Birth and Early Life in Rameswaram
Colonel A.P.J. Abdul Kalam spent his childhood in Rameswaram, a small island town in Tamil Nadu, India. Rameswaram was not just beautiful but also spiritually important, often called the “Varanasi of the South.” The town had lovely beaches and surroundings that helped Kalam appreciate nature.
Kalam’s family lived in a simple house, and the neighborhood felt like a big family with people from various backgrounds living peacefully. Growing up in such diversity taught him to respect individuals of different faiths and origins.
Family Background
His parents, Jain ulabudeen and Ashiamma, played a crucial role in shaping his personality. His father was a devoted imam at the local mosque and owned a boat that transported people to the famous Ramanathaswamy Temple. His mother, a caring housewife, instilled qualities like honesty, humility, and empathy in him.
The Kalams were known for their simplicity and discipline, passing on these principles to young Kalam. Their constant support for his education and goals fueled his determination to succeed.
Educational Background
Kalam’s schooling began at Ramanathapuram’s Schwartz Higher Secondary School. He was a hardworking student, always ready to learn. Even as a child, he showed a keen interest in science and technology, encouraged by his teachers and the school’s small library.
Later, he studied aeronautical engineering at the Madras Institute of Technology (MIT), driven by his love for flight and the beauty of the sky. His academic journey continued at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur, where he earned a master’s degree in aerospace engineering.
Career as a Scientist
Kalam started his career at India’s Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) in 1960. His early work included creating a small hovercraft, and he later toured NASA’s facilities, which greatly influenced him. In 1969, he became the project director for India’s first satellite launch vehicle (SLV-III), making significant contributions to India’s missile and space programs.
Throughout the 1970s and 1990s, Kalam played a crucial role in projects like the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and SLV-III. He also supervised projects related to India’s nuclear tests in the 1990s.
Dr. Kalam: The President of India
From 2002 to 2007, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam served as India’s 11th President. Known as the “People’s President,” he won the 2002 presidential election with overwhelming support. During his presidency, he focused on education and humanity.
Life After Presidentship
After his presidency, Kalam engaged in education, teaching at various institutions. He also launched movements promoting positive change and fought against corruption. In 2015, he passed away while giving a lecture, leaving a legacy of inspiration and dedication.
Conclusion
Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s journey from a small town to the highest office in India reflects his resilience, dedication to education, and contributions to science and technology. His legacy lives on, inspiring generations to come.
IMPORTANT WORDS:
- Colonel: A military rank above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general.
- Spiritually: Relating to or affecting the human spirit or soul, often in a religious or transcendental sense.
- Neighborhood: A district or community within a town or city.
- Diversity: The state of having different forms, elements, or qualities; variety.
- Faiths: Belief systems or religions.
- Crucial: Extremely important or necessary.
- Devoted: Showing loyalty and support, committed.
- Instilled: Introduced or imparted gradually, often with firmness and repetition.
- Humility: The quality of being humble, modest, or unpretentious.
- Empathy: The ability to understand and share the feelings of another.
- Discipline: A system of rules or conduct, often enforced through training and punishment.
- Determination: Firmness of purpose; the act of deciding definitely and firmly.
- Keen: Sharp, intellectually alert, or perceptive.
- Hovercraft: A vehicle capable of moving over water or land on a cushion of air created by downward-thrusting fans.
- Influenced: Having been affected or shaped by someone or something.
- Significant: Important, notable, or having meaning.
- Contributions: The act of giving or supplying along with others.
- Supervised: Overseeing or managing the performance or operation of a task or activity.
- Overwhelming: Overpowering in effect or strength, very intense or great.
- Humanity: The human race; the quality of being human.
- Corruption: Dishonest or fraudulent conduct, typically involving bribery or the abuse of power.
- Legacy: Something handed down or received from an ancestor or predecessor.
- Resilience: The ability to recover quickly from difficulties or adversity.
- Dedication: The quality of being committed to a task or purpose.
- Contributions (again): The act of giving or adding something to a larger whole.
