My Favourite Personality: Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam - The People's President
Among the galaxy of great personalities that India has produced, one name shines particularly bright for students - Dr. Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam. Fondly remembered as the "Missile Man of India" and "People's President", Dr. Kalam's journey from a newspaper boy in Rameswaram to the Rashtrapati Bhavan is the stuff of legends. What makes him my favourite personality isn't just his achievements, but how relatable his struggles and values remain for every Indian student today.
Humble Beginnings: The Early Life That Shaped a Legend
Dr. Kalam's childhood in the 1930s Rameswaram teaches us that greatness has humble origins:
1. Newspaper Delivery to Support Family
Young Kalam woke up at 4 AM to collect newspapers from the train and distribute them before school - showing early responsibility and work ethic.
2. Learning Under Streetlights
With no electricity at home, he studied under street lamps - proving resourcefulness triumphs over limitations.
3. Interfaith Harmony Lessons
His close friendship with the Hindu priest's son demonstrated India's pluralistic values that he championed lifelong.
The Making of the Missile Man: Key Milestones
Why Dr. Kalam Resonates With Indian Students
Unlike many leaders who seem distant, Dr. Kalam had qualities that make him uniquely relatable:
- Teacher at Heart: Even as President, he preferred being called "Kalam Sir" and conducted 500+ student interactions annually
- Simple Lifestyle: Continued wearing modest clothes, playing veena, and maintaining minimal possessions
- Youthful Energy: At 70+, he had the curiosity and enthusiasm of a college student
- Failure Philosophy: Openly shared his professional setbacks to normalize struggle
Timeless Lessons From Kalam Sir's Life
1. Education as Liberation
His transformation from "Abdul the paperboy" to "Dr. Kalam" proves education is the greatest equalizer. He later established PURA (Providing Urban Amenities in Rural Areas) to democratize learning.
2. Science With Humanism
While developing missiles, he simultaneously worked on cost-effective healthcare technologies like the Kalam-Raju stent, showing science must serve humanity.
3. Patriotism Through Contribution
He refused lucrative foreign job offers, believing nation-building begins at home. His salary as President was 70% lower than his predecessor's.
Kalam's Vision for Indian Youth
His famous books like Ignited Minds and Wings of Fire outline actionable advice:
- 2020 Vision: Envisioned India as a knowledge superpower through youth potential
- Creativity Cultivation: Encouraged "out-of-the-box" thinking through projects like the Kalam-NSS Initiative
- Ethical Leadership: Stressed values as important as skills through his "10 Oaths for Students"
Heartwarming Fact
Dr. Kalam personally replied to every student email until his last day. His final tweet (July 27, 2015) was about looking forward to meeting Rajasthan students - he passed away while teaching at IIM Shillong.
Applying Kalam's Principles in Student Life
How we can practice his teachings daily:
- Morning Routine: Like Kalam who woke at 4 AM, use early hours for focused study
- Goal Setting: Maintain a "Dream Journal" as he recommended, visualizing future achievements
- Community Service: Dedicate 2 hours weekly to social causes, following his belief in "giving back"
- Interdisciplinary Learning: Blend science with arts as he did (missile technology + Tamil poetry)
Kalam's Legacy in Modern India
His influence continues to grow:
- Kalam Satellite: ISRO's 2017 launch honored his space contributions
- Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Memorial: Rameswaram museum displays his personal artifacts simply as he lived
- Kalam Centre: Sustains his educational missions through youth programs
- In Pop Culture: From biopics to children's books, his story keeps inspiring new generations
Conclusion: Carrying Forward the Kalam Spirit
In an era obsessed with instant success and materialism, Dr. Kalam's life reminds us that true greatness comes from knowledge, humility and service. As students navigating academic pressures, his journey teaches us to:
- View challenges as opportunities
- Balance ambition with ethics
- Stay connected to our roots while aiming for the stars
The best tribute we can pay this extraordinary personality is to embody his values - whether it's helping a struggling classmate, pursuing original thinking, or working hard without excuses. After all, as Kalam Sir proved, a boy who sold newspapers could one day launch India into the space age - because dreams fueled by discipline know no limits.
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