Former President of India, Dr Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam or APJ Abdul Kalam, passed away on Monday evening in Shillong, Meghalaya, where he had gone to address the Indian Institute of Management (IIM).
Dr Kalam, who is also known as people's President and Missile Man of India, collapsed during a lecture at IIM Shillong. According to local media reports, he suffered cardiac arrest and was immediately rushed to the hospital.
A scientist, politician, author and professor, Dr Kalam inspired millions of people from around the word.
Here are some quotes from Dr Kalam that inspred several people:
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.
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.
Those who cannot work with their hearts achieve but a hollow, half-hearted success that breeds bitterness all around.
Away! Fond thoughts, and vex my soul no more! Work claimed my wakeful nights, my busy days Albeit brought memories of Rameswaram shore Yet haunt my dreaming gaze!
If we are not free, no one will respect us.
For great men, religion is a way of making friends; small people make religion a fighting tool.
If a country is to be corruption free and become a nation of beautiful minds, I strongly feel there are three key societal members who can make a difference. They are the father, the mother and the teacher.
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.
No religion has mandated killing others as a requirement for its sustenance or promotion.
Educationists should build the capacities of the spirit of inquiry, creativity, entrepreneurial and moral leadership among students and become their role model.
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.
