Here is the story of a newspaper seller who rose to become a Missile Man and then 11th President of India in 2002 popularly known as ‘People’s President’. Nevertheless, the journey from the newspaper selling to the President of India was not an easy thing for APJ Abdul Kalam. The story began from the bridge over the Indian Ocean to the island of Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu, where he was born on October 15, 1931. Coming from a very humble and hand-to-mouth family, the Indian scientist started to sell newspapers.
Not just he sold it, but also read the newspapers even before starting to drop it to his first customer’s house. The reading habit had filled his life full of dreams. Dreams to be a someone remarkable. Dream to do something great for the nation.
He started dreaming of flying planes. He would make paper planes out of newspapers that were not sold and leftover after the business time is over.
In 1947 when India got freedom, APJ Abdul Kalam’s hopes to fulfil his dream got wings. A free India gave hope to his dreams.
However, making it not so easy for him, the luck didn’t support him in the beginning and he failed the tests for aeronautical engineering for fighter planes. But later became an autopilot to design satellites and fly missiles.
His journey from rocket scientist to missile man to the President of India is remarkable. Not just his journey, his contribution as a scientist and as a President of India is unforgettable. He is given credits for the development of ‘Ballistic Missiles’ and launch of vehicle technology. After taking charges as President, he played a major role in the launch of India’s Pokhran-II nuclear tests in 1998.
APJ Abdul Kalam’s famous Quotes
“A dream is not what you see in your sleep; a dream is something that does not let you sleep”
“A dream keeps you awake. Ignite your dreams”
“Failure will never overtake me if my definition to succeed is strong enough”
“Look at the sky. We are not alone. The whole universe is friendly to us and conspires only to give the best to those who dream and work.”
“Man needs his difficulties because they are necessary to enjoy success”
“We should not give up and we should not allow the problem to defeat us”
“Let us sacrifice our today so that our children can have a better tomorrow”
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