Remembering Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the People’s President and the Eternal Teacher
Siddharth Roy , Rehabari
Every year, on October 15th, schools and colleges across India celebrate Students’ Day. Classrooms fill with speeches, essays, and events, but behind all the celebration lies a deeper message — the birthday of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, a man who embodied the spirit of learning, humility, and innovation. Dr. Kalam’s life remains an extraordinary testament to what unwavering faith in education and hard work can achieve. Known as the “Missile Man of India,” he was not only one of the nation’s most brilliant scientists but also one of its most beloved teachers. His birthday being celebrated as World Students’ Day is perhaps the most fitting tribute to a man who saw education as the greatest weapon to change the world.
Born in the temple town of Rameswaram in 1931, Kalam’s journey from selling newspapers to becoming the 11th President of India is the story of modern India itself — one of determination, dreams, and destiny. He studied aeronautical engineering at the Madras Institute of Technology and went on to play a pivotal role in India’s missile and space programmes, including the development of the Agni and Prithvi missiles. Yet, despite all his scientific and political accomplishments, Kalam’s heart always belonged to the classroom. He often said, “If you want to shine like a sun, first burn like a sun.” For him, that burning was not just about ambition — it was about curiosity, discipline, and the endless pursuit of knowledge.
Dr. Kalam believed deeply that the real strength of a nation lies not in its military power or economic wealth, but in the quality of its youth. “The ignited mind of the youth,” he once said, “is the most powerful resource on the earth.” Throughout his presidency, he made it a point to meet students from across the country, whether in elite institutions or rural schools. He would sit among them, ask about their dreams, and listen with genuine interest. For him, education was not merely a means to employment, but a pathway to enlightenment — a force that could eradicate poverty, inequality, and ignorance.
What made Kalam unique was his accessibility and humility. He never let his scientific brilliance or presidential stature create distance between himself and ordinary people. He saw every child as a potential leader and every teacher as a nation-builder. His conversations were filled with simple yet profound truths — urging students to think big, to take risks, and to believe in themselves. He often said, “Dream, dream, dream. Dreams transform into thoughts, and thoughts result in action.” This philosophy, deeply rooted in his own life, continues to inspire millions of young minds across the world.
But perhaps the most remarkable quality of Dr. Kalam was that he lived what he taught. He was a man of extraordinary simplicity. Even as President, he preferred minimal personal comforts, and after leaving Rashtrapati Bhavan, he returned to teaching — his true calling. He spent his later years traveling across the country, addressing schools and universities, speaking about science, values, and vision. It was fitting, almost poetic, that he passed away while doing what he loved most — delivering a lecture to students at the Indian Institute of Management, Shillong. His last moments, like his life, were dedicated to education and youth.
Two days ago, i.e. on 15th October, we celebrated Students’ Day, and so, it is worth asking ourselves: what does it mean to truly honour Dr. Kalam’s legacy? Is it enough to remember his quotes and organize cultural programmes in his name? Or should we go a step further — to embody his spirit of curiosity, compassion, and creativity in our education system? For all his optimism, Kalam was also a realist. He often lamented the gaps in our education structure — the lack of innovation, the rote learning culture, and the absence of critical thinking. He wanted Indian education to move beyond textbooks, to become a space where ideas could breathe freely and where science and spirituality could coexist.
In his vision document, India 2020: A Vision for the New Millennium, Kalam outlined a roadmap for transforming India into a developed nation. Education was at the heart of this dream. He emphasized technological empowerment, rural development, and value-based learning. He believed that teachers were the torchbearers of this transformation, urging them to not just impart knowledge but to ignite imagination. “Teaching is a very noble profession,” he once said, “that shapes the character, caliber, and future of an individual.” Today, when education is increasingly driven by competition and commercialization, his words are a timely reminder of the moral and human purpose of learning.
The true celebration of Students’ Day lies not in ceremonies but in rekindling the joy of discovery that Kalam so passionately championed. It is about creating classrooms that encourage questioning rather than conformity. It is about ensuring that every child, whether in a city school or a remote village, has access to quality education, technology, and opportunity. Most of all, it is about nurturing a generation that dreams fearlessly and works relentlessly, just as Kalam did.
In an age dominated by information overload and instant gratification, Kalam’s life teaches us the value of perseverance. He faced countless setbacks from failed rocket launches to administrative hurdles, but he never allowed failure to define him. Instead, he treated each setback as a stepping stone to greater learning. “Don’t fear for facing failure in the first attempt,” he once told students. “Because even the successful Maths starts with zero.” Such optimism, rooted in humility and faith, is what made him not just a scientist or a president, but a moral compass for India’s youth.
As we pay tribute to Dr. Kalam, we must remember that he did not want blind admiration; he wanted action. His dream was of a nation where science serves humanity, where technology bridges inequality, and where every student becomes a source of light. The best way to honour his memory is to live by his values, to dream big, to work hard, to stay humble, and to never stop learning.
In every young mind that dares to question, in every teacher who ignites curiosity, and in every citizen who believes in a better tomorrow, Dr. Kalam’s spirit lives on. Students’ Day is not merely his birthday; it is a reminder that education, when infused with purpose and passion, has the power to transform individuals and, through them, the destiny of a nation.
As the “People’s President” once said, “Let us sacrifice our today so that our children can have a better tomorrow.” May we continue to build that tomorrow, one student, one dream, and one inspired mind at a time.