Some people claim to greatness by way of saying it, but some people claim to greatness by never having to claim to it.
Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam (born on 15 October 1931 in the beautiful Rameswaram town of Tamil Nadu) has been talked about as and remains to be the most beloved President of India that the country has ever had. Indeed, he was the only one who could have made the unfathomable transition from being the Missile Man of India to becoming the People’s President, two roles which were poles apart, and yet he excelled at both of them in his inimitable effortless manner. He was a walking inspiration and continues to inspire us long after he has left.
After finishing his education at Schwartz Higher Secondary School in Ramanathapuram, Dr. Kalam enrolled at St. Joseph’s College in Tiruchirappalli, graduating with a degree in Physics in 1954. In 1955, he relocated to Madras to pursue aerospace engineering at the Madras Institute of Technology. During his time there, Dr. Kalam worked diligently on a senior class project.
Innumerable instances from his life still move us, and on his birthday, we go back to some of those moments that have touched the lives of millions of Indians, and motivated us to “Dare to Dream”.
Dr. Kalam always had a special bond with children. No matter whether he was a scientist or the President, first and foremost, he always thought of himself as a teacher. When it had been declared that he would be the next President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam had gone to a small school to deliver a lecture to about 400 children. As fate would have it, the electricity went off at the school and he had gone there with very minimal security.
But that did not deter him and instead of waiting, he stepped forward and asked all the students to circle around him, and started off his lecture without any pomp or show.
“If people will remember me as a good teacher, that will be the biggest honour for me,” are his words that resonate with us even today.
He believed that greatness can never be achieved without compassion and humility. His life is a living testament to that. He never thought himself to be superior to anyone, and believed that there was something to learn from everyone. On several occasions, he would receive requests from children and youth who wanted to meet him and share their ideas. He not only met them, but also discussed with great passion every idea that they shared with him.
These little anecdotes that make up the exemplary life of Dr. Kalam make one smile and leave one inspired. One story that stands out is from the days when he was working as a scientist. 70 scientists were working on a project together, and one of the junior members of his team had promised to take his children to an exhibition, and so wanted to leave early at 5:30 PM. While Dr. Kalam agreed readily, the scientist got occupied with work and by the time he realized he had to go, it was already 8:30 PM. However, Kalam had figured that the scientist had gotten busy, and had showed up at his house at 5:15 PM and took his children to the exhibition instead!
The purity and beauty of his actions remain unparalleled even today. Perhaps, because of his little quirks and huge generosity, Dr. Kalam remains to date one of those rare leaders who are equally loved by all. On his birthday, let us all remember this great visionary of our time, the pride of the country, the children’s favourite.
He may have left the world on 27 July 2015 after living 83 fruitful years, but he will forever remain in our hearts!
Smile Foundation and Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
‘I am Kalam’ is a 2011 Indian Hindi-language drama film produced by Smile Foundation and is the story of a boy Chotu, from a poor family who works as a child labourer at a highway-side dhaba. Irrespective of the problems in his life, he is a happy child with a simple dream to become someone like Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. Learn about the movie here!
We are excited to invite schools to join us in a unique educational initiative by screening the movie “I Am Kalam” for your students. This film, which beautifully captures the transformative impact of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s words and actions, is a reminder of the power of dreams and determination.
Screening “I Am Kalam” at your school will provide students with valuable lessons about:
- Resilience and Determination: Chhotu’s story exemplifies how determination and a positive attitude can overcome even the most challenging circumstances.
- The Importance of Education: Dr. Kalam’s emphasis on education as a tool for empowerment will resonate deeply with students, encouraging them to value and pursue their studies with renewed vigor.
- Inspiring Leadership: Dr. Kalam’s life demonstrated that true leadership is about service, humility, and dedication to a greater cause. His example teaches students that anyone can make a significant impact, regardless of their starting point.
Interactive Discussions
After the screening, we encourage schools to hold interactive discussions where students can share their thoughts and reflections on the movie.
How to Participate
We invite your school to take part in this initiative by organizing a screening of “I Am Kalam” for your students. Here are the steps to get started:
- Contact Us: Reach out to our team at +91 70654 45667 (Alka Karnatak, Child for Child Programme) or mail us at: [email protected] to schedule a screening date.
- Prepare for the Screening: We will provide you with resources and discussion guides to help facilitate a meaningful experience for your students.
By screening “I Am Kalam” at your school, you will not only entertain your students but also instill in them the values and ideals that Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam stood for. The movie will open up meaningful discussions and personal reflections, encouraging students to dream big and strive for excellence.
We look forward to collaborating with schools to bring this inspiring story to young minds across the country. Let’s work together to nurture the next generation of leaders and changemakers, inspired by the legacy of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.