APJ Abdul Kalam was one of the most popular presidents of India. Even today he continues to be an inspiration to many people of all ages. His commitment to technology and service to the country is an inspiration. Today we are going to discuss more APJ Abdul Kalam’s life and his inspirational works.
Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam Birth
Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam was born on 15th October 1931, Rameshwaram to Jainulabdeen, and Imam. Kalam had four brothers and a sister. Kalam’s family went through a tough time and Kalam had to sell newspapers as a child to help his family’s financial status.
Education: Kalam completed his schooling in Ramanathapuram and earned a physics degree from Saint Joseph’s College. In the year 1955, he went to Madras Institute of Technology to study Aerospace engineering because it was his dream to become a fighter pilot. But that dream was shattered when he missed the qualifier for the fighter pilot by a small margin. Kalam always believed that the significance of three key players in society – mother, father, and teacher. He believed that all these three played their part correctly, India can become a nation with beautiful minds.
A.P.J Abdul Kalam Career:
But that didn’t stop him to work for the country. He got a job as a scientist at the Aeronautical Development Establishment of the Defense Research and Development Organization, where he worked under Vikram Sarabhai. Then he transferred to ISRO(Indian Space Research Organization) as the project director of the SLV. With his sheer commitment and passion, he successfully deployed the satellite Rohini in 1980. Rohini is first India’s SLV. Later on, Kalam worked to develop the PSLV as well.
His research on SLV technology led him to the advanced missile development program. APJ Abdul Kalam was the chief executive of the Integrated Guided Missile Development program when R Venkataraman was the Defense Minister of the country.
Because of his excellent work and commitment to the project. He was given the title ” Missile Man of India”
Kalam valued friendship and during his lifetime he had some wonderful friends who helped him. Kalam says “ One best book is equal to hundred good friends but one good friend is equal to a library.”
11th President of India: In the year 2002, Abdul Kalam was elected as the 11th President of India and he won the election by a huge margin. Kalam became the first scientist to become India’s president and the first bachelor too. Kalam had a wonderful way of defining a leader. He believed that a person who has vision and passion is not afraid of obstacles that come his way is a leader. He believed firmly that only a person who knows how to overcome obstacles in his life can be a leader and he proved it with his full-term rule.
His quote “ Winners are not those who never fail but those who never quit” describes his determination and his passion for his work.
He completed his full term till 2007 and became the people’s president. His popularity grew amongst the people, especially with the school children. His speeches, his novels, and his quotes gave immense motivation to the youth of the country. For his contribution to the country, Kalam was awarded Padma Bhushan in 1981, Padma Vibhushan in 1990, Bharat Ratna in 1997, Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration in 1997, Veer Savarkar Award in 1998, King Charles II Medal in 2007, and doctor of science given by Edinburgh University, the UK in 2014.
Books which are written by APJ Abdul Kalam
1. Wings of Fire
2. India 2020: A Vision for the New Millennium
3. Ignited Minds: Unleashing the Power within India
4. Transcendence: My Spiritual Experiences with Pramukh Swamiji
5. A Manifesto for change: A sequel to India 2020.
Death: While giving a lecture at the IIM Shillong on 27th July 2015, Kalam died of cardiac arrest. The government of India declared a 7-day state mourning and he was laid to rest with full honors at his native Rameswaram. His birthday which falls on October 15th is celebrated as World Students Day for his unwavering love towards the students and value for education.
APJ Abdul Kalam’s life is an inspiration to many. He was a man who believed in dreams and inspired the youth to make those dreams into action. His famous quote says ” Dream, dream, dream. Dreams transform into thoughts and thoughts result into action.”
He never believed in failure and he mentioned in one of his quotes which says ” Failure will never overtake me if my definition is to succeed is strong enough”
His amazing work, his love for technology, science, and his passion to win anything in life is inspirational to many.
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