A. P. J. Abdul Kalam’s Birthday- His Memorable Quotes
A.P.J. Abdul Kalam – President of India
A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, full name Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam, (born October 15, 1931, Rameswaram, India—died July 27, 2015, Shillong), was an Indian scientist and politician who played a leading role in the development of India’s missile and nuclear weapons programs. He was president of India from 2002 to 2007.
Everyone knows him as the ‘Missile Man’ for his program at DRDO that produced a number of successful missiles. His prominent role in the country’s 1998 nuclear weapons tests solidified India as a nuclear power and established Kalam as a national hero, although the tests caused great concern in the international community. In 1998 Kalam put forward a countrywide plan called Technology Vision 2020, which he described as a road map for transforming India from a less-developed to a developed society in 20 years. The plan called for, among other measures, increasing agricultural productivity, emphasizing technology as a vehicle for economic growth, and widening access to health care and education.
11th President Of India
Kalam easily won the election and was sworn in as India’s 11th president, a largely ceremonial post, in July 2002. He left office at the end of his term in 2007 and was succeeded by Pratibha Patil, the country’s first woman president.
Abdul Kalam learned the qualities of honesty, simplicity and self discipline from his father and kindness from his mother. Jainulabdeen used to lead a very simple life and he didn’t believe in luxuries and by observing him, he too avoided all the luxuries even after becoming the President of India.
Youth Renaissance Day
Following his death, Kalam received numerous tributes. The Tamil Nadu state government announced that his birthday, 15 October, would be observed across the state as ‘Youth Renaissance Day’.
Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam inspired me in a lot of ways but one thing which inspired me most was his reaction and adaptation to Failure. He never stopped working and dreaming just because of failure instead he worked harder.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s Birthday and His Memorable Quotes
Who was Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam?
Dr. Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam was an Indian scientist and the 11th President of India (2002–2007). He was known as the “Missile Man of India” for his contribution to India’s missile and nuclear weapons programs.
What is the full name of Abdul Kalam?
Dr. Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam is the full name of APJ Abdul Kalam.
When and where was Dr. Abdul Kalam born?
He was born on October 15, 1931, in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, India.
Why is Dr. Abdul Kalam known as the ‘Missile Man of India’?
He earned this title for his leading role in the DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) and the Indian missile development program, which successfully produced missiles like Agni and Prithvi.
What was Technology Vision 2020?
Technology Vision 2020 was a national plan proposed by Dr. Kalam in 1998, aimed at transforming India into a developed nation. It focused on areas such as agriculture, education, healthcare, and technology-driven growth.
What values did Dr. Kalam learn from his parents?
From his father, he learned honesty, simplicity, and self-discipline, and from his mother, he imbibed kindness and compassion.
What is Youth Renaissance Day?
Following his death, the Tamil Nadu government declared October 15, Dr. Kalam’s birthday, as Youth Renaissance Day to honor his vision and inspiration for the youth of India.
How did Dr. Abdul Kalam deal with failure?
He believed that failure was a stepping stone to success. He inspired others by never giving up and by continuing to dream and work hard despite setbacks.
What are some of Dr. Kalam’s most famous quotes?
Here are a few of his most inspiring quotes:
-
“Dream, Dream, Dream. Dreams transform into thoughts and thoughts result in action.”
-
“We should not give up and we should not allow the problem to defeat us.”
-
“Dream is not that which you see while sleeping, it is something that does not let you sleep.”
-
“Success is when your signature becomes an autograph.”
-
“One of the very important characteristics of a student is to question. Let the students ask questions.”
What is the main message from Dr. Kalam’s life and words?
Dr. Kalam taught us to dream big, stay humble, work hard, and never give up. His life is a model of perseverance, simplicity, and service to the nation.
Does Bookosmia have books related to courage and freedom?
Yes, here is Curated Bookosmia Books on Courage & Freedom
| Sr.No | Title | Author & Age / Info | Theme / Why It Inspires Courage or Freedom |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cordelia: A Tale of Grace and Grit | Bookosmia, ages 7+ bookosmia.com | About a girl’s journey to follow her dream of horse riding, facing setbacks, showing perseverance and grit. |
| 2 | Ella’s Adventures: From Chaos to Stardom | Trisha Garg, 11 bookosmia.com | A story of standing up for oneself, confronting bullying and believing in one’s talent — courage + self-belief. |
| 3 | Chambadu The Dinosaur: The Origin Story | Harshada Gunjikar, illustrated by Pooja Saklani, ages 6+ bookosmia.com | Shows kindness, courage, friendship when a lonely T-Rex tries to connect, even when misunderstood. |
| 4 | Chico and Friends | Sheba Samson bookosmia.com | Two monkeys given responsibility (as jungle ministers), must use wisdom & bravery to help others. Friendship + bravery. |
| 5 | Father Fish | Swati Kheria; Pehar Kaur (9-yr old) bookosmia.com | Little fish loses his father; sets on an underwater journey — demonstrating courage, friendship, teamwork. |
***
This article is published by Bookosmia, India’s #1 publisher for and by young people. Bookosmia publishes stories, books, podcasts, events, TED-Ed talks, workshops, bedtime stories and more related to kids and young adults.
Photo Credit – AI generated Images By Canva
Want to publish your articles, reviews, stories, audio stories, bedtime stories and poems ?
Did you know that children can submit audio stories to be turned into Bedtime Stories and published on Bedtime Stories – A Podcast by Bookosmia?
Write to us at sara@bookosmia.com or submit your article at the link below


