Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam is a famous scientist who helped India with its missile program. He was also the 11th President of India.
What We Can Learn From the Life of APJ Abdul Kalam.
“Thinking is the capital, Enterprise is the way, Hard Work is the solution”― Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, Ignited Minds: Unleashing the Power Within India
15th October is the birth anniversary of Dr. Kalam and in his honour, the day is celebrated as World Students Day. Dr. Kalam served as India’s 11th President (2002-2007) and was a renowned scientist and educator. Stories from the lifetime of Dr. Kalam are of great inspiration to many.
Kalam was born on 15 October 1931 in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu. His father, Jainulabudeen, was a boat owner and imam of a local mosque. Kalam studied at Central College in Madras and earned his bachelor’s degree in science from the University of Madras before going to study aerospace engineering at MIT in the United States where he obtained his PhD degree from the institution’s School of Engineering.
His Early Years and Journey to Become India’s President
A P J Abdul Kalam always wanted to become a scientist and his dream came true when he became one of India’s most respected scientists and engineers. His journey is inspiring for everyone who has a dream but are not sure how they will make it come true.
Achievements:
-He was the first person from an Indian background to be elected as the president of India in 2002
-He was also awarded with Bharat Ratna award in 1997
-He served as the 11th President of India from 2002 to 2007
-In 2014, he passed away at the age of 83 due to cardiac arrest
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Legacy and Thoughts on Education
Dr. Kalam was educated in a government school and later went to study at the Madras Institute of Technology. He then pursued his higher education from the Indian Institute of Science and later from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where he obtained his doctorate degree in aerospace engineering.
Dr. Kalam is one of India’s most well-known scientists and also served as India’s 11th president from 2002 to 2007. He is credited with developing India’s first satellite launch vehicle (SLV-III) and nuclear weapons; he led the team that developed India’s first indigenous Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV) while working at ISRO, which successfully deployed the Rohini satellite into orbit on July 18, 1980
The following are some thoughts on education by Dr APJ Abdul Kalam
Dr Kalam, had a lot to say about the education system in India. He believes that children are not being taught to innovate and sometimes are being taught the wrong things. He believes that students should be provided with opportunities for experiential learning and creativity so that they get a hands-on experience with the material they are being taught.
Important Moments in his Last Few Years as President of India
Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam was a visionary who dedicated his entire life to the growth of India’s scientific research and development efforts and the promotion of self-reliance in defense production. He was also known for his quotes about students.
A.P.J Abdul Kalam is one of the most respected presidents in Indian history, he is well-known for his quotes on students and education, which are as follows:
- “The best way to predict the future is to create it.”
- “I never had any money or opportunity, but I made my own opportunities.”
- “If you want something badly enough, you will find a way.”
He always said it is important to be humble and respect everyone. He says that these life lessons are not just for Indian children, but they can also be applied to the rest of the world.
It is important to be humble and respectful of others. This is something that Apj Abdul Kalam had learned from his life and he wanted to pass on this message with his book. He believed this message was the most important one to share with people in the form of his trilogy- Wings of Fire, Ignited Minds, and India 2020.
