At times when heart is burdened with emotions, words fail us.
Truly how can words describe an extraordinary human being nonpareil...? Dr.
A.P.J. Abdul Kalam aged 83 collapsed while delivering a lecture on Liveable
Earth at IIM Shillong and passed away. With enthusiasm and optimism engrained
in every cell, he breathed last whilst his noble mission of reaching out to the
younger generation of our country.
Avul Pakir Jainulabudeen Abdul Kalam was born on October 15th
1931 in the temple city of Rameshwaram to a boat owner Jainulabudeen and
Ashiamma, a housewife in a religious Muslim family. Being part of a large
family with meagre resources, Kalam started contributing to the household
income at an early age by selling newspapers. His father’s stoicism, spiritual
way of life and mother’s bountiful love, caring spirit and generosity had a
deep impact on young Kalam. Kalam’s childhood soaked with encounters of unique
communal harmony shaped his convictions and beliefs. The syncretic fabric of
the society motivated him to read,
assimilate and understand the knowledge contained in different religious texts
and later on for years to come he remained an ardent believer of science.
While his grades were average during the school days he was bright
and very eager to learn. After his schooling in Ramanathapuram, Kalam harboured
a penchant to become a pilot but narrowly missed out in the final Air Force
selections. Undaunted by failure, he soon reoriented his path and accepted the job
of scientist at Aeronautical Development Establishment of the Defence Research
and Development Organisation (DRDO). Later he was part of the INCOSPAR
committee working under Dr. Vikram Sarabhai. In 1969 he was then transferred to
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and was director of India’s first
Satellite Launching Vehicle (SLV-III) that successfully deployed satellite
Rohini in the near earth orbit. India’s tryst with rockets and satellites has
been a mixed bag of success and failures. During the initial stages of space
programme Indian scientists have suffered several trepidations, further intense
media scrutiny and high level of expectations put them under immense pressure.
After several trials and tribulations India successfully developed the SLVs and
Polar Satellite Launching Vehicles (PSLV)s. From 1992 to 1999 Kalam served as
chief scientific adviser to the Prime Minister and the secretary of DRDO. After
resigning from the post of scientific adviser in 1999 he set a target of
meeting 10,000 students. These interactions enlivened the teacher in him
propelling him into motivating the younger generation.
Kalam played a great role in developing missile technology
including Agni, an intermediate range
ballistic missile and Prithvi the
tactical surface to surface missile. He was the chief Project coordinator of
the illustrious Pokhran-II nuclear blast of 1998 that catapulted India into the
group of nuclear countries. India heaved a sigh of triumphalism as the
“Operation Shakti” marked by five explosions ended on a high note. While the
mood of the leaders was euphoric, India was later ordained for series of
sanctions from western countries. In a diametrically significant
accomplishment, the Missile Man of India fondly admired for launching satellites
and firing missiles developed a low cost coronary stent, Kalam-Raju stent with cardiologist Soma Raju. The duo later
designed a tablet computer for health care in rural areas called Kalam-Raju Tablet. The outstanding
contributions of this ingenious prodigy hold testimony to his brilliance and
scientific acumen.
Kalam’s second innings as a reluctant politician began when
he won the presidential elections in a highly one-sided contest against the
revolutionary leader Lakshmi Sahgal in 2002. He became 11th President
of India, served one complete term and remained largely untouched by guileful
politics. He became the first scientist, first bachelor and third Bharat Ratna
recipient to be the head of the state (other two were Dr. Sarvepalli
RadhaKrishna and Dr. Zakir Hussain). Kalam hailing from a humble background rose
to the highest echelon of the country becoming an inspirational Indian to the younger
generation. As a President his warmth, humility and simple ways endeared to one
and all. His special love for children and the yearning desire to inspire the
youth through motivational speeches and interactions has won hearts of
millions. Aptly so he was dearly admired as “People’s President” who alos formulated India Vision Strategies for 2020. Post Presidential years, Kalam completely engaged in
academic activities by serving as a visiting professor at several elite
institutions. In 2012 he launched a programme ‘What Can I Give Movement’ to
stem corruption.
Kalam’s 79th birthday was recognised as World Student’s Day by United Nations in
1999. He received honorary doctorates from 40 universities. Government of India
honoured with Padma Bhushan in 1980, Padma Vibhusan in 1990 and was conferred
with highest civilian award Bharat Ratna
in 1997. In 2005 Switzerland declared May 26th as Science Day to commemorate Kalam’s visit
to their country.
Kalam’s invaluable contributions to society
are his inspirational writings infusing optimism and blueprints ensconced with
vision for a vibrant India. His autobiography: Wings of fire with vignettes
of his life continue to ignite our spirits, add wings to our aspiration and
fire our imaginations. All his virtues and traits are truly infectious. His
contemplations, opinions and veracity about life are awe-inspiring. Another
important facet of Kalam’s personality has been his profound philosophical
outlook towards life. Science is exploratory and the validity of truth is often
ascertained by facts. Hence scientists in general are very practical and averse
to spiritual way of thought. But here we find a genius in Kalam, fondly called
as India’s ‘Missile Man’ to be an epitome of spirituality. Whenever he tumbled
in life with a failure or a loss of dear ones, he would find solace in the
sacred books like Bhagavad Gita, Quran and Bible. His spiritual musings can be
traced to his firm faith in God inculcated by his parents at a young age.
APJ Abdul Kalam is undeniably the only President of India who
touched lives of people at several levels and has been a true inspiration to
millions of Indians. It is
indeed very rare to find a true genius to be highly unassuming. While as a
scientist of exceptional ingenuity and knowledge he is the Pioneer of rocket
science in India. On the other hand, his profound understanding about life is
highly motivating. He is perhaps the most humble human being for he believes
that values of humanity can alone offer true succour. Here is an excerpt of a deep and insightful saying that speaks volumes
about his profound understanding about essence of life. “Joy is fleeting,
whereas true happiness and calm can come to us only after intense pain, when we
have confronted ourselves in the mirror of our souls and understood the self.”
Kalam, a simple man from a small place in the South India
swayed the entire country with his humble demeanour, enchanting smile,
infectious enthusiasm and undiminished optimism. A true tribute to this noblest
son of the land lies in fulfilling the pragmatic vision of technological
development envisioned by him.
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