Essay on Dr Abdul kalam in english { Dr APJ Abdul Kalam essay }
Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, popularly known as the ‘Missile Man’ rose to the height of becoming the first citizen of India i.e. the President of India. One of India’s most adored Presidents, APJ Abdul Kalam, worked as an aerospace engineer with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) before his presidential term. He is known as the ‘Missile man’ for his work on the development of ballistic missiles and launch vehicles.
He was the architect of India’s Integrated Missile Development Programme and a recipient of the highest civilian award the Bharat Ratna. He is a real life example of honesty, simplicity and social contributor in today’s world, where most of the people are filled with mediocrity, hypocrisy and corruption.
Early Life of Dr Abdul kalam
Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam was born on 15th October, 1931 at Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu. His father, Jainulabdeen was a boat owner and Imam of a local mosque and his mother, Ashiamma was a homemaker. Kalam was youngest of all in his siblings. In his early years of school, Kalam was an average student but determined and hardworking.
After completing his schooling from Schwartz Higher Secondary School (Ramanathapuram), he earned a graduation degree in physics from Saint Josephs’ College (Tiruchirappalli) in 1954. He moved to Madras (Chennai) in 1955 to study aerospace engineering.
“To succeed in life and achieve results, you must understand and master three mighty forces—desire, belief and expectation.”
Professional Career and Works
In 1960, Kalam joined Aeronautical Development Establishment of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) but he was unsatisfied with his choice of job at DRDO. After nine years, in 1969, he was transferred to Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) where he directed the creation of India’s First Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-111) that successfully deployed the ‘Rohini’ satellite in July 1980. This was the beginning of India’s aerospace programme.
During 1963-64, he visited NASA’s Langley Research Centre in Hampton. Between 1970s and 1990s, he worked relentlessly to develop Polar SLV and SLV-III, both of which garnered success. He was invited by Dr Raja Ramanna to preside over the nation’s first nuclear test, Smiling Buddha. In the 1970s, he supervised two projects, Project Devil and Project Valiant, for the development of ballistic missiles. Despite disapproval of Cabinet, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi allocated him funds for these projects. Due to his success, the government decided to initiate advanced missile programme under his leadership.
With great success in his various endeavours, like directing projects to develop ballistic missiles, creation of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) or advance missile programmes’, Kalam was best known nuclear scientist. He is rightly termed as ‘The Missile Man of India’.
His Awards and Honours
Kalam’s contribution in development of scientific research and modernisation of defence technology in India brought him prestige, laureate honours and awards. He was bestowed with honours like Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, Bharat Ratna, Veer Savarkar Award and many more. He has bagged honorary doctorates from 40 universities across the world. In 1997, he received the Bharat Ratna. In December 2000, the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commisson, KC pant conferred the ‘Lifetime Contribution Award’ to Dr Kalam. To mark Kalam’s visit, Switzerland declared 26th May as Science Day, in 2005.
Despite being awarded with honorary doctorates from over 40 universities, national and international awards, Kalam led a very simple life. He was noted for integrity and influential attitude towards life. All Indians are proud of his great achievements and humble persona. Due to his open, approachable nature, he was referred to as ‘People’s President’. He showed that money can’t be a barrier to dreams, as he himself was from a poor family. He will continue to be a source of inspiration to one and all.
President of India
In 2002, Kalam was elected as the 11th President of India with support of both the ruling parties, Bhartiya Janta Party and Indian National Congress. Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, widely referred to as ‘The Peoples President’, is known for his zest for life and pursuits that might make other scientists astonished. He believed, “If you want to shine like a Sun. First burn like a Sun”. Because “Without your involvement, you can’t succeed. Without your involvement you can’t fail.” He was a voracious reader, a lover of classical music, poet of Tamil literature, a great scientist, a religiously atheist personality and he can be termed as an ideal personality of our times.
A leading columnist wrote about Dr Kalam saying that ‘‘India needs a Kalam in every Institution’’. In his literary pursuit, Dr Kalam has authored and co-authored many books, such as ‘Wings of Fire’, ‘2020-A Vision for the New Millennium’, ‘My Journey’, ‘Ignited Minds, ‘The Luminous Sparks’, ‘The Life Tree’, ‘Children Ask Kalam’, ‘Indomitable Spirit’, ‘Inspiring Thoughts’, ‘Envisioning an Empowered Nation’ and ‘Mission India’. Many of these are read in every households in India and among the Indian nationals abroad. These books have been translated in many Indian languages
Dr Kalam (aged 83) passed away on 27th July, 2015 while delivering a lecture at Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Shillong, due to an apparent cardiac arrest. He was cremated with full states honours in his hometown, Rameswaram where a memorial is being constructed in his honour.
Dr APJ Abdul Kalam as our Ideals
Dr Kalam is known for his motivational speeches, inspirational quotes and interaction with the student community in India. Some of the inspiring quotes by him are “We will be remembered only if we give to our younger generation a prosperous and safe India, resulting out of economic prosperity coupled with civilisational heritage.” And “Climbing to the top demands strength, whether it is to the top of Mount Everest or to the top of your career.” India indeed is indebted to Dr APJ Abdul Kalam in uncountable ways and proud of such a brilliant personality. His birth anniversary is observed as World’s Students’ Day.