2016-07-25 Mon

“Excellence is a continuous process and not an accident”: A quote that rightly sums up APJ Kalam’s life. From having to sell newspapers to support the family and being an average student in his school years to one of most brilliant minds of Modern India, his life story and achievements are one which fills each of our hearts with pride.

A son of a boat owner and imam of a local mosque in Tamil Nadu grew up to become the First Citizen of India. APJ Abdul Kalam served as the 11th President of India from 2002 until 2007. Widely referred to as the "People's President," he was sworn in on 25th July 2002.

In his early years, he was a scientist and project head at India’s most prestigious organizations like the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

His contribution at both these institutions is immense. He oversaw many projects such as Project Devil and Project Valiant and launch of the Rohini-1, along with developing missiles under Agni and Prithvi missions. He was also appointed as the Chief Scientific Adviser to the Prime Minister and the Secretary of Defence Research and Development Organisation. He also served as the Chief Project Coordinator for Pokhran II nuclear tests. For this, he was popularly called as the “Missile Man of India”.

APJ Abdul Kalam was honoured with a great many laurels and awards for his work by the Government of India and other countries as well. He was bestowed with Padma Bhushan (1981), Padma Vibhushan (1990) and Bharat Ratna (1997) awards from the Government of India. Such was his popularity that he was nominated for the MTV Youth Icon of the Year award in 2003 and in 2006!

He always used to say that he would like to be remembered as a teacher. Even during his Presidential years, he continued his passion for igniting young minds and giving them wings. Post-presidency too, he continued his civilian life as a teacher and was a visiting professor at various institutions.

He penned many inspiring books and advocated an action plan to develop India into a "knowledge superpower" and a developed nation by the year 2020 in his famous book “India 2020”.

A teacher till the very end: he collapsed suffering a massive cardiac arrest during the lecture at the IIM in Shillong on 27th July 2015. He was the most popular President of India and was laid to rest on 30th July with full state honours in Tamil Nadu. His birthday, 15tH October was declared by the UN as the “World Student’s Day” and the government recognised it as the “Youth Renaissance Day."

On 15th October 2015 a commemorative postage stamp of INR 5 and FDC was issued featuring Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. In 2009 Sao Tome and Principe issued a Sheet Let honouring the Indian Space Programmes and famous scientist of India. One of the stamps features APJ Abdul Kalam on it.

He truly sacrificed his today to give us a better tomorrow! Let’s honour his wish and work with extra zeal and passion on his death anniversary and aim for success!