A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, nuclear scientist and former president of India, has died
thehindu.com
thehindu.com
Less known is the fact that he helped design a coronary stent at a much lower cost, utilizing techniques and lightweight materials from the missile R&D labs. He also designed lightweight artificial limb production processes.
In this way, he had a deep concern for the social benefits of the common man, and distinguished himself from other scientists who lived in a world of their own.
RIP Sir.
May your memory be eternal!
I still remember to my heart when he came to me and when I replied I wanted to become a software engineer he smiled and replied "And when you become, become a good one".
Really a great loss for India.
During the Q&A, a girl stood up and took the mic, she can't have been over 10 years old, and she asked him in plain English why he wasn't going to stand for President again when he was loved by every single person in the country. She asked the question that was on the minds of every Indian in the room. His response was measured, balanced and most of all inspirational. He commented that he wanted to return to his passion. That he was a scientist at heart, and that the country was in good hands.
My family WhatsApp group is flooded with messages over the last few hours of the various encounters they've had with Dr. Kalam. Even his last breathe was taken at IIM Shillong doing what he does best; inspiring a nation. A friend of mine in Bangalore had the honor of meeting him recently. He has been working on a space startup in India for the last three years and commented how special it was to have the occasion to speak to Dr. Kalam about the future of the Indian space sector.
He was an incredible scientist, a visionary, a leader and in someways that is outdone by the single fact that he united a single country: with all the religious tension between Hindus and Muslims, no one I have ever met back in India has considered him to be anything else than ours.
The 27th of July should be a national day of recognition for his genius.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Astronautical_Co...
[2] http://specials.rediff.com/news/2007/sep/27slide1.htm
EDIT: Minor corrections
Might you want to chose 15 October since it was his birthday?
Slightly off-topic, but there are already too many "national holidays" in India. Added with the "state holidays", there are barely any workdays left.
Moreover I read somewhere that Dr. Kalam himself wanted people to work harder on his death day and not take a holiday. Not sure if that is misattributed to him, but I'm sure his thoughts would have been similar.
"Don't declare a holiday on my death. Instead work an extra day if you love me." - Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam
"Dream is not that which you see while sleeping it is something that does not let you sleep." ― A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Wings of Fire: An Autobiography
Some of his books : http://www.amazon.com/A.-P.-J.-Abdul-Kalam/e/B001H9RNS0/
Brief from Wikipedia : He spent the next four decades as a scientist and science administrator, mainly at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and was intimately involved in India's civilian space program and military missile development efforts. He thus came to be known as the Missile Man of India for his work on the development of ballistic missile and launch vehicle technology. He also played a pivotal organizational, technical and political role in India's Pokhran-II nuclear tests in 1998, the first since the original nuclear test by India in 1974.
Also something to apply to one's personal life.
[1] http://www.cnet.com/news/india-leader-advocates-open-source/
RIP.
Edit: It is only fitting that he spent his last minutes with students.
I saw the picture of him falling just before his death, and i am disturbed. This man made the country stand on its feet technologically and here he falls amidst his students as he wished his death to be.
He is the most loved by all, he kept inspiring people to dream bigger. He never relented to retiring. He tirelessly spread his message going to schools and colleges. He is symbolic of an aspiring nation. A nation waiting to unleash its potential - he always asked his countrymen to earn respect through strength since strength respects strength.
His journey will be talked for decades to come, and he truly has become immortal. He has inspired a generation and will inspire more generations through his books and speeches. A saint at heart and a pure soul that worried about humanity and world peace - this man is the best citizen any country would die to have. A role model who transcends caste, creed , languages and religion in a country like India that is so diverse. A binding force in our country.
I am proud to have lived to see him. I am proud to be an Indian.
Every once in a while a great person descends to earth, he is one of them. A saint, a gentleman, a scientist, an orator, a poet, a writer , the greatest teacher, The President of India - various though your roles, you were focused and dedicated. Your soul is so pure, your voice will echo through this nation for decades ahead.
The nation skipped a heartbeat at the news of your death. You have lit a fire, we will spread the wings of this fire that you have lit.
Salutes, to you sir! We will love you now and forever.
Return If Possible sir. :'(
I think it was a dream death for him. Till last breath he was contributing to the nation.. Salute sir
Source : http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/n/nelsonmand101682....
He will remain an inspiration.
Here is the full speech: http://www.iitg.ac.in/pro/sites/default/files/14thConvo_Chie...
Read "Wings of Fire"[0] if you haven't already!
His passion was to inspire and ignite young minds and encourage them to propel India on a global scale. His numerous interactions with school children, political leaders, industrialists and scholars have a common theme - India can do it.
On small example of how he always tries to look out for the benefit of everybody: "A school in Madurai had organized an event and invited Dr. Kalam as the chief guest. He initially declined the invitation saying that it would benefit only private school students. Then the school had to modify their plans and invited over 500 students from various other government schools in the vicinity to attend the event too. Only then did he agree to be the chief guest of the event. "
When it was his turn to speak, he said: ``My staff has written a wonderful script for me to read aloud. You can read it on my Website tomorrow. But now, I shall talk about good R&D, or the lack of it, in India." And he went on to deliver a very inspiring speech.
Great man!
edit: @mods: Can you please update the url
* updated the link..
RIP Sir.
May his soul watch over the world.
I am standing the 73th orbit of the earth rotating to the sun, then what is my age?
Many young scientists replied the correct answer.
Feeling proud of him, truely inspiring leader
Always enjoyed reading his books.
Please update to: "Nuclear scientist and former president of India, Abdul Kalam, has died"
Then you shouldn't have; but you chose to.
[Edit] Your comment says nothing about Dr. AK, but instead focuses on other people and other issues that IMHO have no relevance to this thread.
Actually, it does. It ranks him favorably relative to others that held the same post.
When we are talking about his legacy as a President, it pains me that we didn't extend the Presidency platform to him for another term for the betterment of India.
Please don't bring politics into it.
During the Q&A, a girl stood up and took the mic, she can't have been over 10 years old, and she asked him in plain English why he wasn't going to stand for President again when he was loved by every single person in the country. She asked the question that was on the minds of every Indian in the room. His response was measured, balanced and most of all inspirational. He commented that he wanted to return to his passion. That he was a scientist at heart, and that the country was in good hands.
Posted by kartikkumar
I also remember an article on The Hindu about this.
By the way my beef is with the fact that Kalam was undoubtedly the best choice to be the president for a second term. However as i mentioned above Sonia Gandhi (and the Congress) did not even consider his past record and instead nominated their own candidate who can never hold a candle to someone of the stature of Kalam. My objection is to the fact that you are claiming that 2007 presidential election were not political when in fact they were as political as anything in India gets. This is notable because Kalam had proven himself beyond any doubt.