SALAAM KALAM

Thoughts of late President APJ Abdul Kalam are dear as the entire nation pays homage to the People's President on his first death anniversary

It’s been exactly a year since APJ Abdul Kalam, popularly known as the The ‘Missile Man’ left us.  A simple man with an indomitable spirit and never-say-die attitude, Dr Kalam was a teacher, scientist, author, poet, apart from being the 11th President of India. Most educational institutions across the country celebrated the birth anniversary of the 'missile man' on 15 October last year by organising blood donation camps, seminars, conferences and planted saplings in memory of the President.

Here are some trivia about the ‘People’s President’:

Favourite books:

1. Lights from Many Lamps containing the writings of various authors.

2. Thirukural by famous Tamil poet, Thiruvalluvar

3. Man the Unknown by Nobel laureate Alexis Carrel.

Favourite food:

A man of simple tastes, Kalam was a vegetarian and his favourite food was his mother Ashiyamma's home-cooked food of rice and sambar with coconut chutney.

Kalam’s 5 takes:

On the power of dreams

Dreams are not those which comes while we are sleeping, but dreams are those when u don't sleep before fulfilling them

On the importance of learning

Learning gives creativity, Creativity leads to thinking, Thinking provides knowledge, Knowledge makes you great.

On winning people

It is very easy to defeat someone, but it is very hard to win someone.

On our aim for India 

The country doesn't deserve anything less than success from us. Let us aim for success.

On taking responsibility

Be active! Take on responsibility! Work for the things you believe in. If you do not, you are surrendering your fate to others 

(Kalam’s poetic tribute to his mother)

I still remember the day when I was ten,

Sleeping on your lap to the envy of my elder brothers and sisters.

It was full moon night, my world only you knew Mother!, My Mother!

When at midnight, I woke with tears falling on my knee

You knew the pain of your child, My Mother.

Your caring hands, tenderly removing the pain

Your love, your care, your faith gave me strength,

To face the world without fear and with His strength.

We will meet again on the great Judgement Day. My Mother!