World Students’ Day: Dr. Kalam’s Legacy

Aakhir Tak – In Shorts

Today, October 15, ‘World Students’ Day’ is celebrated worldwide. This day honors Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam’s birthday. The purpose of this day is to promote the values championed by him.

Aakhir Tak – In Depth

Every year, October 15 is celebrated as ‘World Students’ Day.’ This day is especially recognized as the birthday of India’s 11th President, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. The United Nations designated this day to honor Dr. Kalam’s birthday. His quote states, “To succeed in life and achieve results, you must understand and master three mighty forces — desire, belief, and expectation.”

Dr. Kalam dedicated much of his life to inspiring and guiding young students. He was known as the ‘People’s President.’ His passion for teaching and learning left a profound impact on India and beyond. He believed in the potential of the younger generation and advocated for science and education as pathways to national development.

Dr. Kalam was born on October 15, 1931, in a Tamil Muslim family in Rameswaram on Pamban Island. At that time, Pamban Island was part of the Madras Presidency and is now in Tamil Nadu. Although he had average grades during his school years, he was always a bright and hardworking student. He dedicated hours to his studies, especially in mathematics.

Dr. Kalam received numerous awards, including the Padma Bhushan in 1981, the Padma Vibhushan in 1990, and the Bharat Ratna for his contributions to research, the field of science, and his work with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). He passed away in 2015 after suffering a cardiac arrest while delivering a speech at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Shillong.

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