The Celebrated Scientist of Asia

Warm Welcome to the Hon. Dr AJP Abdul Kalam –

January 21, 2012, 3:55 pm , Sunday Island


A.H.M. Azwer, MP

Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam, or the Hon. Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, aerospace engineer, who was the first Chancellor of the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology Thiruvananthapuram (IIST), and later served as the 11th President of the Republic of India from 2002 to 2007, visits Sri Lanka on the 20th instant. He is scheduled to address a distinguished gathering at the BMICH.

Born in the town of Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu, he attended Qur’an Madrasa and the masjid under the strict supervision of his father. His father maintained a close rapport with the Indian Tamils and Hindus who used to worship at their temples in the vicinity. His father used to construct fishing boats, while his son Abdul Kalam used to on the beach and gaze at the Indian Ocean and ruminating on India’s future.

In his formative days, Abdul Kalam, who hailed from a poor family, used to sell newspapers at the railway station. The cyclone which once hit the 2-km Pamban Bridge which connects Rameswaram on Pamban Island to mainland India put paid to his "job." However, he possessed grit and determination and embarked on higher studies at the Madras College of Technology and emerged with flying colours. He received double promotions in his grades. Funds were short, and his sister was compelled to part with her jewellery to ensure young Abdul Kalam continued his education.

This scientist was known as the "Missile Man of India." His efforts at shaping the guided Missile Development Program in the development of five missiles - Prithvi, Trishul, Akash, Nag and the most awaited Agni, were profound. Dr Abdul Kalam with YS Rajan authored a book titled India 2020 – A Vision for the New Millenium (1998) followed by his autobiography assisted by Arun Tiwari, Wings of Fire (1999). In India 2020, it is stated that, ‘After a talk on the role of technology could play in shaping a modern India, a ten-year-old girl came up to Dr Kalam for his autograph. "What is your ambition?" Dr Kalam asked her. The response was prompt. "I would like to live in a developed India." That aspiration, simply expressed, has been the hope of millions of Indians since independence. At the edge of the new millennium, Dr Kalam and YS Rajan show us how to accomplish that goal.’ Dr Abdul Kalam states that, "A developed India by 2020, or even earlier, is not a dream. It need not even be a mere vision in the minds of many Indians. It is a mission we can all take up – and succeed."

As a professor, he occupied a small room at the Annamalai University in Madras. I once took my grand-daughter, Fathima Sarah, who offered Dr Abdul Kalam a pack of Ceylon Tea. He initially addressed the child and interacted with her, posing a few questions. He predicted that she will excel in maths and numbers.

I have the privilege of being the first foreigner to meet and felicitate Dr Abdul Kalam after his Presidency was announced on 25 July, 2002. This was made possible by Asokan Manavaithamby, a great friend of Sri Lanka. At this meeting, Dr Abdul Kalam told me he had an uncle - his mother’s brother - Ibrahim Marikar, living in Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka, and would like to visit Sri Lanka and meet with him one day. I traced his uncle who had shifted residence to Chilaw. He passed away some five years ago, and sadly missed out on his illustrious nephew meeting with him in our country.

Dr Abdul Kalam developed a new science, speaking with children, surveying their intellect and forming an idea of each one’s brilliance. He is the ace scientist of Asia.