Last updated on 26 July 2024 IST | APJ Abdul Kalam Death Anniversary: 27th July 2024 marks the 9th death anniversary of the former President of India, Dr. Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam, largely known as Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. Fondly remembered as ‘People’s President’, he was the 11th President of India but more importantly he was the ‘Missile Man of India’ who made phenomenal and indispensable contributions to India’s space and nuclear research and development.
Often looked upon as an idol by many, Dr. Kalam’s life is quoted as an example of a fulfilling life with great achievements. But, was Dr. Kalam able to achieve the ultimate goal of the rare and precious human birth he received? What is truly the ultimate aim of human life? This blog will open doors to a completely new and thought-provoking perspective of human birth for our readers.
APJ Abdul Kalam Death Anniversary: Milestone Highlights
- Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam was born on 15th October 1931 as Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam in Rameswaram, Madras (known as Tamil Nadu today).
- Dr. Abdul Kalam was an Indian aerospace scientist who played an instrumental role in paving the way for indigenously manufactured advanced weapons for the country.
- He worked as a scientist and in various other capacities at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
- Leading several missile and nuclear weapons programs for developing India’s own military weapons, he also worked on several classified projects for Indian aerospace technology.
- The success of DRDO’s Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP), for which Dr. Kalam worked in the capacity of a Chief Executive, earned him the title ‘Missile Man of India’.
- The triumphant launch of India’s indigenous SLV-III (Satellite Launch Vehicle) and the subsequent jettisoning of the Rohini satellite was an important highlight of Dr. Kalam’s tenure at ISRO.
- He played an important role in the Pokhran-II nuclear tests of India, while serving as the Chief Scientific Advisor to the then Prime Minister and the Secretary of the DRDO from 1992 to 1999.
- He authored several books, including the most popular ‘Wings of Fire: An Autobiography’
- Kalam won the presidential elections in 2002 with a significant margin, becoming the 11th President of India. He was also conferred upon with the highest civilian honours, the Padma Vibhushan and Bharat Ratna, among other awards and honours.
- He became the First Citizen of India from 2002 to 2007, serving as the President of India. Post his presidential tenure, he worked as a visiting professor at several prestigious organisations.
- On 27 July 2015, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam suffered a cardiac arrest, just minutes after he began his lecture at the Indian Institute of Management Shillong. He was declared dead after he was rushed to the Bethany hospital closeby.
- What did a pious soul like Dr. Abdul Kalam fail to do in his life?
A Short Biography of DR. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
Former President of India Bharat Ratna A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, was born on 15th October 1931 in Rameswaram into a Tamilian Muslim family. His father was a ferry owner and the family income was meagre.
Kalam did odd jobs in his childhood to support his family. Kalam’s dream to pursue aeronautics was sparked during a class practical session when his class teacher took all the students to a beach to show them the dynamics of a bird’s wings when it flies. Consequently, Kalam graduated in aerospace engineering from the Madras Institute of Technology in 1955.
Popularly known as ‘Missile Man of India’, Kalam was a scientist turned politician who accelerated India’s missile and nuclear weapons programs. From 2002 to 2007, he served the country as the President of India.
He passed away on 27th July 2015 at IIM Shillong while delivering a lecture to students. His early life was challenging, filled with adversities and struggles. Kalam’s secular mindset widened his thinking and he often read the Holy Bhagvad Gita.
APJ Abdul Kalam Death Anniversary | Work At The Prestigious DRDO And ISRO
After receiving a degree in aeronautical engineering from the Madras Institute of Technology, Abdul Kalam joined the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) in 1958. He then joined the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and as project director progressed well in designing and producing the first indigenous satellite launch vehicle SLV-III.
After rejoining DRDO in 1982 Kalam successfully yielded the missile technology for India as the Chief Executive via IGMDP (Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme) and led to the development of missiles like Agni and Prithivi. For this tremendous contribution the nation presented him the sobriquet “Missile Man of India”
Established Nuclear Weapons Pokhran-II Tests
APJ Abdul Kalam Death Anniversary: Due to his vision and execution capability Kalam was appointed as a scientific adviser to the defence minister from 1992 to 1997. He was appointed to the role of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the government, with the rank of cabinet minister, from 1999 to 2001. Kalam rose to a prominent position by playing a crucial role in conducting a series of five nuclear bomb test explosions, the Pokhran-II tests at the Indian Army’s Pokhran Test Range, in May 1998.
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APJ Abdul Kalam Death Anniversary: The Author
Dr. Kalam was an excellent thinker and writer who authored several books, the most popular ones are:
- A Vision for the New Millennium
- Wings of Fire: An Autobiography
- Mission India: A Vision of Indian Youth
- Ignited Minds: Unleashing the Power within India
- Inspiring Thoughts: Quotation Series
- You Are Born To Blossom
- Scientific India: A Twenty-First Century Guide to the World around Us
- The Luminous Sparks: A Biography in Verse & Colours
Honoured with Numerous Prestigious Awards
For his tireless services to the nation, APJ Abdul Kalam was honoured with numerous prestigious awards and the highest civilian honours, the Padma Vibhushan (1990) and Bharat Ratna (1997).
Prominent Reminiscences Following APJ Abdul Kalam’s Death
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi termed Kalam’s death as a “great loss to the scientific community”, crediting him for taking India “to great heights”.
- Former President Pranab Mukherjee recollected Kalam’s warmth, humility and simple ways that made him appealing to one and all.
- Former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh reminisced the “phenomenal contributions” Kalam made to “the promotion of self-reliance in defence technologies” for the country.
BJP Nationwide Campaign on APJ Abdul Kalam Death Anniversary
BJP Minority Morcha has decided to launch a nationwide campaign on the 9th death anniversary of APJ Abdul Kalam under the leadership of national president Jamal Siddiqui. The important highlights are:
- The campaign will pay tribute to Abdul Kalam through programs organised at district levels.
- The commencement of the campaign will be with a bike rally from Kalam’s house in Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu to APJ Abdul Kalam Memorial on 27th July, 2024. A wreath will be offered to him at that time. Similar programs offering wreaths to Kalam’s statues will be organised at various districts.
- The chief guest will be the BJP National President JP Nadda.
- Medical camp and a social media camp will also be organised on the observing day.
- ‘Yuva Udhyam Award’ will also be awarded, for this 5 individuals are selected from each state. The nominations of the individuals are accepted till 6th August and results will be announced on 12th August 2024.
- All BJP Offices will organise a press conference in all states on 26th July at 11:30 am.
Famous Quotes of APJ Abdul Kalam
- “If you want to shine like a sun, first burn like a sun”
- “The country doesn’t deserve anything less than success from us. Let us aim for success”
- “Great dreams of great dreamers are always transcended”
- “Your best teacher is your last mistake”
- “A big shot is a little shot who keeps on shooting, so keep trying”
- Dreams are not those which comes while we are sleeping, but dreams are those when u don’t sleep before fulfilling them
What Pious Souls like Abdul Kalam Fail To Do?
The real purpose of human life is the ultimate liberation of the soul and this is impossible without the refuge of a Complete Saint (Tatvdarshi Sant). This core truth of human existence is the fulcrum of spiritual teachings across all ancient scriptures.
Jagatguru Tatvdarshi Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj is the sole Spiritual Guru in this world, Who fits the description and prerequisites of being Tatvdarshi Sant as described in verse 34, Chapter 4 of Holy Shrimad Bhagvad Gita.
Dr. Abdul Kalam had all qualities that a devotee should have. He excelled in the areas which he targeted and achieved the highest recognition in them. He also had no religious prejudices as despite being born as a Muslim, he embraced the teachings of the holy Bhagvad Gita in his life.
However, Abdul Kalam’s achievements did not contribute to his soul’s liberation. Pious souls like him often fail to fulfill the true purpose of their human birth and focus solely on material pursuits. They also indulge in social welfare activities, unaware that real social welfare can be achieved only through the wisdom and practices imparted by a Complete Saint.
An individual’s life, regardless of his education or status, cannot progress towards self-realisation and salvation without the guidance of a True Saint. There are many such unfortunate pious souls like Kalam, who achieve a lot from a material standpoint, but those achievements hold zero significance from a spiritual perspective.
Who Was APJ Abdul Kalam’s Guru?
Dr. Kalam referred to Swami Sivananda Saraswati as his guru in multiple interviews and in his book ‘Wings of Fire: An Autobiography’. He always credited the ‘success’ he achieved to the advice Swami Sivananda gave him.
When questioned about the reason for his sorrow by Swami Sivananda, during Kalam’s visit to Rishikesh in 1957, he shared that his failure to get selected in the Indian Airforce was the reason. Sivananda directed Kalam to the teachings of the holy Bhagvad Gita, citing Chapter 11 as a reference.
According to Sivananda, when Arjun was in a dilemma, unwilling to fight the war, Krishna took his Vishwaroopam avtar “to clarify his doubts” and advised him “to defeat the defeatest tendency”. Sivananda, in turn, advised Kalam “you should make a worry, worry. A worry shouldn’t be your master.”
What Sivananda failed to do is to decode the profound truth hidden within the pages of Chapter 11, misguiding a pious soul like Kalam. This advice impacted the naive, depressed Kalam so much that he made “giving worry to my worries” the foundation of his life; and consequently failed to worry about the real aim of a human life – Salvation.
[Source of Kalam and Sivananda’s interaction: Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s speech at Sivananda Saraswathi Sevashram]
What does Chapter 11 of the holy Gita actually say? Jagatguru Tatvdarshi Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj reveals the shocking truth in verse 32 of Chapter 11 and demystifies the myth that Krishna showed his Vishwaroopam avtar to convince Arjun. Instead, it was Kaal Brahm who manifested in his ‘Sahastrabahu’ avtar and acknowledged to Arjun that he is “Kaal”, and had appeared with the intention “to kill these warriors”. Arjun agreed to fight the war out of fear.
It is, therefore, proved in the orator’s own words that he was Kaal and not Shri Krishna, as falsely peddled by other spiritual gurus. Kaal Brahm also acknowledges himself as the “destroyer” of all the multiple universes within his domain. The ever-merciful Supreme God can never partake in any form of destruction of His souls.
What Should A Pious Soul Do In His Human Birth?
Supreme God Kabir Who resides in ‘Satlok’ comes down to this Earth and narrates His true spiritual knowledge in the form of poems and couplets to take His souls back to their home, Satlok, as documented in Mantra 18 from Sukt 96, Mandal 9, of Holy Rigved. God Kabir is the Creator and Father of every soul that exists.
Souls are bound to this world by the karmic bondage, induced by Kaal Brahm (Satan) with the help of his wife ‘Maya’ (Durga), leading to an endless cycle of birth and death. Every soul should take Naam Diksha from a Tatvdarshi Sant (Complete Saint). A Tatvdarshi Sant is the Supreme God Kabir’s trusted messenger and the only authorised entity to impart His unparalleled spiritual knowledge. The devotee is set free from all karmic bondages and sins, upon recitation of the authentic mantras (Satnam/ Sarnam), leading to complete liberation.
To return to Satlok, it is mandatory to practice the authentic worship of God Kabir as bestowed by a Tatvdarshi Sant.
Jagatguru Tatvdarshi Saint Rampal Maharaj has unveiled the ‘secret of human birth’ and ‘how to live’, in detail, in His book ‘Kabir Sagar Ka Saralarth’. Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj says that the Supreme God Kabir Saheb dwells in His eternal abode Satlok and descends on Earth on a lotus flower in the form of a child, in every Yuga.
He delivers sermons to pious souls and bestows them with His authentic worship or ‘Satbhakti’.
Learn more about Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj’s unmatched spiritual knowledge by listening to His spiritual sermons on Sadhna TV, daily, at 7.30 pm.
Alternatively, you can visit:
- Website: www.jagatgururampalji.org
- YouTube: Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj
- Facebook: Spiritual Leader Saint Rampal Ji Maharaj
- Twitter: @SaintRampalJiM
APJ Abdul Kalam Death Anniversary: FAQ
A: Every year on 27th July
A: Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Memorial
A: Yes but unfortunately he was unable to get the refuge of a Complete Saint Who could have explained to him the true spiritual knowledge of Holy Geeta ji.
A: It is the birth anniversary of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam and this day is also observed as World Students Day in India, however one should not celebrate birthdays as any kind of celebration here in the Kaal’s realm is a foolish job.
