‘Mahatma' A.P.J. ABDUL KALAM
WORLD STUDENTS DAY … October 15, 2017
Dr. T. Rama Prasad
A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. Not just the most memorable Indian. Lots more than ‘Mahatma’. He left the planet to enter into eternal space on his own rocket. It has been a unique, massive, spontaneous and emotional farewell to the epitome of humanity, science, teaching and energy. He was a true human, thinker, philosopher, scientist, author, nationalist, patriot, policy-maker and visionary, all rolled into one. 'Wings of Fire', 'India Vision 2020' and 'Ignited Minds' are among the popular books he wrote.
He had a huge 'human band-width' -- cryogenics to common man, missiles to medicinal plants, Polio to politics, 'Gita' to galaxies, 'Veena' to voyages in space, seashore to statesmanship, Rameswaram to Rashtrapathi Bhavan, physics to philosophy and so on.
He was a bachelor, a lifelong vegetarian and a lover of 'Carnatic' music. He held bombs and missiles in one hand and 'Gita' and 'namaz' in the other, with no sense of incongruity, an embodiment of the eclecticism of India's heritage of diversity - a complete Indian and more than anything else a simple and true good human being. He said something like this: " A 'Muslim Kalam' lighted a 'Hindu Kuthuvizhakku' with a 'Christian candle' ! " His religious vision is so broad without boundaries that he quipped at a question about his religious attitude: “My name has 3 initials – APJ – A for Allah; P for Perumal; J for Jesus !
He was a bachelor, a lifelong vegetarian and a lover of 'Carnatic' music. He held bombs and missiles in one hand and 'Gita' and 'namaz' in the other, with no sense of incongruity, an embodiment of the eclecticism of India's heritage of diversity - a complete Indian and more than anything else a simple and true good human being. He said something like this: " A 'Muslim Kalam' lighted a 'Hindu Kuthuvizhakku' with a 'Christian candle' ! " His religious vision is so broad without boundaries that he quipped at a question about his religious attitude: “My name has 3 initials – APJ – A for Allah; P for Perumal; J for Jesus !
The unprecedented reverence expressed by people from all walks of life is not just because he was the President of India or because he was the "Missile Man" of India. It is because of his undefinable blend of multifaceted approach to human beings and the nation with which he worked in multiple ways in multiple roles during his entire life. He had a passion to teach and shape students to build a powerful India to compete with advanced nations. And the iconic master with indomitable spirit did that throughout his life - and even at the moment of his last breath in Shillong. His inspirational spirit would persist among the students and the youth.
In 2005, Switzerland declared May 26 as "Science Day" to commemorate Dr. Kalam's visit to the European country.
And as a fitting tribute, the United Nations Organization (UNO) has declared Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam's birthday (October 15) as the "WORLD STUDENTS DAY".
Dr. T. Rama Prasad, http://drtramaprasad.blogspot.com
'Pay what you can' Clinic, Perundurai, Erode Dt., TN, India.
Former Medical Superintendent (Special), RTS & IRT Perundurai Medical College and Research Centre.
'Pay what you can' Clinic, Perundurai, Erode Dt., TN, India.
Former Medical Superintendent (Special), RTS & IRT Perundurai Medical College and Research Centre.
It is gratifying to note the benevolent activities of SELVA CHARITABLE TRUST and MARIALAYA & MARIANIVAS homes.
Outstanding lyric by the gifted and talented lyric poet Dr. R. Sivakumar, Superintendent of Police, Erode District, Tamil Nadu
No comments:
Post a Comment