Sunil Vaid
“When I am dead, do not declare a holiday; Instead work a day extra”. These were the words of Former President Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam, who considered work as worship. He was undoubtly one of the most loved President of the country, especially among the Kids. Today, July 27, the country is remembering the ‘Missile man’ on his ninth death anniversary.
After serving as Director of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and as scientific Advisor to the Prime Minister, Dr. Kalam was elected as the 11th President of India. A deep commitment to education, youth and technology characterized his presidency. He was Legacy of inspiration and innovation, was also known as “Peoples President” and was very popular among the masses. He remained an unwavering source of inspiration for young minds nationwide, encouraging them to dream big and work towards a prosperous India.
Dr. Kalam genuinely believed in the transformative power of education and the immense potential of India’s youth. His tireless interactions with students served as an enduring source of motivation, inspiring them to peruse careers in Science and Technology. His books, particularly ignited minds, indomitable spirits and ‘wings of fire’: An autobiography continue to captivate the hearts of young readers and inspire countless individuals to dream. He devoted his life to his motherland. His contributions to making India a strong nation are unrivalled. As a physicist, he gave India the ability to launch missiles. Under his capable leadership, Lathel Agni, Prithvi, Akash and Nag missiles were added to the national arsenal.
The youngest amongst the five siblings, Kalam was born on October 15, 1931, in Rameshwaram Tamil Nadu. His father Jainulabadeen, was a boat owner and his mother Ashramma, was a housewife. His childhood was not easy, and he used to distribute newspapers while in school to support his family which was struggling financially. Kalam showed a profound fascination for aeroplanes, rockets and space from a very young age. He attended Rameshwaram elementary school till class 8th and moved to Schwarty Higher Secondary School in Ramanathapuram for Secondary Education. He completed his physics degree from St Josephs College, Tiruchirappdi, in 1954. His passion for aerospace landed him at the Madras Institute of Technology in Madras (Now Chennai) for aeronautical engineering Dr. A.P.J Kalam had a profound impact on the country. He was peoples President due to his simplicity, close connection with the countrymen and his great vision for India. One of the prime aims of his life was to inspire and empower the youth of India. As a former scientist, the former President was passionate about the country’s progress in the fields of Science and Technology.
During his tenure, he highlighted the significance of innovation and research to achieve self-reliance in critical sectors like defence and space. His role in advocating and supporting the successful launch of the country’s first satellite launch vehicle (SLV-III) will always be remembered.
Dr. Kalam had a vision of India becoming a developed nation by 2020, which he termed “Vision 2020”. His belief was centered on the transformation of India into a technologically advanced, economically robust and socially developed nation.
Through out his tenure, Kalam placed significant emphasis on rural development and empowering rural communities. He passionately advocated the various initiatives that sought to enhance living conditions and create economic opportunities for those residing in rural areas, there by bridging the urban – rural divide. Renowned for his humble and unifying personality, Kalam dedicated himself to bridging the gaps between diverse sections of society, fostering a sense of national unity and social harmony. He consistently stressed the significances of religious and cultural tolerances as essential elements for India’s progress. During his term, Kalam strived to make the presidency more accessible to the common people.
He actively encouraged citizens to share their ideas and concerns, engaging with them directly or through technology – driven initiatives like the President’s website. Overall his tenure as the President of India was defined by his steadfast dedication to the nation’s welfare, his vision for a developed and self – reliant India, and his remarkable ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds. His legacy remains a profound source of inspiration and guidance, leading the nation towards progress of prosperity.
He used to say that he would like to be remembered as teacher. Even when he was the President in 2002, he made no compromise on his fondness for teaching and always seized all opportunities to meet and educate students. He was an inspiration, institution builder, and a team leader who consistently advocated for a strong and self-reliant India.
A.P.J Abdul Kalam who was 11th President of India, was born and brought up in Rameshwaram and became a Scientist and worked for DRDO & ISRO. After his sudden demise at Shillong on 27th July, 2015, he was laid to rest at Pei Karanbu, Rameshwaram on 30th July 2015. A memorial has been built at the burial site.
Inside, the memorial, one can see the selected photos, paintings and miniature models of Missiles etc. The memorial is less than 1 km from Rameshwaram ‘Kalam Memorial’ has also been setup at Dilli Haat, INA, New Delhi.
As we reflect on Dr. Kalam extraordinary life and celebrate his enduring legacy, let us also embrace the wisdom of life behind. His words and deeds illuminate our path, showing us that dreams can be achieved, no matter where we start. On this day, as we honour Dr. A.P.J Kalam, let us draw inspiration from his remarkable journey. His life is testament to the fact that our past does not dictate our future. We can motivate ourselves by imbibing valuable lessons from his extraordinary life.
“You have to dream before your dreams come true” – A.P.J Abdul Kalam
