“You have to dream before your dreams can come true.”
On this day, five years ago, the 11th President of India, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam passed away. With the sudden demise of Kalam came an immeasurable loss for India. Before a President Kalam was a prominent Scientist and had immensely contributed to the field of aeronautics, which earned him the title of, ‘Missile Man of India’. He inspired loads of people with his, ‘Simple living and high thinking’ philosophy. Even after his sudden demise, Dr Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam continues to be an inspiration to the country
- A Peek into Kalam’s life:
Dr A.P.J Abdul Kalam was born on 15 October 1931 to a Tamil Muslim family in Dhanushkodi, Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu. Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. Kalam had a great attraction towards Physics and Aerospace Engineering but little did he knew then that it was more of a destiny than interest. Later, Kalam became the Secretary and Science administrator at DRDO, Defence Reaserch and Development Organisation. He served as the Chief Scientific Adviser to the PM and Secretary of the DRDO for a tenure of seven-year (1992-1999) before getting elected as the President of India in 2002.
Kalam was very popular among kids and inspired them to think big in life. He also always rooted to ground despite achieving many grandeurs and Honours. Truly a trait a greatness. He often urged to people to dream big and was himself a dreamer. And it will be no exaggeration that it was his reverie nature that made him the, ‘Missile Man of India’. Kalam often communicates with the kids and youth of the nation and thus was widely known to as “People’s President”.
- Kalam’s achievements:
Kalam’s dedication towards developing ballistic missile, ‘Agni’ and ‘Prithvi’ and launch vehicle technology earned him the title of Missile Man of India. He even played major part in the Pokhran-II nuclear tests, yet another milestone in his storied career.
Kalam was honoured with several prestigious awards including India’s highest civilian honour Bharat Ratna in 1997, Padma Bhushan (1997) and Padma Vibhushan (1990). Not only that but he also received several Honorary Doctorates from about 48 Institution and Universities, India and abroad. Dr APJ Abdul Kalam was truly an epitome of intellect, inspiration and simplicity. Despite being so successful and talented, Dr Kalam never married, he was India’s first Bachelor and Vegetarian President.
Kalam penned several books in his lifetime, nearly about 25 or so, including an autobiography Wings of Fire (1999). Some of his books are India 2020, Vision for the new Millennium, Mission of India: A Vision of Youth and the list goes on. He autobiography was penned and published in English but was later translated into 13 languages including French and Chinese. Kalam’s work inspired many and any, as a result despite his autobiography, there are 6 more biographies penned by his admirers.
- Sudden demise of the Missile Man of India:
The Missile man of India passed away while delivering a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management Shillong, Kalam collapsed and died from an apparent cardiac arrest on 27 July 2015, aged 83. His sudden demise sent the entire nation into the bottomless pit of grief. Thousands of people including national-level dignitaries attended the funeral ceremony held in his hometown of Rameswaram, where he was buried with full state honours. Even today his presence if felt and missed by many and will continue to do so. Kalam’s contribution in the field of Aerospace Engineering has tongue-tied many till. Recenytly, Scientists at NASA have named a new organism discovered by them after the much loved, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. Although, Solibacillus kalamii has been found only on the International Space Station and not on Earth. But it’s still huge discovery and a feat for India. And there wouldn’t have been a more appropriate name for this bacteria.
