APJ Abdul Kalam's 10th death anniversary: Remembering the man who taught India to dream through his life, ideas and words

Economic Times

18 hours ago

TOI.in
File Photo: Dr APJ Abdul Kalam
On 27 July 2015, India lost one of its most beloved public figures. Dr APJ Abdul Kalam collapsed mid-lecture at IIM Shillong and died shortly after from cardiac arrest. He was 83.The news hit hard. Not just in government offices or scientific circles, but in schools, homes and colleges across the country.Today marks nine years since that moment. A day people still recall with clarity and sorrow.As India pauses to remember him, his legacy remains more relevant than ever.Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam was born on 15 October 1931, in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu. The youngest of five, his family led a modest life.
To support them, Kalam sold newspapers as a boy. He studied by lamp-light, often late into the night. He wasn't just a curious student, but a determined one.He earned a physics degree from St Joseph's College in 1954, then studied aeronautical engineering at the Madras Institute of Technology.Those early years weren't easy. But they shaped the man who would one day launch missiles and shape young minds.Kalam joined the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in 1958. In 1969, he moved to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). That's where he led the team behind SLV-III, India's first satellite launch vehicle, which successfully placed the Rohini satellite into orbit.He returned to DRDO in the 1980s and headed the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme. It was here that he helped develop the Agni and Prithvi missiles.
This earned him the title that would stick for life, the 'Missile Man of India'.
He also played a key role in planning and executing the Pokhran-II nuclear tests in 1998 under Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. This put India firmly on the world's nuclear map. In 2002, Dr Kalam defeated Lakshmi Sahgal to become India's 11th President.He was the first Muslim to complete a full term in the post. And more significantly, he redefined the presidency.He made it about people.He travelled constantly, spoke to students, wrote books, and pushed conversations about science, education and development. He had a message, especially for the young:"Dream, dream, dream. Dreams transform into thoughts and thoughts result in action."Many still call him the 'People's President'. Not as a label, but as a lived truth.Even after leaving Rashtrapati Bhavan, Kalam never slowed down. He kept writing, teaching, and speaking. His books like Wings of Fire, Ignited Minds, and India 2020 remain popular.
He didn't just talk about change, he tried to make it happen. He worked with Dr Soma Raju to create a low-cost stent for heart patients, named the Kalam-Raju stent. He also championed rural healthcare, sustainable development, and youth leadership.Between 1992 and 1999, he was the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Prime Minister and served as DRDO Secretary.He received the Padma Bhushan in 1981, the Padma Vibhushan in 1990, and the Bharat Ratna in 1997.Forty-eight universities and institutions awarded him honorary doctorates.Recognition never changed him. He remained simple, accessible and focused on the next generation.On the evening of 27 July 2015, Dr Kalam was at IIM Shillong, speaking on "Creating a Livable Planet Earth".Midway through his lecture, he collapsed. A massive heart attack took him away.His body was flown to Rameswaram. Thousands, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, paid their last respects.But he never really left. Not in spirit. His ideas still echo in classrooms, laboratories and policy debates.Dr Kalam believed in action. In learning. In resilience. He often shared this with young people. Here are some of his most memorable quotes, in his own words: "Never stop fighting until you arrive at your destined place, the unique you. Have an aim in life, continuously acquire knowledge, work hard, and have perseverance to realise the great life."
"Determination is the power that sees us through all our frustrations and obstacles. It helps us with building our willpower, which is the very basis of success."
"If you want to shine like a sun, first burn like a sun."
"Man needs his difficulties because they are necessary to enjoy success."
"Let us sacrifice today so that our children can have a better tomorrow."
"Failure will never overtake me if my determination to succeed is strong enough."
"To succeed in your mission, you must have single-minded devotion to your goal."
"If you fail, never give up because FAIL means — First Attempt In Learning."
"Youth should not accept any compromise or lower their sights. A society that makes its youth crawl in conformity and enforces dogmas on their aspirations can never flourish."
"The best brains of the nation may be found on the last benches of the classroom."
"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."
"Those who cannot work with their hearts achieve a hollow, half-hearted success that breeds bitterness all around."
"Educationists should build the capacities of the spirit of inquiry, creativity, entrepreneurialism, and moral leadership among students and become their role models."
"We will be remembered only if we give to our younger generation a prosperous and safe India, resulting from economic prosperity coupled with civilisational heritage." Dr Kalam was a scientist. A teacher. A president. But above all, he was someone who believed in potential — especially in the potential of India's youth.Nine years since his passing, the country still draws strength from his life and his words. His vision was always bigger than the moment.And that is what continues to move people, to think, to act, and to believe in something better.