The first anniversary of death of Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam, known as the missile man of India, was on Wenesday, July 27, 2015. A career scientist, APJ Abdul Kalam became the 11th president of India. He studied physics and aerospace engineering before becoming involved with India's satellite and missile programmes. Both programmes owes to the man's extraordinary inventiveness and organisational ability to painstakingly develop India's indigenous satellites and missiles.

India now boasts strong infrastructure for building its satellites and missiles good enough to challenge those made by frontline nations. No wonder, apart from India's successful moon mission, its foray into Mars was successful in the first attempt. Mangalayaan, the Mars Orbiter Mission has got on to an auspicious journey, which even the more advanced nations in rocket science cannot claim.

APJ Kalam's crowning legacy is that his dream of an India self-reliant in technology has come true. The country has been able to set up a solid technological foundation. Once all this was a daydream for a country languishing in poverty and with little to show in terms of high-tech. This is exactly where a few brilliant minds like Vikram Sarabhai, Satish Dhawan, Brahm Prakash and Abdul Kalam envisioned a future for home-based technological advancement in space science and defence technology.

All because, as APJ explains, there was a need for achieving this kind of capabilities for a billion-strong population in order to earn respect from the nations in the forefront of science and technology, who like to monopolise economic and political might. Those nations vehemently oppose any endeavour by other countries to achieve nuclear capabilities while they stockpile weapons of mass destruction without accountability.

It is a fact that those nations alone can enjoy liberty and sovereignty who have attained technological excellence, the patriot in him argues. Technology respects technology. Unlike pure science it does not get its nourishment from personal intellect but it is a collective effort to be advanced with a goal, an objective in mind. 

Had this national pride not guided Abdul Kalam, he probably would not have led the team of scientists to structure an expanded programme for missile development. What is most fascinating about this man is his humility and simplicity. On this count, APJ excel even his unmatched talent of a scientist cum technological precursor in India. He remained the humble soul of Rameswaram until the last day of his life. 

On the occasion of the Indian Republic Day, 1990, Kalam was awarded the Padmabibhusan, the highest civilian award in India. At that moment his mind went a decade back when he was awarded the Padmabhusan, the second highest civilian award. Like a soliloquy, he describes that the life he led then has not changed at all. "I live in a 10 by 12 feet room'. Its decoration concerned only his books, papers and a few rented articles of furniture. 

So humble is this genius of a human being that he felt hesitated to write a biography. "Wings of Fire" sees the light of day partly because of the enthusiasm and dedication of its co-author and laboratory assistant, Arun Tiwari and partly because of his own realisation that it would document the struggle India made on its way to scientific and technological self-reliance. 

The book transposes a reader into a realm that is less known to the civilians. What efforts scientists have to put in to accomplish something great is hardly realised by others. Their commitment to the cause is so deep that they forget all their material comfort and concerns. His life's journey is a record of India's progress in science and technology. Where confidence was lacking, under watchful eyes of his legendary mentors like Sarabhai, Satish Dhawan and Brahm Prakash, he carried forward the mission and sowed the seed of a strong conviction in his fellow scientists. He has expressed his indebtedness to these stalwarts in glowing terms. At the same time, he has time and again remembered his parents' contribution as well as that of his childhood inspirational friend Ahmed Jalaluddin 15 years his senior.  

A man of humble origin, he rose to the pinnacle of fame but Abul Kalam has found in all his achievements the hand of God. He has humbly confessed that God has only accomplished his mission through a mortal like him. However he believes in the immense potential God deposits in every soul. Only one has to explore it and the journey becomes easy.  The great man is ill at ease to claim that his life can be followed by others. But he says that if a boy from a poor family in a remote village can feel encouraged to aim high by the manner in which APJ's life was shaped by destiny, it will be gratifying. 

Sure enough, every step Abdul Kalam made was not a crowning success but he learnt how to accept life marked by success and failure. But what is important is his love for the people. He has told a true story of a community called scientists. His honesty and integrity is what has made this story so riveting. A man of his stature could live any kind of cosy life but he hated it. His message to the young generation is most important. 

Unperturbed by criticism, he remained honest to himself and did  not take a swipe at anyone but disliked the idea of leaving the country for success and material comfort abroad by young scholars. His life is a testament to the fact that given dedication and the fire in bosom, young men and women can take any challenge before them. In today's world, his simple life and resolution to aim high and accomplish something unique can act as a beacon for youths who, unfortunately, are otherwise misguided.

nilratanhalder2000@yahoo.com

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Source: The Financial Express