Lessons from A.P.J. Abdul Kalam's Life

What was Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam commonly known as during his presidency?

What primary lesson did Kalam learn from his father?

What incident does Kalam narrate involving a gift?

How long did Kalam's father live?

What professional role did Kalam hold before becoming president?

What was the main lesson the father taught regarding gifts?

What does Manu Smriti warn against regarding gifts?

What emotional response did the narrator have during the conflict with his father?

Which statement reflects the narrator's view on the significance of childhood lessons?

What physical response does the narrator have upon receiving a gift?

What role did the author's father hold after the panchayat elections?

What did the author witness his father do for the first time?

What was the significance of the gift left for the author's father?

How did the author and his siblings study at night?

What lesson did the author's father teach regarding accepting gifts?

What was the author's family's structure?

Why did the author shout for his mother during the incident?

What items were found in the tambalum that bothered the author's father?

What emotion did the author's father demonstrate upon receiving the gift?

When did the author's father get elected to the panchayat board?

About Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam served as the eleventh President of India from 2002 to 2007 and was affectionately known as the "People's President."
He was a prominent aeronautical engineer, contributing to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Ministry of Defence.
Recognized as the "Missile Man of India," he played a pivotal role in developing ballistic missile and space-rocket technology, leading India’s nuclear tests in 1998.
He received numerous awards, including the Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, and Bharat Ratna, and was a visiting professor at several academic institutions.

Childhood Lessons

Kalam recounts a significant childhood incident involving a gift meant for his father, which he accepted without permission while his father was praying.
This incident led to his father’s anger and a lesson on integrity and ethics: to never accept gifts without consent, emphasizing the importance of moral values.
The lesson: "Work with integrity and succeed with integrity," was instilled in Kalam by his father.

Family and Community Values

Kalam was raised in a joint family with siblings, surrounded by love and lessons from his parents.
His father's election as a panchayat board member illustrates the principle of being recognized for personal character rather than community or economic status.
Rameswaram, his hometown, had a population of about 30,000 and was described as a beautiful place.

Reflections on Gifts and Integrity

An emotional response from his father reflected the weight of integrity over materialism when he discovered the accepted gift—a costly dhoti, fruits, and sweets.
Kalam's father quoted an Islamic Hadith about divine provision and warned against taking anything beyond one's duty, particularly in public service.
He highlighted a caution from Manu Smriti regarding accepting gifts, stating that it leads to obligations that may compromise an individual's judgment and actions.

Lasting Impact

The incident left a profound impact on Kalam, affecting his life choices and ethical standards even into his later years.
The message against accepting gifts with ulterior motives remains significant as a touchstone of character and integrity throughout one’s life journey.

Explore the life and teachings of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the People's President of India. This quiz covers his achievements in aerospace engineering and significant life lessons, particularly from his childhood. Test your knowledge about his contributions and moral values.