APJ Abdul Kalam: A Personality To Pursuant
Born as Abul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam to a Tamil Muslim couple Jainulabdeen and Ashiamma in Rameswaram. He was an Industrious child and opportunistic too. Earned his first wage by selling tamarind and collecting newspapers. He inherited honesty and self-discipline from his father and faith in goodness and kindness from his mother. The intellectual discussion with his brother-in-law proved fruitful in shaping his life.
His religion was humanity. He offered namaz in the mosque and with the same enthusiasm walked into the streets of Rameswaram around temples. The idea of secularism is well nurtured in him by his parents. Despite being a devout Muslim, his past time included reading the
Bhagavad Gita, playing the veena, and listening to Indian music.
Here is an incident that changed his life. As a child, he also loved watching birds fly which motivated him to become an Indian air fighter pilot. He lost his dream by one rank but accepted failure, moved on, and have faith in something better in the future.
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam worked as an engineer, scientist, professor, and once as the President of India. Awarded with the title “Missile Man of India” for his dedication and service towards Science and Technology. He had a prominent role in the development of Indian missile technology and launch vehicle technology. He played a political and technological role in Pokhran’s second nuclear test.
After he was elected the president of India he invited a cobbler and the owner of a very small hotel as a presidential guest at an event. This incident reflects his gratitude to them and that he never forgot his roots. He was widely known as the 'people’s president'.
There was an incident when he has to attend a college event, he paid a surprise late-night visit to the students of the organizing committee a day before and chatted with them for hours. Here I just mentioned one of the many stories that reflect his special bonding with children.Toured innumerable schools, shared experiences and struggles of his life with students, and in return got their feedbacks and ideas.
“If people will remember me as a good teacher, that will be the biggest
honour of me”, said in an interview.
He looked at Vikram Sarabhai for inspiration and now the whole generation looks at him for inspiration. He taught us all we need to do is hard work, determination, and the spirit to dream beyond our immediate reality. What he spoke, was his experiences.
Conferred with the Padma Vibhushan, the Bharat Ratna, and many others from the Indian government and International communities. In addition to his achievements, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam was known for his simplicity, humble lifestyle, modesty, personal integrity, and vision for India.
His greatness is his simplicity. He did not own any property but saved his 2500 books. He did not spend a luxurious life. He entered the Rashtrapati Bhavan with one suitcase and left with the same one. He survived on royalty that he received from his books. He wrote many books but the most notable one is "India 2020" which has an action plan to make India a superpower.
He was the epitome of simple living and high thinking. The words are less to express his legacies and deeds. Even at the last moment of his life, he was inspiring the youths of our country. There are hopes from present generations and generations to come that they work for the betterment of society and technology for the glorification of India.
- Roshani Kumari
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