DR. APJ Abdul Kalam - Remembering him on his 2nd death anniversary on 27th July 2017

The following is the speech delivered by V. M. Khaleelur Rahman at the condolence meeting organised by Ambur Muslim Educational Society at Ambur Trade Centre on 10th August 2015:

In the name of Allah, the beneficent, the merciful

Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam was a great scientist and spiritual technocrat par excellence. We all know his contribution to the country is immense. He was a great person comparable with none. He was the people’s President when he was in office and even afterwards.

What was the secret of his popularity? 

When you speak, speak the truth, perform when you promise, discharge your trust…withhold your hands from striking and from taking that which is unlawful and bad…

Gladden the heart of a human being, feed the hungry, help the afflicted, lighten the sorrow of the sorrowful…….

Dr. Kalam practised the above noble principles of the Prophet (sal-am) in his life and became the darling of the masses.

He strongly believed that all God’s creatures are His family and he is the most beloved of God who tries to do most good to God’s creatures….

His advice to students was:

Dream, Dream, Dream,

Dreams transform into thoughts,

And thoughts result in action.

When Dr. Kalam talked of dreaming, he meant that youngsters should set themselves a goal. He believed that if one firmly believes in something and makes efforts in a focused way, then one can realize his dreams. “Dreams……….is not what we see in sleep but it is the thing which does not let us sleep”. In other words Dr. Kalam wished that youngsters should aim big and work for the country’s transformation.

Why was he so popular with the children? It is because unlike other VIPs he was accessible and made the children feel important. He was never in a hurry to finish the meeting and run away. He encouraged children to ask questions and patiently answered them.

We must be proud that we had Dr. Kalam in our midst in Ambur itself. A delegation led by Mecca Rafeeque Ahmed saheb met Dr. Abdul Kalam in New Delhi when he was the President and invited him to inaugurate the Centenary celebrations of Ambur Muslim Educational Society. He magnanimously accepted it, came to Ambur and inaugurated it on 4th September 2006. That day is green in our memory. The whole of Ambur wore a festive look and the people were so excited and happy.

Dr. A.P. J. Abdul Kalam’s inaugural address impressed everyone. His question-answer session with children was thought provoking and full of encouragement to students. He was determined to mould the minds of the students to work hard to make India a developed nation by 2020.

He strongly believed that it is education which can change ones destiny for the better and make our country a progressive and prosperous one. He considered teaching as the noblest profession.

He was a scientist and a devout Muslim. He was pious in the real sense and got inspiration from the holy Quran. It is said that he never missed his fajr namaz.

Dr. Abdul Kalam will always be remembered for his role as an excellent scientist, as a people’s president, as a good writer and orator and most importantly as a humble and genuine human being.

It is heartening to know that the AMES is thinking of starting a Centre by name Dr. Kalam Vision Foundation in his memory to encourage students to emulate his example and come up in life with flying colours.

Dr. Kalam is not with us now but his shining example will always influence us.

Thank you,