In the small town of Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, in 1931, a boy named Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam was born into a humble family. His father was a boat owner, and young Kalam sold newspapers to support his family. Despite poverty, he was determined to study and dream big.
Fascinated by science, Kalam studied aeronautical engineering and joined India’s space and defense programs. He became the brain behind India’s missile development, earning the title “Missile Man of India.” Under his leadership, India conducted successful nuclear tests in 1998, making the world take notice.
But it wasn’t just missiles that he launched — he launched dreams in the hearts of millions of Indians. In 2002, he was elected as the 11th President of India, not because he was a politician, but because he was loved and respected by all – regardless of party or religion.
As President, he broke protocols, interacted with students, and remained humble. He carried no political agenda. His message was simple: “Dream, dream, dream. Dreams transform into thoughts and thoughts result in action.”
Even after his presidency, he continued teaching, traveling, and inspiring youth until his last breath in 2015 — while delivering a lecture at IIM Shillong.
He believed in empowering youth through education and technology. Kalam never married or sought wealth, dedicating his entire life to the nation. He lived simply, wrote many books, and encouraged innovation and integrity. His speeches still echo in schools and colleges across the country. A devout patriot and visionary, Dr. Kalam showed that leadership is not about power, but about purpose and passion.
