A journey of devotion from Rameshwaram to Raisina Hills
Big dreams are prerequisites for big achievements. And strong leaders not only dream and achieve what we think is impossible, but also inspire us to dream big.
The 6th President of USA, John Quincy Adams said these words : ” “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more,do more, and become more, you are a leader”.
And another president of another country said these words: “Dream is not that which you see while sleeping ; it is something that does not let you sleep.” These were the words of the 11th President of India, who is none other than Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.
In his autobiography, Wings of Fire, he tells us the importance of dreaming and the necessity of having a vision, in order for us to move towards future. A future we must conquer with confidence and hard work.
Here is a man who dreamed bigger than many would have imagined in his day and age. And achieved such greats heights that he is known as the Missile Man of India. Yes. Superman, Spiderman, Batman are all imaginary. They are just characters from fiction. But this man – the Missile Man – is real.
And he arrived in Bahrain last night, and will be with us in Bahrain today and tomorrow. Amidst his busy schedule ,he has found time to attend the 4th anniversary of our DT News, which will be celebrated today at a luncheon reception being organised jointly with Bahrain India Society .
We are all honoured to welcome this great son of India , who has inspired and influenced millions of young minds around the world.
Dr Kalam’s technological contributions also included biomedical field. His expertise in materials led to collaboration with medical specialists in the development of a low-weight orthosis calipers and a cost-effective ‘cardiac stent’.
The journey of Dr Kalam , from a humble island-town of Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu state, to Raisina Hills, the seat of Rashtrapathi Bhavan, in Delhi , was marked with several challenges which he was able to overcome successfully with commitment and determination.
Here is a man from Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), who became the Project Director for India’s first Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-3) which placed ROHINI satellite in orbit.
Here is a man from India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) who played a pivotal role in India’s development of ballistic missile systems, and a man who was the Scientific Adviser to India’s Defence Minister.
Here is a man who then served as the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, in the rank of a Cabinet Minister, and helped transform India into a nuclear weapons state.
Here is man who after serving as the 11th President of India between 2002 and 2007 , has since spoken to over 16 million youth of India.
Here is a man who holds the post of the Chancellor of Indian Institute of Science, and of distinguished professor in many academic institutions. A man honoured by 48 honorory doctorates from universities in India and abroad.
I had the unique privilege of interviewing him in Mumbai when he was serving as the President of the world’s largest democracy. When I asked him to give a message to expatriate Indians in Bahrain, he said : “Enrich your host country with your sweat, knowledge and dignity.”
Our host country Bahrain , which has become a symbol of cultural diversity and religious tolerance, is treating him as a State Guest, thanks to the benevolence of the Royal Family.
If engineers are great, aerospace engineers are greater. If scientists are great, rocket scientists are greater.
With a heart filled with pride, we welcome the professor, author, aerospace scientist, and the former President of India, Bharat Ratna A P J Abdul Kalam!