APJ Abdul Kalam Birth Anniversary Image: PM Modi pays tribute the 'people's President'
APJ Abdul Kalam Birth Anniversary: Fondly called the 'Missile Man', former President of India Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, is being remembered on his birth anniversary today. From being the people's President to spearheading the development of the India's missiles, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam has immensely contributed to the development of the country in every sphere. Dr APJ Abdul Kalam's birth anniversary is also celebrated as the Student's Day in India as the former President loved spending time with students. "Dream, dream, dream. Dreams transform into thoughts and thoughts result in action," Dr Kalam had encouraged students.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted a beautiful video on Twitter with pictures and famous quotes of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. "Tributes to Dr. Kalam on his Jayanti. India can never forget his indelible contribution towards national development, be it as a scientist and as the President of India. His life journey gives strength to millions," PM Modi wrote.
Paying rich tribute to APJ Abdul Kalam, Prime Minister Modi said, "Dr Kalam is a perfect example of what a person can do in his life. He is an example of how a person can adjust his life according to the requirement. He was a simple man but he was a man of exceptional qualities. Dr Kalam used to say 'the purpose of education is to make good human beings with skill and expertise. Enlightened human beings can be created by teachers.' We have seen him from close quarters. He used to love children...," the Prime Minister said.
"Once, someone asked him, how do you want to be remembered, Dr Kalam replied that he wants to be remembered as a teacher if people want...On the second day of finishing his term as President of Indian, he went to Chennai and started teaching students. He left this world while sharing his thoughts with students. He always searched for new talents," PM Modi added.
APJ Abdul Kalam Birth Anniversary Image: PM Modi pays homage to the former President (file photo)
"Tributes to the great scientist, former President and Bharat Ratna Dr #APJAbdulKalam on his birth anniversary. His ideas will keep inspiring the youth for generations to come. Railways is building a new Pamban Railway Bridge, which had been an inseparable part of his childhood," Railways Minister Piyush Goyal said in his tribute to the former President.
Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad described APJ Abdul Kalam as a "great teacher and eminent scientist" in his homage to the former President.
"On his birth anniversary, we pay our heartfelt tribute to former President of India and Bharat Ratna Shri APJ Abdul Kalam. His remarkable vision, steadfast determination and unyielding passion, all for the progress of India, places him in the club of our Nation's greatest leaders," the Congress party posted on the microblogging site.
Aviation Minister Hardeep Puri recalled the time when he "...Had the privilege of working with Missile Man of India in MoD when he was Scientific Advisor to Raksha Mantri and I was a Joint Secretary."
Dr APJ Abdul Kalam led India's two major research organisations - Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) as an aerospace scientist.
Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam was born on October 15, 1931, at Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu. His life as a student was very challenging, filled with hardships and struggles. There was a time when he had to sell newspapers from door to door to support his family and education.