“Learning, learning gives creativity, creativity leads to thinking, thinking provides knowledge and knowledge makes you great.” – DR. APJ Abdul Kalam
He was a patron of science and technology, an aerospace engineer, former President of India, a promoter of peace, a professor, an author, and much more.
He proved himself as a symbol of eternal goodness and wholesomeness in human flesh and bones.
“When there is righteousness in the heart, there is beauty in the character. When there is beauty in the character, there is harmony in the home. When there is harmony in the home, there is order in the nation. And when there is order in the nation there is peace in the world.”
-A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam (APJ Abdul Kalam) was born on 15th of October, 1931 in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu.
His father was an Imam of a local mosque who owned a ferry and mother, a housewife.
A SHORT PROFILE OF HIS SERVICES :
” All of us do not have equal talent but all of us have an equal opportunity to develop our talents”
A graduate of Science from St. Joseph’s College, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu and an Aeronautical Engineer from Madras institute of technology.
Starting his career from the shores of Rameswaram, Today, Dr.Kalam lives inside the hearts and minds of every Indian.
- Doctor Kalam is a Pioneer in fibreglass technology which was employed by ISRO as their first into designing developing and leading to the production of rocket motor cases.
- He directed the project that developed India’s first Satellite Launch Vehicle [SLV-3]
- He contributed to the evolution of ISRO’s launch vehicle program most importantly the PSLV configuration.
- He served as the Chief Executive at Defence Research and Development Organisation DRDO where he was responsible for the development of AGNI and PRITHVI missiles.
- He was the scientific advisor to the ministry of defence where he contributed for the weaponization of strategic missile systems and the Pokhran II nuclear tests which made India a nuclear weapon state.
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He was the chairman of Technology Information Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC)
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With the help of 500 experts, he laid down a road map to transform India into a developed nation. The plan is called Technology Vision 2020.
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He even shared the scientific advisory committee as a minister of cabinet driving India’s millennium mission 2020.
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He collaborated and developed Kalam-Raju cardiac stent which proved much lighter more than 50000 children have been fitted with these till date (A cardiac stent is used to treat narrowed coronary arteries. Stents can also be used to improve blood flow immediately following a heart attack.)
“Life is the most difficult exam, many people fail because they try to copy others not realising that everyone has a different question paper”
- He took up the profession of a Professor of Technological and Societal Transformation at Anna University, Chennai.
During this time, he was on a mission to ignite the young minds for national development. According to an estimate, Dr Kalam spoke to approx 5 million units below the age of 17 in a decade’s time, for their participation in whatever way they choose towards the India vision 2020 a vision for new millennium. - Dr. Kalam became the 11th president of India on 25th July 2002 and held the position for a period of 5 years.
Sir Kalam believed: “India is not poor people’s thinkings is definitely poor, if we think big we can also equally achieve as any other Elite club of nations.”
SELF RELIANT INDIA: DR. APJ ABDUL KALAM’S VISION
- It was doctor APJ Abdul Kalam’s scientific contributions which led to the birth of a new India
- The phrase “Jai Vigyan” was added to the famous slogan Jai Jawan Jai Kisan by Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, celebrating a new phase of Scientific advancement this country stepped into.
- India was now able to design develop and deploy an indigenous missile defence system and underwater launch capacity as a result of doctor APJ Abdul Kalam’s commitment and dedicated hard work.
- Agni and Prithvi missiles were a major thrust towards the idea of India’s Self Reliance in defence systems. Sir Kalam earned the title of “The Missile Man of India”.
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He dreamt of bringing rural prosperity (Bringing urban amenities to rural populations) with help from science and Technology, and tirelessly worked towards it.
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He was even conceptualizing a World Knowledge Platform of organisations from across the nations which can innovate and create solutions to the challenges of the 21st century.
The people’s president was an idol of simplicity, selfless service and inspirational dedication towards the cause of his nation.
An enthusiast of art and culture, he used to play the Veena and was fond of Tamil poetry.
Sir Kalam always continued his passion for education and societal transformation addressing various sections of society right from the school children up to to the policymakers.
He always believed that parents and teachers provide the best support system to a child. He considered “teaching” as the best profession a person can pursue.
“A teacher is a source of radiation of knowledge and purity , capable of shaping dreams and giving vision to lives.”
RECOGNITION AND ACHIEVEMENTS :
A grand and pillar of success through self-will and utmost dedication, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam is one of the most enlightening scientists India has ever produced.
- He received an honorary doctorate from approximately 40 + universities from across the globe.
- Padma Bhushan in 1981
- Padma Vibhushan in 1990
- Bharat Ratna in 1997
- Many National and International Medals and awards in Science and Technology and Public Spheres.
LITERARY PURSUITS:
The books he has authored have become a great source of motivation for people across generations.
- Wings of fire
- India 2020 vision for the new millennium
- My Journey: Transforming Dreams into Actions
- Ignited Minds: Unleashing the power within India
- Guiding Souls
- The Luminous Sparks: A Biography in Verse and Colours
” We must have the courage to act instead of reacting”
Doctor APJ Abdul Kalam dreamt for the goodwill and advancement of his countrymen throughout different walks of life, and devoted his entire life in the service of this nation, created a spark of knowledge into the young minds.
His aim of transforming India from “a developing” to “a developed” nation should never be forgotten.
He asked us to take a simple Oath as The Mantra to succeed,
An oath which states that :
we will have a great aim,
we will continuously acquire knowledge,
we will do hard work,
we will persevere,
and thus, we will succeed.