Today, October 15, marks World Student Day, commemorating the birthday of the eleventh President of India, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. The day is observed globally to acknowledge his immense contributions to the field of education.
Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam was born on October 15, 1931, in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu. Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam hailed from a Tamil Muslim family and was the youngest of his siblings. After completing his education at Schwartz Higher Secondary School, Ramanathapuram, he graduated in physics from Saint Joseph’s College, Tiruchirappalli, in 1954. Following this, he pursued aerospace engineering at the Madras Institute of Technology.
After graduating in 1960, Dr. Kalam began his career at the Aeronautical Development Establishment of the Defence Research and Development Organisation. Notably, he played a pivotal role in India’s space programme, serving as the project director for India’s first Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-III), which deployed the Rohini satellite in 1980.
Dr. Kalam served as the Chief Scientific Adviser to the Prime Minister and Secretary of the Defence Research and Development Organisation from 1992 to 1999. He later became the 11th President of India, earning the affectionate title of “People’s President.” Following his presidency, he continued to contribute to education, serving as a visiting professor and honorary fellow at various institutions.
Beyond his political and scientific achievements, Dr. Kalam was a renowned author, penning notable works, including his autobiography, “Wings of Fire” (1999). His dedication to education extended to teaching positions at institutions like the Indian Institute of Management Shillong, the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, and Anna University.
On July 27, 2015, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam passed away while delivering a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management Shillong. His legacy lives on through his extensive body of work, and he remains the recipient of numerous awards, including the Padma Vibhushan (1990) and the Bharat Ratna (1997), two of India’s highest honours.
While the United Nations declared October 15 as Students’ Day in 2010, recognising Dr. Kalam’s impact, World Student Day is particularly significant in India, where his birthday is celebrated as a day to honour and inspire the next generation of learners.
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