Abdul Kalam, also known as A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, was a scientist, president, and visionary who is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in Indian history. He was born on October 15, 1931, in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, and rose from humble beginnings to become the chief architect of India’s missile and nuclear programs. He was also the 11th president of India from 2002 to 2007, and earned the nickname “the People’s President” for his popularity and accessibility. He was also a prolific writer, speaker, and teacher, who inspired millions of people, especially the youth, with his words of wisdom, optimism, and patriotism. He died on July 27, 2015, while delivering a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management in Shillong, Meghalaya.
Abdul Kalam’s quotes are a source of inspiration and motivation for many people, as they reflect his vision, values, and philosophy of life. He spoke and wrote on various topics, such as education, science, success, life, peace, and more. In this blog post, we will share some of his best quotes on these topics, and explain what they mean and how they can help us in our personal and professional lives.
Education
Abdul Kalam was a firm believer in the power and importance of education, as he himself was a lifelong learner and teacher. He advocated for a quality and holistic education that would develop the minds, hearts, and souls of the students, and prepare them for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. He also emphasized the role of teachers, parents, and society in nurturing and supporting the students, and encouraging them to pursue their dreams and passions. Here are some of his quotes on education:
- “Learning gives creativity, creativity leads to thinking, thinking provides knowledge, knowledge makes you great.”
- “One of the very important characteristics of a student is to question. Let the students ask questions.”
- “The purpose of education is to make good human beings with skill and expertise… Enlightened human beings can be created by teachers.”
- “Educationists should build the capacities of the spirit of inquiry, creativity, entrepreneurial and moral leadership among students and become their role model.”
- “If you want to succeed in your life, remember this phrase: That past does not equal the future. Because, you were born with wings. Don’t crawl. Don’t walk. Run and fly.”
Science
Abdul Kalam was a passionate and visionary scientist, who dedicated his life to the advancement and application of science and technology for the benefit of humanity. He was involved in various scientific and technological projects, such as the development of India’s first satellite launch vehicle, the Agni and Prithvi missiles, the Pokhran-II nuclear tests, and the Kalam-Raju stent. He also advocated for a scientific temper and a spirit of innovation among the people, especially the youth, and urged them to use science and technology for solving the problems and improving the lives of the people. Here are some of his quotes on science:
- “Science is a beautiful gift to humanity; we should not distort it.”
- “We should not give up and we should not allow the problem to defeat us.”
- “Look at the sky. We are not alone. The whole universe is friendly to us and conspires only to give the best to those who dream and work.”
- “Creativity is the key to success in the future, and primary education is where teachers can bring creativity in children at that level.”
- “You see, God helps only people who work hard. That principle is very clear.”
Success
Abdul Kalam was a successful and accomplished person, who achieved many milestones and honors in his life. He was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honor, in 1997, and received honorary doctorates from several universities around the world. He was also nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005. He attributed his success to his hard work, perseverance, confidence, and faith. He also shared his secrets and tips for success with others, and motivated them to overcome their failures and challenges, and pursue their goals and aspirations. Here are some of his quotes on success:
- “If you want to shine like a sun, first burn like a sun.”
- “Don’t take rest after your first victory because if you fail in second, more lips are waiting to say that your first victory was just luck.”
- “All of us do not have equal talent. But, all of us have an equal opportunity to develop our talents.”
- “What is the secret of success? Right decisions. How do you make right decisions? Experience. How do you gain experience? Wrong decisions.”
- “Success is when your signature becomes an autograph.”
Life
Abdul Kalam lived a simple and humble life, despite his fame and achievements. He was a man of integrity, honesty, and humility, who followed his principles and values. He was also a man of spirituality, who believed in God and his grace. He lived a life of purpose and service, who dedicated his life to the nation and its people. He lived a life of joy and gratitude, who appreciated the beauty and blessings of life. He lived a life of love and compassion, who cared for and inspired others. Here are some of his quotes on life:
- “Life is a difficult game. You can win it only by retaining your birthright to be a person.”
- “My message, especially to young people is to have courage to think differently, courage to invent, to travel the unexplored path, courage to discover the impossible and to conquer the problems and succeed. These are great qualities that they must work towards. This is my message to the young people.”
- “If you are born with fame, it is an accident. If you die with fame, it is an achievement.”
- “To succeed in your mission, you must have single-minded devotion to your goal.”
- “Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.”
Peace
Abdul Kalam was a peacemaker, who worked for the peace and harmony of the world. He was a believer in the power and potential of dialogue, cooperation, and understanding among the nations and peoples of the world. He was a promoter of the culture and values of peace, such as tolerance, respect, and non-violence. He was a dreamer of a peaceful and prosperous world, where everyone would live in dignity and freedom. Here are some of his quotes on peace:
- “For great men, religion is a way of making friends; small people make religion a fighting tool.”
- “We will be remembered only if we give to our younger generation a prosperous and safe India, resulting out of economic prosperity coupled with civilizational heritage.”
- “Let me define a leader. He must have vision and passion and not be afraid of any problem. Instead, he should know how to defeat it. Most importantly, he must work with integrity.”
- “In a democracy, the well-being, individuality and happiness of every citizen is important for the overall prosperity, peace and happiness of the nation.”
- “We are all born with a divine fire in us. Our efforts should be to give wings to this fire and fill the world with the glow of its goodness.”
Conclusion
Abdul Kalam was a scientist, president, and visionary who inspired millions with his quotes. His quotes are a source of inspiration and motivation for many people, as they reflect his vision, values, and philosophy of life. He spoke and wrote on various topics, such as education, science, success, life, peace, and more. In this blog post, we have shared some of his best quotes on these topics, and explained what they mean and how they can help us in our personal and professional lives. We hope that you have enjoyed reading this blog post, and learned something from Abdul Kalam’s quotes. If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to share them with us.