Dr. Abdul Kalam was born in Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu, in 1931. He studied, became an aeronautical engineer and helped make India’s first vehicle to send satellites into space. He launched the satellite Rohini , developed AGNI and PRITHVI missiles (rocket weapons) as part of India's defence programme. He made weapons using atomic energy, and pushed for light aircraft to fight enemies. He prepared the 'Vision 2020' document to make India a developed country. He advised the government on development, taught science at Anna University, and wrote many books. Kalam became the President of India in 2002, and was awarded the Bharat Ratna as well.
Hard work
In his book My Journey , Dr. Kalam tells us how he did all this. When his father built boats, young Abdul would watch how long pieces of wood were shaped into a boat. “I [later] learned how to make rockets and missiles,” he wrote. Boat-building also brought Ahmed Jalalluddin, a cousin, into his life. “He spoke to me about scientists and inventions, literature and medicine...my mind began to form ideas and ambitions.”
His father was a boatman, who took passengers from Rameswaram to the holy island of Danushkodi. Once, a terrible cyclone hit the coast and the sea took their boat away. But his father stayed calm, and went about building another boat. In 1964, another cyclone struck and broke a part of Danushkodi. His father lost his boat again, but built another one. Later, while working on building SLV rockets, and when it rained during the rocket launch, Kalam recalled what his father had said: “The only way to survive is to face your troubles and rebuild your life.”
When he was eight, Kalam decided to work. He had math tuition from 4-5 a.m., and Arabic class from 5-6 a.m. Then he would run to the railway station to collect the bundles of newspaper that came in the train and distribute them in the town. He would head home to get ready for school. In the evening, he collected the money for the paper distribution and did his homework. His work taught him to calculate distances, amounts and the importance of being on time.
Once his professor at MIT rejected his project design and gave him just three days to come up with a new one. Kalam worked hard and finished it before time. His professor called it outstanding.
“That day I learnt two lessons — a teacher who has the students’ progress in mind is the best possible friend... And there is no such thing as an impossible deadline.”
Kalam wanted to be an Air Force pilot, but decided to become a scientist when he wasn't selected. He put his heart and soul into it.
Did you know : On Chidren's Day, 2007, Dr. Kalam launched Billion Beats , an e-paper for children. Read it at >www.abdulkalam.com .
