A. P. J. Abdul Kalam famous quotes in english

A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, known as the “Missile Man of India,” was a distinguished Indian aerospace scientist and the 11th President of India from 2002 to 2007.

Born on October 15, 1931, in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, he played a pivotal role in India’s civilian space program and military missile development, particularly the Pokhran-II nuclear tests in 1998. Renowned for his humility and dedication to education, Kalam inspired millions through his vision for India’s development. He passed away on July 27, 2015, while delivering a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management Shillong.

A. P. J. Abdul Kalam Biography :

A. P. J. Abdul Kalam was born in Rameswaram, a small island town in Tamil Nadu, India. He came from a modest family; his father, Jainulabdeen, was a boat owner and imam of a local mosque, while his mother, Ashiamma, was a homemaker. Despite their limited means, his parents instilled strong values of discipline, hard work, and education in him.

Kalam’s early life was marked by financial challenges. To support his family, he distributed newspapers as a young boy after school. Despite these hardships, he was an avid learner and showed a keen interest in science and mathematics.

He completed his schooling at Schwartz Higher Secondary School in Ramanathapuram and then attended St. Joseph’s College, Tiruchirappalli, where he graduated in Physics in 1954. Determined to pursue a career in aerospace, he later enrolled at the Madras Institute of Technology (MIT), where he studied aerospace engineering. His time at MIT laid the foundation for his future contributions to India’s space and defense programs.

Career in Aerospace and Defense After graduating from MIT in 1960, Kalam joined the Aeronautical Development Establishment of the Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) as a scientist. He began his career designing helicopters for the Indian Army but soon moved to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), where he played a pivotal role in developing India’s first Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-III), which successfully deployed the Rohini satellite in 1980. This achievement marked India’s entry into the space age.

In the 1980s, Kalam returned to DRDO and led the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP), which resulted in the development of several key missiles, including Agni, Prithvi, Trishul, and Akash. His work in this area earned him the nickname “Missile Man of India.” Kalam’s leadership in the development of these missile systems significantly strengthened India’s defense capabilities.

The Pokhran-II Nuclear Tests One of A. P. J. Abdul Kalam’s most significant contributions came in 1998 when he played a key role in the success of India’s second nuclear test series, known as Pokhran-II. As the Chief Scientific Adviser to the Prime Minister and the head of the DRDO, Kalam was instrumental in the planning and execution of these tests, which established India as a nuclear power. The successful tests were a critical milestone in India’s defense history and further solidified Kalam’s reputation as a national hero.

Presidency (2002-2007) In 2002, A. P. J. Abdul Kalam was elected as the 11th President of India with overwhelming support from both the ruling party and the opposition. His presidency was marked by a people-centric approach, earning him the title of “People’s President.” Unlike many of his predecessors, Kalam was highly accessible, often engaging with the public, particularly students, and encouraging them to dream big and work hard to achieve their goals.

During his tenure, Kalam continued to emphasize the importance of education, technology, and national development. He advocated for his Vision 2020 plan, which aimed to transform India into a developed nation by 2020. Although his term as President ended in 2007, his influence and popularity continued to grow, making him one of India’s most beloved leaders.

Post-Presidency and Legacy After leaving the presidency, A. P. J. Abdul Kalam remained active in public life, dedicating himself to teaching, writing, and inspiring the youth of India. He visited numerous educational institutions, delivering lectures and interacting with students, whom he saw as the future of the nation. His dedication to education was evident in his numerous books, including “Wings of Fire,” his autobiography, and “India 2020: A Vision for the New Millennium,” where he laid out his ideas for India’s progress.

Kalam’s contributions were recognized with numerous awards, including the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honor, in 1997, and the Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan in 1981 and 1990, respectively.

Final Moments and Passing On July 27, 2015, A. P. J. Abdul Kalam passed away at the age of 83 while delivering a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management Shillong. He collapsed from a cardiac arrest and, despite efforts to revive him, was declared dead later that evening. His sudden passing shocked the nation, and millions mourned the loss of a man who had devoted his life to the service of his country.

Kalam’s legacy lives on through his inspirational life story, his contributions to science and technology, and his unwavering belief in the potential of India’s youth. He remains a symbol of humility, dedication, and the power of dreams.

A. P. J. Abdul Kalam inspirational quotes :

Here are some inspirational quotes by A. P. J. Abdul Kalam :

1. “Dream, dream, dream. Dreams transform into thoughts and thoughts result in action.”
2. “You have to dream before your dreams can come true.”
3. “If you want to shine like a sun, first burn like a sun.”
4. “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.”
5. “All of us do not have equal talent. But, all of us have an equal opportunity to develop our talents.”
6. “To succeed in your mission, you must have single-minded devotion to your goal.”
7. “Excellence is a continuous process and not an accident.”
8. “Let us sacrifice our today so that our children can have a better tomorrow.”
9. “Man needs his difficulties because they are necessary to enjoy success.”
10. “The best brains of the nation may be found on the last benches of the classroom.”

A. P. J. Abdul Kalam’s key achievements include :

1. Missile Development: Kalam played a crucial role in developing India’s ballistic missile technology, earning him the nickname “Missile Man of India.” His work on the Agni and Prithvi missiles significantly strengthened India’s defense capabilities.
2. Pokhran-II Nuclear Tests (1998): As the Chief Scientific Adviser to the Prime Minister, Kalam was instrumental in the success of India’s second nuclear test series, which established India as a nuclear power.
3. Indian Space Program: A. P. J. Abdul Kalam contributed to the development of the Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-III), which successfully deployed the Rohini satellite in 1980, marking India’s entry into the space age.
4. Vision 2020: Kalam was a strong advocate for transforming India into a developed nation by 2020. His book, “India 2020: A Vision for the New Millennium,” outlines his strategic vision for the country’s future.
5. Presidency (2002-2007): As the 11th President of India, Kalam was known as the “People’s President” for his accessibility and engagement with the public, particularly the youth. He focused on education, innovation, and national development.
6. Education and Youth Inspiration: Throughout his life, Kalam emphasized the importance of education and inspired millions of students with his motivational speeches and writings, encouraging them to dream big and contribute to the nation’s growth.
7. Awards and Honors: A. P. J. Abdul Kalam received numerous awards, including the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honor, in 1997 for his contributions to science and technology.

Kalam’s famous books & Review :

A. P. J. Abdul Kalam authored several influential books, many of which reflect his thoughts on science, technology, education, and national development. Some of his most famous books include:

1. “Wings of Fire” (1999): An autobiographical account that traces A. P. J. Abdul Kalam’s journey from his humble beginnings in Rameswaram to becoming a leading scientist in India’s space and missile programs. The book is inspirational, highlighting the challenges he overcame and his contributions to India.
2. “India 2020: A Vision for the New Millennium” (1998): Co-authored with Y. S. Rajan, this book outlines Kalam’s vision for transforming India into a developed nation by 2020. It discusses strategies across various sectors such as agriculture, education, infrastructure, and technology.
3. “Ignited Minds: Unleashing the Power Within India” (2002): This book focuses on the potential of India’s youth and the importance of education and innovation. Kalam emphasizes the need to harness the collective energy of young Indians to achieve national progress.
4. “The Luminous Sparks” (2004): A unique collection of Kalam’s poems and photographs, along with his reflections on his life, work, and vision for India. The book is both artistic and thought-provoking.
5. “Turning Points: A Journey Through Challenges” (2012): A sequel to “Wings of Fire,” this book covers the later stages of A. P. J. Abdul Kalam’s life, particularly his presidency, and the challenges he faced during that time. It provides insights into his leadership and decision-making processes.
6. “My Journey: Transforming Dreams into Actions” (2013): This book is a personal narrative of Kalam’s life, sharing stories of people and experiences that influenced him. It is written in a simple and heartfelt style, making it accessible to a broad audience.
7. “A Manifesto for Change: A Sequel to India 2020” (2014): Co-authored with V. Ponraj, this book revisits the goals set in “India 2020” and discusses what needs to be done to achieve them. It is a call to action for Indians to contribute to national development.
8. “Transcendence: My Spiritual Experiences with Pramukh Swamiji” (2015): This book explores Kalam’s spiritual journey and his relationship with Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the spiritual leader of the Swaminarayan movement. It delves into the intersection of science and spirituality in Kalam’s life.

These books reflect Kalam’s wide-ranging interests and his deep commitment to India’s growth and development.