Dr APJ Abdul Kalam worked with ISRO and DRDO. (Image: Shutterstock)
In 1990, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam was awarded the Padma Bhushan, and in 1997, he was bestowed with the Bharat Ratna.
Former president of India Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam aka Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, passed away on July 27, 2015. The “Missile Man of India” and the “People’s President” passed away while giving a speech at the Indian Institute of Management-Shillong. One of the greatest educators in history, Dr Kalam also made a substantial contribution to the development of Indian space and military research.
Dr APJ Abdul Kalam was born on October 15, 1931, into a Tamil Muslim family in the revered town of Rameswaram. As a child, Dr Kalam sold newspapers to make ends meet in his family’s modest earnings.
He was a clever, diligent student who put in a lot of effort in his studies, particularly in mathematics. He was driven to do his best. Growing up, he majored in aerospace engineering and physics.
Dr APJ Abdul Kalam has held positions in the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) as a scientist and scientific administrator.
He oversaw the SLV-III project, which launched the Rohini satellite into Earth’s orbit as the first satellite launch vehicle. In addition, he carried out the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme, which gained him the title of being called the “Missile Man of India.”
Among other breakthroughs, the nation produced the anti-tank missile Nag, the surface-to-air missile Trishul, and the surface-to-surface missile Prithvi under Dr Kalam’s direction.
The 1998 nuclear weapon test in India, spearheaded by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, was significantly influenced by Dr Kalam. The Pokhran-II tests in May 1998 elevated him to a household name, even though the global community felt appalled by the development and even imposed financial sanctions on India.
Working along with cardiologist Soma Raju, Dr Kalam created the low-cost “Kalam-Raju Stent” in 1998. The two collaborated to create the Kalam-Raju Tablet in 2012, a durable tablet computer for remote health care.
In 1990, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan, and in 1997, he was bestowed with the Bharat Ratna, the nation’s highest civilian honour. On his death anniversary, let’s take a look at 10 of Dr Kalam’s quotes:
APJ Abdul Kalam Death Anniversary: Top 10 Inspiring Quotes By The ’Missile Man of India’
- “What actions are most excellent? To gladden the heart of a human being, to feed the hungry, to help the afflicted to lighten the sorrow of the sorrowful and to remove the wrongs of injured…”
- “When you speak, speak the truth; perform when you promise; discharge your trust… Withhold your hands from striking, and from taking that which is unlawful and bad…”
- “It Is Very Easy To Defeat Someone, But It Is Very Hard To Win Someone”
- “All Birds find shelter during a rain. But the Eagle avoids rain by flying above the Clouds. Problems are common, but attitude makes the difference!!!”
- “If you want to shine like a sun, first burn like a sun.”
- “Don’t take rest after your first victory because if you fail in the second, more lips are waiting to say that your first victory was just luck.”
- “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.”
- “Thinking should become your capital asset, no matter whatever ups and downs you come across in your life.”
- “Thinking is progress. Non-thinking is the stagnation of the individual, organisation and country. Thinking leads to action. Knowledge without action is useless and irrelevant. Knowledge with action converts adversity into prosperity.”
- “Man needs difficulties in life because they are necessary to enjoy success.”
