“To succeed in life and achieve results, you must understand and master three mighty forces — desire, belief, and expectation.”
This famous quote is said by India’s 11th President, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. His love and trust in the young generation of India and beyond is not hidden. Every year on October 15, the country and beyond celebrate, ‘World Students’ Day’ in honor of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, who was a beloved teacher, and a scientist.
It was the United Nations that designated October 15 as a day to celebrate Dr Kalam’s birthday as World Students’ Day, symbolizing his legacy and encouraging the values he championed.
Known as the ‘People’s President,’ Dr Kalam dedicated much of his life to inspiring and guiding young students, and his passion for teaching and learning left a profound impact on India and beyond.
He was known for his humility, his belief in the potential of the younger generation, and his advocacy 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. Pamban Island was then in the Madras Presidency and is now in Tamil Nadu. Although Dr Kalam had average grades in his school years, he was always a bright and hardworking student with a strong desire to learn. He spent hours on his studies, especially 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 Organization (DRDO).
