World Student’s Day 2024: Celebrating Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s Legacy of Education: In India, October 15 is celebrated as World Children’s Day to mark the birth anniversary of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. Dr Kalam was not only a scientist and a President; he was an ardent seeker of education all his life. His post-presidency years were spent in the company of India’s young minds. Dr. Kalam was a speaker at many educational institutions in India and abroad. He wanted to inspire the country’s students to do better for themselves and the government. Dr Kal. Knew the power of education and its ability to transform lives. His birth anniversary is now celebrated as World Student Day in India to commemorate Dr Kalam’s legacy and honouring his love for education.
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Dr. A. P. J. Kalam: His Life
Early Life
Dr. Kalam was born on October 15, 1931, at Rameswaram, into a financially struggling family. He was one of five siblings. Dr. Kalam’s family had fallen upon hard times, but they knew the importance of education. At a young age, Dr. Kalam had to leave his small hometown and go away to another place to complete his education.
He completed an engineering degree in aeronautics at the Madras Institute of Technology in 1958. After that, he joined the Defence Research and Development Organisation. He worked here for eleven years and joined the Indian Space Research Organisation.
In the Defence of the Country
At ISRO, Dr. Kalam helmed the Satellite Launch Vehicle projects, like the SLV III project, India’s first indigenous launch vehicle.
He rejoined the Defence Research and Development Organisation in 1982 and oversaw the missile program. Agni was this program’s product and India’s first indigenously produced intermediate-range ballistic missile. It was tested in 1989. Prithvi, a surface-to-surface air missile, was another success tested under his leadership.
He was a crucial member of the team that powered India’s nuclear weaponisation with the tests at Pokhran.
Dr. A. P. J. Kalam: The President
Dr. Kalam became the 11th President of India in 2002. This appointment was a significant achievement because the NDA proposed his candidature, which was approved by all, even their political rivals, the UPA. Mr Kalam was a National Hero with no opponents. His Presidency brought him closer to the masses, who could see the man behind the genius. His love for science and technology and belief that education and technology can power India into the path of progress became more audible and visible to the common man.
Dr A. P. J. Kalam and Students
Dr. A. P. J Kalam was at the forefront of the Indian Space Technology Program and the Nuclear Tests at Pokhran, which brought him into the limelight. Young students found an ideal by which they could be inspired. Space Engineering Aerospace Engineering got a boost in the country. Students could see opportunities for growth and contributing to the nation just like Dr. Kalam.
After his Presidency, Dr. Kalam was a part of many educational institutions where he lectured and interacted with students.
People of all ages loved Dr. Kalam, and he was popularly called ’The People’s President.’
Dr Kalam interacted with people in a very frank and down-to-earth manner, which made him more accessible to people. His emphasis on education and technology to propagate growth also endeared him to young and old alike.
He is one of the founding Chancellors of the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology, a Deemed to be University. He is currently at an autonomous institute under the Department of Space. He was associated with myriad educational institutes. He breathed his last on July 27, 2015, at 83, at the Indian Institute of Management, Shillong. He suffered a heart attack when he had gone there for a lecture. He spent his life in the cause of the nation’s progress and illuminated a spark for young minds in space, aerospace and technology.
World Student’s Day 2024
Schools all over the country are celebrating this day with enthusiasm. After all, it is the students who make up the country’s young demographic and must be suitably recognised. Since it is celebrated on Dr. Kalam’s birth anniversary, schools can link the learnings of Dr. Kalam’s life with the celebrations planned for this day.
Some events that schools can plan for World Student’s Day are:
- Science and Technology Fair
Students should be encouraged to make scientific presentations and models to showcase their scientific understanding. They can make interdisciplinary models like combining science with history or a language to show its unique amalgamation.
- Computer-Based Games and Apps
Students can be asked to make apps for problems they see around them that need a solution. App-making is very popular among young computer science enthusiasts and will help them understand issues and find solutions via computer science.
- Organise a Book Fair
Instead of a new book fair, schools should organise a book fair where students can swap their books or organise a book collection and send it to an orphanage or an NGO that works with underprivileged children. Older children can be group leaders for this project.
- Essay Writing
Essay writing is a very popular event. Schools can ask students to write about Dr. A. P. J. Kalam, his life, and the inspiration they draw from it. It will help them to understand his life, struggles and achievements in a better manner.
Conclusion
A leader is rarely loved unanimously by all kinds of people; Dr. Kalam was that kind of public figure. His dedication to the country’s upliftment and desire to see India on the path of progress had endeared him to millions of Indians. His birth anniversary on October 15 is now celebrated as World Student’s Day. Dr Kalam said, “Great dreams of great dreamers are always transcended,” so dream big; if you can visualise your dreams, you can achieve them.