World Student's Day

Dear Readers,

Today marks the 84th birth anniversary of former Indian President Dr. Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam or APJ Abdul Kalam.

Born to Tamil Muslim parents in Rameswaram ,  to Jainulabdeen and Ashiamma on October 15, 1931, Tamil Nadu. Kalam was a bright and hardworking student.  He came from a family whose 





financial conditions weren’t sound enough. As a means to support his family’s meagre income, Kalam took up odd jobs in his childhood but never gave up on his education. He graduated from Saint Joseph's College, Tiruchirappalli in 1954 but not satisfied with his degree, he left for Madras later next year to study aerospace engineering. He enrolled at the Madras Institute of Technology (MIT).

Career

After graduating from MIT, Kalam took up the position of chief scientist at the Aeronautical Development Establishment of Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO). However, the profile didn’t appeal Kalam much who shifted to the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) where he was the project director of India's first indigenous Satellite Launch Vehicle. His years at the ISRO were the most crucial ones, as they left a lasting impact on him.

Kalam lead many projects and turned out to be successful each time. In the 1970s, Kalam directed two projects, namely, Project Devil and Project Valiant, which sought to develop ballistic missiles from the technology of the successful SLV programme.

A milestone was achieved when locally built Rohini-1 was launched into space, using the SLV rocket. Upon watching the raving success of Kalam, the government agreed for initiation of an advanced missile program under his directorship.

He played a pivotal role in developing missiles under the missions Agni and Prithvi. Kalam was the Chief Executive of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (I.G.M.D.P) which researched in simultaneous development of a quiver of missiles instead of taking planned missiles one by one. From 1992 until 1999, Kalam was appointed as the Chief Scientific Adviserto the Prime Minister and the Secretary of Defence Research and Development Organisation.

It was during this time that Kalam served as the Chief Project Coordinator for Pokhran II nuclear tests, after which he was fondly called the “Missile Man of India”. Kalam succeeded K. R. Narayan to serve as the 11th President of India from 2002 until 2007. It was a highly one-sided 

contest. With his appointment, Kalam became the first scientist and first ever bachelor to occupy the Rastrapati Bhawan. During his tenure as a President, Kalam was both appreciated and criticised. The latter was mostly due to his inaction in deciding the fate of 20 mercy petitioners.

In addition to all the profiles that Kalam holds, he has authored numerous influential and inspirational books. Amongst all his books, “India 2020” was the widely read and appreciated one. It forecasted an action plan which advocated India turning into a knowledge superpower and as one of the developed nations of the world by the year 2020. His other books include, “Ignited Minds”, “Mission India”, “Inspiring Thoughts” and “The Luminous Sparks”. In 2011, he launched his mission for the youth of the nation called the “What Can I Give Movement” with the main aim to defeat corruption in India .

Awards & Achievements

Kalam is the proud recipient of Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan and Bharat Ratna awards from the Government of India. He received the same in the years 1981, 1990 and 1997, respectively. In 1997, he was honored by the Government of India with the Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration.

Later, the next year, he was awarded the Veer Savarkar Awardby the Government of India. The Alwars Research Centre, Chennai bestowed Kalam with the Ramanujan Award in the year 2000. Kalam was honored with the King Charles II Medal by the Royal Society, U.K in 2007. The California Institute of Technology, U.S.A presented Kalam with the International von Kármán Wings Award in the year 2009. Same year, he won the Hoover Medal by ASME Foundation, USA

.

The IEEE honored Kalam with IEEE Honorary Membership in 2011. Kalam is the proud recipient of honorary doctorates from 40 universities.  He was nominated for the MTV Youth Icon of the Year award in 2003 and in 2006.

Often called the "People's President", Kalam, the 11th President of India from 2002 to 2007, is also the father of India's military missile program.

List of Books(Written By A.P.J. Abdul Kalam):

·Developments in Fluid Mechanics and Space Technology (1988)

·India 2020: A Vision for the New Millennium (1998)

·Wings of Fire: An Autobiography

·Ignited minds: Unleashed the Power With India (2002)

·The Luminous Sparks (2004)

·Mission India (2005)

·Inspiring Thoughts (2007)

·Indomitable Spirit (2007)

·Envisioning an Empowered Nation (2010)

·You Are Born To Blossom: Take My Journey Beyond (2011)

·Turning points: A journey through challenges (2012)

·Target 3 Billion (2011)

·My Journey: Transforming Dreams into Actions (2013)

                                   

·A Manifesto for Change: A Sequel to India 2020 (2014)

·Transcendence My Spiritual Experiences with Pramukh Swamiji (2015)

The renowned scientist, who inspired millions of people from around the world, passed away in Shillong, Meghalaya, while addressing the students of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) on 27, July, 2015.

Following the death of Kalam, there were many reports that United Nations will observe his birth date as the World Students' Day. 

Check out some notable inspiring quotes by APJ Abdul Kalam:

(1)Those who cannot work with their hearts achieve but a hollow, half-hearted success that breeds bitterness all around.

(2)Educationists should build the capacities of the spirit of inquiry, creativity, entrepreneurial and moral leadership among students and become their role model.

You have to dream before your dreams can come true.

(3)We should not give up and we should not allow the problem to defeat us.

(4)Man needs his difficulties because they are necessary to enjoy success.

(5)Creativity is the key to success in the future, and primary education is where teachers can bring creativity in children at that level.

(6)No religion has mandated killing others as a requirement for its sustenance or promotion.

(7)Economy forced me to become a vegetarian, but I finally starting liking it.

(8)War is never a lasting solution for any problem.

(9)The youth need to be enabled to become job generators from job seekers.

(10)A teacher should have a creative mind.

(11)To become 'unique,' the challenge is to fight the hardest battle which anyone can imagine until you reach your destination.

(12)Great teachers emanate out of knowledge, passion and compassion.