Table of Contents
Introduction: Who was Dr APJ Abdul Kalam?
Dr Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam, popularly known as the Missile Man of India, was born on October 15, 1931, in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu. He rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most respected scientists and statesmen in the country. He served as the 11th President of India from 2002 to 2007, and was widely admired for his simplicity, humility and accessibility. He was also a prolific writer, speaker and teacher, who inspired millions of students across the country and abroad to dream big and work hard.
Dr APJ Abdul Kalam’s Contributions to Science and Technology
Dr Kalam had a passion for science and technology since his childhood. He graduated in physics from St Joseph’s College, Tiruchirappalli, in 1954, and then studied aerospace engineering at the Madras Institute of Technology. He joined the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in 1958, where he worked on designing hovercrafts and helicopters. In 1969, he moved to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), where he played a key role in developing India’s first satellite launch vehicle, SLV-3, which launched Rohini satellite in 1980.
Dr Kalam also led the development of India’s missile programme, which earned him the nickname of Missile Man. He was involved in projects such as Agni, Prithvi, Akash, Nag and Trishul, which enhanced India’s defence capabilities. He also supervised the Pokhran-II nuclear tests in 1998, which established India as a nuclear power. He received several awards and honours for his scientific achievements, including the Padma Shri, Padma Vibhushan and Bharat Ratna.
Dr APJ Abdul Kalam’s Vision for India and the World
Dr Kalam had a vision of transforming India into a developed nation by 2020. He outlined his vision in his books such as India 2020: A Vision for the New Millennium, Ignited Minds: Unleashing the Power Within India and The Luminous Sparks. He advocated for promoting education, innovation, entrepreneurship, rural development, environmental sustainability and national security as the pillars of development. He also emphasised on the need for fostering a culture of peace and harmony among different religions, communities and nations.
Dr Kalam was a global citizen who travelled extensively and interacted with people from diverse backgrounds. He visited over 40 countries and addressed several international forums such as the United Nations, the European Parliament and the World Economic Forum. He also received honorary doctorates from over 40 universities around the world. He was a strong advocate for nuclear disarmament and global cooperation for tackling challenges such as poverty, climate change and terrorism.
Dr APJ Abdul Kalam’s Inspirational Quotes for Students
Dr Kalam was a great teacher who loved to interact with students and motivate them to pursue their dreams. He often visited schools, colleges and universities to deliver lectures and answer questions from students. He also wrote several books for children such as Wings of Fire, My Journey and Indomitable Spirit. He shared his life experiences, insights and wisdom with students through his stories, anecdotes and quotes. Some of his famous quotes for students are:
- “Dream is not that which you see while sleeping it is something that does not let you sleep.”
- “You have to dream before your dreams can come true.”
- “Failure will never overtake me if my definition to succeed is strong enough.”
- “Creativity is seeing the same thing but thinking differently.”
- “Learning gives creativity, creativity leads to thinking, thinking provides knowledge, knowledge makes you great.”
- “Don’t read success stories, you will only get a message. Read failure stories, you will get some ideas to get success.”
- “If you want to shine like a sun. First burn like a sun.”
- “All birds find shelter during a rain. But eagle avoids rain by flying above the clouds.”
- “Man needs difficulties in life because they are necessary to enjoy the success.”
- “If you fail, never give up because FAIL means “First Attempt In Learning”.”
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