The country is mourning over the demise of one of India’s great scientists and former President APJ Abdul Kalam. This inspirational, Bharat Ratna recipient has left behind us a legacy of inspiration and guidance, to succeed in every aspect of life. He breathed his last while doing what he was known best for-imparting knowledge at IIM Shillong.
Abdul Kalam was a people’s president, who was loved by one and all. Here’s why India’s youth will be forever inspired by the missile man of India.
1. Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam came from a financially poor background and used to distribute newspapers after school, to support his family’s income.
2. He was never the first ranker at school, but he was known for his bright mind and hard work. His strong desire to learn mathematics set him apart from the other students.
3. His poor financial condition never stopped him from dreaming to be a literate. After completing his school, he did not give up his education to work. He attended Saint Joseph’s College, Tiruchirappalli and graduated with a degree in Physics, in 1954.
4. However, he lost interest in Physics, by the end of the course. He later joined a course to study aerospace engineering with the help of scholarship, in Madras.
5. He had to complete a science project, which had a deadline of three days. The dean of the college threatened APJ Abdul Kalam that he will lose his scholarship if he didn’t complete the project within the deadline.
6. APJ Abdul Kalam worked tirelessly to finish the project on time and he did. This impressed the dean.
7. APJ Abdul Kalam too had some unfulfilled dreams. He wanted to become a fighter pilot. However, he was placed ninth in the qualifier and only eight positions were available at the Indian Air Force (IAF).
8. He started his scientific career by designing a small helicopter for the Indian Army.
9. Kalam was also a part of the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR) team, working under another great Indian scientist, Vikram Sarabhai.
10. Kalam who rigorously worked for the development of ballistic missile got him the title of Missile Man.
11. Kalam was invited by Raja Ramanna to witness the country’s first nuclear test, Smiling Buddha, as the representative of Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL), even though he had not participated in its development.
12. Kalam served as the Chief Scientific Adviser to the Prime Minister and the Secretary of the Defence Research and Development Organisation from July 1992 to December 1999.
13. Kalam served as the 11th President of India, succeeding K. R. Narayanan. He won the 2002 presidential election with an electoral vote of 922,884. He served as the President from July 25, 2002 to July 25, 2007.
14. After completing his second term as the President of India, Kalam launched a programme for the youth of India, What Can I Give Movement, with the idea and central theme of defeating corruption in our nation.
15. APJ Abdul Kalam holds the highest civilians honour of our country. In 1997, the Government of India honoured him with the highest civilian title, Bharat Ratna.
16. He has several honorary doctorates from 40 universities, from across the globe.
17. He also has various biographies on his life and work as a scientist.
18. There are various documentaries made on his life. The famous Bollywood movie, I Am Kalam, was inspired by his work and life.
Image courtesy: Reuters
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