APJ Abdul Kalam’s inspiring quotes to read on birth anniversary of ‘Missile Man of India’

An aerospace scientist, statesman, author and the 11^th President of India, Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam, aka, APJ Abdul Kalam, was an extraordinaire who had touched and inspired many lives across borders.

Kalam dedicated several decades of his career as a science administrator, especially at Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). After his contribution to the development of ballistic missile and launch vehicle technology, he was given the title of the ‘Missile Man of India’.

Born in a Tamil Muslim family in Rameswaram municipality of Ramanathapuram district in Tamil Nadu in 1931, APJ Abdul Kalam was elected as the 11^th President of India in 2002 with the support of the then ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and opposition Indian National Congress. This gave his the title of ‘People’s President’.

After serving the country as President for a single term, Kalam returned to civil life of education, writing and public service. His contribution to the education, science and technology and public service sector earned his several awards, including the Bharat Ratna.

APJ Abdul Kalam breathed his last on July 27, 2015. He was delivering a lecture on ‘Creating a Livable Planet Earth’ at IIM, Shillong when he suddenly collapsed. He was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital where the doctors declared him dead by cardiac arrest.

On Dr.APJ Abdul Kalam’s 91^st birth anniversary, here are 10 inspiring quotes by the ‘People’s President’:

• If you want to shine like a sun, first burn like a sun.
• You have to dream before your dreams can come true.
• Excellence is a continuous process and not an accident.
• To become ‘unique,’ the challenge is to fight the hardest battle which anyone can imagine until you reach your destination.
• We should not give up and we should not allow the problem to defeat us.
• The youth need to be enabled to become job generators from job seekers.
• Let us sacrifice our today so that our children can have a better tomorrow.
• Man needs his difficulties because they are necessary to enjoy success.
• No religion has mandated killing others as a requirement for its sustenance or promotion.
• Be more dedicated to making solid achievements than in running after swift but synthetic happiness.