A.P.J. Abdul Kalam: The Missile Man of India

A.P.J. Abdul Kalam is a name that shines bright in the annals of Indian history. Known as the "Missile Man of India," A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was a scientist, an engineer, and the 11th President of India. But more than that, he was a kind and humble man who inspired millions of people, especially children, with his wisdom and teachings. In this blog, we discuss the life story of A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, his glittering career, the impact of A.P.J. Abdul Kalam on India, and his lasting legacy.We will also learn about the birthday of A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and how he is remembered even today.

The Early Life of A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was born on October 15, 1931, in a small town called Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, India. The full name of A.P.J. Abdul Kalam is Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam.He came from a humble family wherein his father used to own boats and also acted as an imam of the local mosques; likewise, his mother was a housewife. But young Abdul Kalam's determination to get an education and make a difference in the world was quite undiminished. Curious as a child, A. P. J. Abdul Kalam was always interested in learning new things. Brilliant at school, hard work is something he has since done effortlessly. He needed to wake up early in the morning to distribute newspapers to supplement the family income before he headed out to school. This love for learning never seemed smaller even when he had to work.This determination to succeed and the importance of education would later become key messages in the life story of A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

A.P.J. Abdul Kalam's Education and Early Career

A.P.J. Abdul Kalam completed his schooling and then joined St. Joseph's College in Tiruchirappalli for studying physics. Later, he went to MIT at Madras Institute of Technology to study aerospace engineering. Thus, a scientist of great repute was born.

A.P.J. Abdul Kalam's early career at the Defence Research and Development Organisation and later at the Indian Space Research Organisation formed his basics. He went to DRDO and worked on hovercraft development. However, his real passion lay in the field of space and missile technology, for which he got to explore further when he joined ISRO.

The Missile Man of India

A.P.J. Abdul Kalam is popularly known as the "Missile Man of India," because he played very important roles in developing India's missile development programs. He was the chief architect behind the development of the Agni and Prithvi missiles, which were two of India's key achievements in strengthening its defense capabilities. For this reason, his work consequently earned him great respect and recognition in India and around the world.

The life of A.P.J. Abdul Kalam is an epitome of commitment, hard work, and innovation. He kept his belief in science and technology to transform India, thereby making it self-reliant in defense technology. His work was not restricted to missile technology; he played a key role in the 1998 nuclear tests that established India as a nuclear power.

A.P.J. Abdul Kalam as President of India

A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was elected the 11th President of India in the year 2002 and remained in office till 2007. His presidency was noted for his vision about the development of India. The vision he named "Vision 2020," according to which he wanted India to become a developed nation by the year 2020, and his mission was to inspire the youth of the country towards this dream of his.

A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was people's President. Large masses of people, especially children, loved him for his simplicity and humility. He believed that the children were the future of the country and, hence, spoke to the children at every possible opportunity on the values of education, dreaming big, and striving hard to realize those dreams. The full name of A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was a manifestation of inspiration, hope, and progress during his tenure as President.

The Legacy of A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

A.P.J. Abdul Kalam left an indelible mark upon India and its people. His post-presidential life was fully utilized in motivating the youth with unrelenting zeal and guiding them. He authored many books, the most renowned one being "Wings of Fire," an autobiography on A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, which depicts his life and how he overcame the challenges to reach the height of success. This book has encouraged numerous youngsters to follow their dreams, however impossible they may appear.

Another important area where A.P.J. Abdul Kalam played an important role was education. He acted as a visiting professor at many universities and spent more time giving lectures to students across the country. Education, he says, is the strongest ammunition to bring about change in the world, for which he consecrated his life.

Remembering A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

The birthday of A.P.J. Abdul Kalam is celebrated every year on October 15 as "World Students' Day". The day is utilized to pay respects to his services for education, as well as his love for students. Many schools and colleges in India remember him with special programs and also encourage students to learn about this great soul and his achievements.

A.P.J. Abdul Kalam died while giving a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management Shillong on July 27, 2015. The death of this great son of India was a massive loss to the country, but his legacy continued unabated. His life remained an inspiration to millions of people in this world in dreaming big and also striving hard to achieve the same. We will also learn about the birthday of A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and how he is remembered even today.

 A.P.J. Abdul Kalam's Inspirational Quotes on Education and Success

• "Look at the sky. We are not alone. The whole universe is friendly to us and conspires only to give the best to those who dream and work." - APJ Abdul Kalam

• "If you want to shine like a sun, first burn like a sun."  - APJ Abdul Kalam

• "To succeed in your mission, you must have single-minded devotion to your goal."  - APJ Abdul Kalam

• "If four things are followed - having a great aim, acquiring knowledge, hard work, and perseverance - then anything can be achieved."  - APJ Abdul Kalam

• "Climbing to the top demands strength, whether it is to the top of Mount Everest or to the top of your career."  - APJ Abdul Kalam

• "Climbing to the top demands strength, whether it is to the top of Mount Everest or to the top of your career."  - APJ Abdul Kalam

• "Don't take rest after your first victory because if you fail in second, more lips are waiting to say that your first victory was just luck."  - APJ Abdul Kalam

• "To become 'unique,' the challenge is to fight the hardest battle which anyone can imagine until you reach your destination."  - APJ Abdul Kalam

• "Never stop fighting until you arrive at your destined place - the unique you. Have an aim in life, continuously acquire knowledge, work hard, and have perseverance to realise the great life."  - APJ Abdul Kalam

• “Determination is the power that sees us through all our frustrations and obstacles. It helps us in building our willpower which is the very basis of success.” - APJ Abdul Kalam

• “Dream is not that which you see while sleeping it is something that does not let you sleep.” ― A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

Conclusion

The life story of A.P.J. Abdul Kalam is a remarkable journey of determination, hard work, and success. Starting from a small town in Tamil Nadu to the Presidency of India itself, his life story serves as an inspiration for many, giving them hope. APJ Abdul Kalam believed in the power of dreams and in the importance of education; all this, he continues to teach and guide people even today.

On A.P.J. Abdul Kalam's birthday and the memory of his contributions to India and the world, let our contribution be to try and emulate him in our way. We must dream big, work hard, and not give up on our goals until they are attained, just as A.P.J. Abdul Kalam did. His life and legacy will always remain a shining example for generations to come.

FAQs : 

1. What is the Abdul Kalam Scholarship?

The Abdul Kalam Scholarship is a scholarship program run by various institutions in India and abroad to support meritorious students from economically weaker sections of the society. There are a total of 8 such scholarships.

2. Why is Abdul Kalam an inspiration?

Dr Kalam is an inspiration because despite coming from a humble background, he overcame the hardships to become one of the greatest scientists of the 21st century and serve his nation as the 11th president of India.

3. How was Kalam's childhood?

APJ Abdul Kalam called his childhood a secure one because he had loving and caring parents who gave love and guidance to their children and took care of their emotional and physical needs. They provided their children with all necessities, in terms of food, medicine, or clothes.

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