keep going. In today’s world,
where people face many challenges, Somanath’s story reminds us that hard work
and a positive attitude are key to achieving big goals. His journey is proof
that with strong willpower and consistent effort, anyone can rise and succeed.
2. Reflect on
how Somanath’s life story serves as a source of motivation. Discuss the lessons
it offers and how such narratives can influence individuals to overcome
challenges in their lives.
Ans: Somanath’s life story is full of motivation for people of
all ages. His journey from a small village to becoming a leading scientist at
ISRO shows that big dreams can come true with hard work and dedication. Many
people feel discouraged when they face problems, but Somanath’s life teaches us
not to give up.
One important lesson from his story is that success takes
time and effort. Somanath didn’t reach the top overnight. He faced failures,
but he always got back up. This teaches us that falling down is not the end.
What matters is how we rise again. His story tells us to believe in ourselves
and to keep trying, even if the road is tough.
Such stories are powerful because they are real. They
help people feel stronger and more hopeful. Students who feel pressure, or
workers who face failure, can look at Somanath’s journey and feel inspired. It
helps them think, “If he could do it, maybe I can too.”
Also, his life shows that it doesn’t matter where you
come from—what matters is where you want to go. This message is very important
for young people, especially those from small towns or poor backgrounds. In the
end, Somanath’s story reminds us that with courage, effort, and belief, we can
all face our problems and reach our goals.
3. Using
examples from Somanath’s life, explain how resilience contributes to growth and
success. Discuss the role of resilience in dealing with setbacks and striving
for long-terms goals.
Ans: Resilience means being strong during hard times and
bouncing back after failure. Somanath’s life is a great example of resilience.
In the article, we learn how he didn’t let difficulties stop him from moving
forward. Even when he didn’t have many resources or support, he stayed focused
on his goal to become a scientist.
In his career at ISRO, Somanath faced many technical
challenges and delays. Space missions are very complex, and things often go
wrong. But he didn’t lose hope. He learned from failures, worked harder, and
kept improving. This is true resilience—facing problems with courage and continuing
to move ahead.
Resilience is very important for growth and success. If
we give up after one failure, we can never grow. But if we keep going, we get
stronger and learn more. Somanath’s success didn’t come easily, but he reached
his goals because he stayed strong even when things were tough.
For people today, resilience is more important than ever.
Life is full of ups and downs—exams, job struggles, health problems, or family
issues. Like Somanath, we must stay calm, learn from failure, and not lose hope.
His story teaches us that problems are part of the journey, and with
resilience, we can face them and come out stronger.
In short, Somanath’s life shows that resilience is not
just about surviving troubles—it’s about growing through them and never giving
up on your dreams.
Assignment
Topics
1. Reflect on a
moment in your life where determination and perseverance helped you achieve a
goal or overcome an obstacle. Create a story similar to Somanath’s journey,
focusing on the lessons learned and their impact on your growth.
Ans: One time when determination and perseverance helped me
was during my final exams in school. I was very weak in mathematics and had
failed a few class tests. I felt scared and thought I would never pass. But I
remembered that nothing is impossible if we try hard, just like how Somanath
never gave up on his dreams.
So, I made a study timetable and asked my teacher and
friends for help. Every day, I studied for a few hours, even when I felt tired.
At first, it was hard, and I still made mistakes. But I didn’t stop. Slowly, I
began to understand the concepts better. I solved many practice papers and
revised regularly.
When the final exam came, I did my best. A few weeks
later, I found out I had passed with good marks in math. I felt very proud, not
because I scored high, but because I didn’t give up.
From this experience, I learned that success takes effort
and time. Like Somanath, I faced challenges, but I kept trying. This journey
helped me grow stronger and more confident. Now, whenever I face a tough
situation, I remember that hard work and never giving up can help me reach my
goals.
2. Create an
infographic that visually represents the key qualities, challenges, and
outcomes of Somanath’s life. Include motivational quotes, milestones, and
lessons from the article.
Ans:
(Description
for Infographic):
Since I can't draw directly here, I’ll describe how you can create a simple
infographic about S. Somanath’s life.
Title: S. Somanath – A Journey of
Determination and Perseverance
Section 1 –
Introduction:
- Photo or sketch of S. Somanath
- Short description: “Chairman of
ISRO, a true symbol of hard work and resilience.”
Section 2 – Key
Qualities:
- Determination: Always stayed focused on his
dream.
- Perseverance: Continued working hard despite
setbacks.
- Discipline: Maintained a strong work ethic.
- Curiosity: Loved learning about space and
science.
Section 3 –
Challenges:
- Born in a small village with
limited resources.
- Faced failures and technical
issues in missions.
- Needed to prove himself in a
competitive field.
Section 4 –
Milestones:
- Joined ISRO
- Contributed to major Indian space
projects
- Became ISRO Chairman
Section 5 –
Lessons and Quotes:
- “Never give up, even when things
are hard.”
- “Dream big, and work harder.”
- Lesson: Background doesn’t define
you—effort does.
Section 6 –
Outcome:
- Respected global scientist
- Role model for students and young
scientists
- Inspiration for the nation
Use bright
colors, arrows, icons (like rockets, books, stars), and quote bubbles to make
it attractive and inspiring!
3. Write a letter
to your future self, detailing how you plan to incorporate determination and
perseverance in achieving your aspirations. Use examples form Somanath’s life
to guide your thoughts and goals.
Ans: Dear Future Me,
I hope this letter finds you strong, happy, and
successful. I’m writing this today to remind you of the promise you made to
never give up on your dreams, no matter how hard things get.
Remember the story of S. Somanath? He faced many
challenges in his life but never gave up. He didn’t come from a rich family or
a big city, yet he became the head of ISRO because of his determination and
perseverance. If he can achieve so much through hard work and patience, then so
can you.
I know there will be times when things don’t go as
planned. You might fail, feel lost, or even doubt yourself. But don’t
forget—setbacks are part of the journey. Like Somanath, get back up and try
again. Keep learning, stay focused, and believe in your ability.
Your dreams may be big, but you have the strength to
reach them. Work step by step. Use your time wisely. Stay kind and humble. And
always remember why you started.
One day, I hope you’ll look back at this letter with
pride, knowing you didn’t give up. Let Somanath’s journey continue to inspire
you to keep going, no matter how tough the road gets.
With hope and
belief,
Your Present Self
