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YASH KUMAR VAISHNAV
Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was the President of India from 2002 to 2007. Before that, he was an aerospace engineer and served as the chief scientific advisor to the Indian government. He was also closely involved with India’s civilian space program and military missile development. Dr. Kalam was born in Rameswaram,
Tamil Nadu, India, and studied physics and aerospace engineering. He began his career at the Indian Space
Research Organization (ISRO) and played a key role in the development of India’s first satellite launch
vehicle, the Rohini. He later served as the project director of the satellite launch vehicle program at ISRO
and as the director of the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), where he was
responsible for the development of ballistic missile technology. Dr. Kalam was known for his work on the
development of strategic and civilian technologies. He was also known for his commitment to education
and his efforts to inspire students and young people to pursue careers in science and technology. He wrote
several books including India 2020: A Vision for the New Millennium, Ignited Minds: Unleashing the Power
within India, Wings of Fire: An Autobiography, and Target 3 Billion. After his Presidency, he was referred
to as the “People’s President” and “Missile Man of India” for his work on the development of ballistic
missile technology.
Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was a strong advocate for education and often spoke about the importance of
education in his speeches and writings. One of his most famous speeches on education was given at the
Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, in 2012, where he discussed the role of education in shaping the
future of India. In this speech, Dr. Kalam stressed the importance of education in creating a knowledgebased society and economy. He spoke about the need for education to be aligned with the needs of the
country, and for students to be taught the skills and knowledge that would enable them to become
“innovative and entrepreneurial.” He also emphasized the importance of education in fostering creativity
and critical thinking, and called for an overhaul of the Indian education system to make it more studentcentered and focused on hands-on learning and experimentation. He stressed that India should aim to
develop a “critical mass of scientists and engineers,” as well as a culture of innovation and
entrepreneurship. Dr. Kalam also spoke about the need to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor
in terms of access to education and called for a renewed focus on primary education and vocational
training. He also emphasized the importance of teachers, describing them as the “real builders of the
nation,” and called for their training and development to be prioritized. Finally, he encouraged students
to take responsibility for their own learning and to set ambitious goals for themselves and encouraged
the academic community to create an environment of innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship. He
believed that education is key to developing a visionary and dynamic society, where every citizen has
access to quality education and opportunities to develop their full potential.
Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam gave many speeches during his career as a scientist, engineer, and statesman, many
of which were well-received and remembered for their impact and inspiration. One of his most famous
and well-regarded speeches is his address to the Indian parliament on the eve of his swearing-in as the
President of India in 2002. In this speech, Dr. Kalam outlined his vision for India, emphasizing the need for
the country to become a developed nation with a strong economy, a peaceful society, and a globally
respected culture. He stressed the importance of developing a “knowledge society” and encouraged the
country’s youth to take an active role in shaping India’s future. He also spoke about the importance of
values and ethics, calling for the country to become a “value-based society” where people were guided
by moral principles and a sense of national duty. Dr. Kalam addressed the importance of scientific
development and technology in modernizing the country, urging for the building of world-class
technological and scientific institutions in India, and the fostering of a culture of innovation and
entrepreneurship. He also emphasized the need to bridge the divide between the rich and the poor and
called for the creation of opportunities for education and employment for all citizens. In his speech, Dr.
Kalam also proposed a “20-point agenda” for India’s development, which included a focus on education,
health care, infrastructure, and the environment. This speech was well received by the people of India
and is remembered as one of the most inspiring speeches of his career as a public figure, it gained him
the title of “People’s President”.
Dr. Kalam passed away on July 27, 2015, while giving a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management,
Shillong. He was honored with many civilian awards including Bharat Ratna, Padma Bhushan, and Padma
Vibhushan, and many honorary doctorates.
