APJ Abdul Kalam Death Anniversary: During his lifetime, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, the Missile Man of India and the 11th President of India produced a number of significant contributions that had a lasting effect on many different sectors. He served as a source of inspiration for numerous people around. On July 27, 2015, Dr. Kalam passed away while delivering a lecture at IIM Shillong.
APJ Abdul Kalam Death Anniversary
APJ Abdul Kalam Death Anniversary: The 11th President of India was Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam, also known as APJ Abdul Kalam. His final breath was taken on July 27, 2015. ‘Missile Man’ has died seven times this year. On this day, we can celebrate him as one of history’s greatest teachers who significantly advanced Indian military and space science.
Who is APJ Abdul Kalam?
The 11th President of India (2002–2007) was the renowned Indian scientist Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam (1931–2015). The “Missile Man,” as he was affectionately called, was essential to the nation’s defence and space exploration initiatives. Kalam gained respect and esteem for his important contributions to India’s nuclear capability. Beyond his scientific accomplishments, he was an inspirational character who promoted education, creativity, and societal growth, especially among young people. One of the most adored presidents in India’s history, he was distinguished by his simplicity, vision, and dedication to the needs of the populace. Generations are still motivated by Kalam’s legacy to have big dreams and work hard to build a better future.
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Honorary Degrees & Awards Won By APJ Abdul Kalam
APJ Abdul Kalam’s wonderful personality is a valuable asset to pick up on and mould. His contribution received numerous honours and recognition on the national and international levels, including:
Honorary Degrees
| Degree | University | Year |
| Distinguished Fellow | Institute of Directors, India | 1994 |
| Honorary Fellow | National Academy of Medical Sciences | 1995 |
| Honorary Doctorate of Science | University of Wolverhampton, UK | 2007 |
| King Charles II Medal | UK | 2007 |
| Honorary Doctor of Engineering | Nanyang Technological University, Singapore | 2008 |
| International von Kármán Wings Award | California Institute of Technology, USA | 2009 |
| Hoover Medal | American Society of Mechanical Engineers, USA | 2009 |
| Doctor of Engineering | University of Waterloo, Canada | 2010 |
| IEEE Honorary Membership | Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, USA | 2011 |
| Honorary Doctors of Law | Simon Fraser University, Canada | 2012 |
| Honorary Doctors of Science | University of Edinburgh, Scotland | 2014 |
Awards of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam
| Year | Award | Organisation |
| 1981 | Padma Bhushan | Government of India |
| 1990 | Padma Vibhushan | Government of India |
| 1997 | Bharat Ratna | Government of India |
| 1997 | Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration | Government of India |
| 1998 | Veer Savarkar Award | Government of India |
| 2000 | SASTRA Ramanujan Prize | Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology & Research Academy, India |
| 2013 | Von Braun Award | National Space Society |
Top 10 APJ Abdul Kalam Quotes for Inspiration and Motivation
| No. | Quote | Explanation |
| 1 | “Dream, dream, dream. Dreams transform into thoughts, and thoughts result in action.” | Dr. Kalam emphasized the power of dreams, as they lead to thoughts, and thoughts drive us to take actions to turn those dreams into reality. He believed that dreams are the first step towards achieving our goals. |
| 2 | “You have to dream before your dreams can come true.” | This quote emphasizes the importance of having dreams and aspirations. Before anything can be achieved, one must first have a clear vision and dream of what they want to accomplish. Dreams lay the foundation for success. |
| 3 | “Don’t take rest after your first victory because if you fail in the second, more lips are waiting to say that your first victory was just luck.” | Dr. Kalam encourages continuous effort and perseverance. Success should not lead to complacency; instead, it should motivate us to strive for more. The fear of failure should not deter us from trying again. |
| 4 | “All of us do not have equal talent. But, all of us have an equal opportunity to develop our talents.” | This quote emphasizes the importance of recognizing that everyone is unique, and their talents may vary. However, what truly matters is that everyone has the same opportunity to nurture and enhance their abilities to achieve greatness. |
| 5 | “Failure will never overtake me if my determination to succeed is strong enough.” | Dr. Kalam instills the belief that failure is a natural part of the journey to success. With unwavering determination and resilience, one can overcome failures and setbacks and eventually achieve their goals. |
| 6 | “Excellence is a continuous process and not an accident.” | Dr. Kalam emphasizes that excellence is not a one-time occurrence but a continuous and deliberate effort. It requires consistent dedication, improvement, and refinement of skills to excel in any field. |
| 7 | “If you want to shine like a sun, first burn like a sun.” | This quote encourages hard work, sacrifice, and dedication to achieve greatness. Just as the sun shines brightly, one must be willing to go through the trials and challenges to stand out and make a positive impact. |
| 8 | “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.” | Dr. Kalam inspires us to look beyond our limitations and challenges. He reminds us that the universe supports those who dream big and work hard towards their goals, implying that success is attainable with the right mindset. |
| 9 | “Be more dedicated to making solid achievements than in running after swift but synthetic happiness.” | This quote urges us to focus on substantial accomplishments rather than seeking short-lived, superficial happiness. Dr. Kalam advocates for meaningful contributions that leave a lasting impact on society and one’s life. |
| 10 | “Man needs his difficulties because they are necessary to enjoy success.” | Dr. Kalam emphasizes that challenges and difficulties are an integral part of the path to success. Overcoming obstacles not only makes success sweeter but also helps in personal growth and character development. |
Significant Contributions of APJ Abdul Kalam
APJ Abdul Kalam has gained respect and affection from people all over India and the world because of his contributions to science, technology, and national development as well as his humility and enthusiasm for motivating young people.
Some of APJ Abdul Kalam’s significant contributions include:
The growth of India’s ballistic missile and space programmes was greatly aided by Kalam. He was a crucial player in the development of the Prithvi and Agni missiles, which improved India’s defensive capability.
In his dual roles as the head of the Indian Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Chief Scientific Advisor to the Prime Minister, Kalam was a key contributor to India’s successful nuclear tests in Pokhran in 1998, which helped to establish India as a nuclear power.
Kalam had a close relationship with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), which conducts space research. He pushed for the creation of several satellite launchers, such as the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV), and backed their development.
The notion of “Vision 2020,” a plan to make India a developed country by the year 2020, was established by visionary leader Kalam. In order to accomplish this, he emphasised the value of technology, education, and sustainable development.
Kalam served as an example for many people, particularly the Indian young. He encouraged kids to seek jobs in science and technology by actively engaging with them.
Generations will be inspired by his speeches and interactions with students to set lofty goals and work towards a better India. Every year on October 15, the Indian government observes APJ Abdul Kalam’s birthday as World Student Day.
After his passing on September 4, 2015, an island off the coast of Orrisa was given the new name APJ Abdul Kalam Island.