Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Quotes

Inspiring Lives
The basis of all systems, social or political, rests upon the goodness of men. No nation is great or good because parliament enacts this or that, but that its men are great and good.
-A P J Abdul Kalam

Everyone’s life is a page in the human history irrespective of the position he or she holds or the work he or she performs
-A P J Abdul Kalam

When I look at Dr Sarabhai’s one-page vision statement now and see the results it has created, I am overwhelmed
-A P J Abdul Kalam

When a mission is in progress, there will always be some problems or failures, but the failures should not become the master of the programme
-A P J Abdul Kalam

Transformation is the outcome of a farsighted vision, innovative mind and guiding spirit
-A P J Abdul Kalam

She was inspired and motivated by seeing somebody who just goes all out to do something
-A P J Abdul Kalam

Teachers

Give me a child for seven years, afterwards, let the God or the devil take the child, they cannot change the child.
-A P J Abdul Kalam

I believe there is no other profession in the world that is more important to society than that of a teacher
-A P J Abdul Kalam

Teachers are the backbone of any country, the pillar upon which all aspirations are converted into realities
-A P J Abdul Kalam

Learning needs freedom to think and freedom to imagine, and both have to be facilitated by the teacher
-A P J Abdul Kalam

A good teacher, with meticulous planning, prepares himself for teaching and the student for acquisition of knowledge
-A P J Abdul Kalam

Teachers have a great mission to ignite the minds of the young
-A P J Abdul Kalam

Teachers should be the best minds in the country
-A P J Abdul Kalam

A teacher has to create a lifelong autonomous learner
-A P J Abdul Kalam

The role of the teacher is like the proverbial ‘ladder’, it is used by everyone to climb up in life, but the ladder itself stays in its place
-A P J Abdul Kalam

A teacher’s life lights many lamps
-A P J Abdul Kalam

Teachers must be perpetual seekers of intellectual integrity and universal compassion
-A P J Abdul Kalam

The purpose of teaching is to create nation building capacities in students
-A P J Abdul Kalam

Misson Of Education
When learning is purposeful, creativity blossoms,
When creativity blossoms, thinking emanates,
When thinking emanates, knowledge is fully lit,
When knowledge is lit, economy flourishes.
-A P J Abdul Kalam

Education is an endless journey through knowledge and enlightenment
-A P J Abdul Kalam

Focus of the education system should be to train students to become autonomous learners
-A P J Abdul Kalam

Can we make an education system which will retain the smiles on the faces of our children?
-A P J Abdul Kalam

Schools must provide mission oriented learning with value system
-A P J Abdul Kalam

For parents and teachers, home and school campus must have an integrated mission
-A P J Abdul Kalam

Education should be imparted with a view to the type of society that we wish to build
-A P J Abdul Kalam

Schools must move from being educational centres to becoming knowledge and skill centres
-A P J Abdul Kalam

The 21st century is about the management of all the knowledge and information we have generated and the value addition that we can bring to it
-A P J Abdul Kalam

Real education enhances the dignity of a human being and increases his or her self-respect
-A P J Abdul Kalam

The education system has a tremendous responsibility to transform a child into a leader - the transformation from ‘What can you do for me’ to ‘What can I do for you?’
-A P J Abdul Kalam

The most important part of education is to inculcate in the students the spirit of ‘We can do it’
-A P J Abdul Kalam

Creativity And Innovation
An ignited mind is the most powerful resource on earth, above the earth and under the earth.
-A P J Abdul Kalam

Creativity and imagination of the human mind would always be superior to any computer
-A P J Abdul Kalam

Every mind is creative, every mind is inquisitive
-A P J Abdul Kalam

Creativity is seeing the same thing as everybody else, but thinking of something different
-A P J Abdul Kalam

Beautiful minds are the source of creativity-A P J Abdul Kalam

The whole universe is friendly to us and conspires to give the best to those who dream and work
-A P J Abdul Kalam

With determined efforts you can always succeed against established beliefs
-A P J Abdul Kalam

It is through the process of innovation that knowledge is converted into wealth
-A P J Abdul Kalam

The national innovative capacity is a country’s critical potential to reinforce both its political and economic entity
-A P J Abdul Kalam

In the new digital economy information that is circulated creates innovations and contributes to national wealth
-A P J Abdul Kalam

Art And Literature
Art is a benign expression of the inner beauty in nature. Be it a cartoon, sculpture or literary composition, it elevates the beautiful spirit of life for everyone to see and enjoy. Such a spirit silently but eloquently conveys the message of love, humour, affection and peace. . .
-A P J Abdul Kalam

Art helps to bring out the beauty of life in its noblest forms, imparting meaning and depth to human existence, justifying and vindicating the purpose for which life was evolved
-A P J Abdul Kalam

    It is the privilege of authors that they can help mankind endure adversities and succeed in life
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

Authors act as conscience keepers of the society
-A P J Abdul Kalam

Give one hour a day exclusively for book reading and you will become a knowledge centre in a few years
-A P J Abdul Kalam

Music and dance can be used as an instrument for ensuring global peace and act as a binding force
-A P J Abdul Kalam

The crowning glory of a nation is its thinkers
-A P J Abdul Kalam

Music is a great communication and language can never be a barrier
-A P J Abdul Kalam

Every painter and artist is a unique personality in search of beauty out of every event which enriches him
-A P J Abdul Kalam

Abiding Values
See the flower, how generously it distributes perfume and honey. It gives to all, gives freely of its love and, when its work is done, it falls away quietly. Try to be like the flower, unassuming despite all its qualities
-A P J Abdul Kalam

    The right kind of education on moral values will upgrade the society and the country
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    From the emperor down to the common man, the cultivation of the righteous life is the foundation for all
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    The three key societal members who can make a difference are father, mother and teacher
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    Once taught the children become conscience keepers
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    Conscience is the divine light of the soul
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    Conscience is a great ledger where our offences are booked and registered
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    Corruption is an assault on the conscience
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    What matters in this life more than winning for ourselves is helping others win
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    Think ever of rising higher, let it be your only thought
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    Science is the best boon that God has bestowed upon mankind. Science with reasoning becomes the capital of society. . . The convergence of science and technology with spirituality is touted to be the future for both science and technology, and spirituality
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    Science and spiritualism seek the same divine blessings for doing good for the people
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    Science tries to provide solutions for a better material life, while spiritualism looks at answers on how to lead a righteous life
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    In whatever field we work, we have to remain in the service of the common man whose well being is central to all human knowledge and endeavour
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    Science is all about asking questions and finding the right answers through hard work and research into laws of nature
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    Science and science pursuits are borderless
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    The science that we work with today must have the innovativeness, foresight and the vision for it to be the centre of technology that we develop tomorrow
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    Religions are enchanting islands, veritable oases for the soul and the spirit
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    If we can connect all the islands of religions with love and compassion in a ‘garland’, we will have a prosperous India
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    Enlightened spiritual and scientific leaders all converge towards giving reverence to human life
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

Tomorrow’s Citizens

    If India is to become developed by 2020, it will do so only by riding on the shoulders of the young
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    Encompassing the needs, rights and expectations of youth to the centrestage of development should be our priority
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    Though the present academic system may give students a lot of workload, but it should not prevent them from dreaming
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    The ‘dream-thought-action’ philosophy is what I would like to be inculcated in each and every student
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    The young population of India must have a big aim, small aim is a crime
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    It is not a disgrace to not reach the stars, but it is a disgrace to have no stars to reach for
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    At the frontier there are no borders
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    The young people are looking for challenging missions, good role models and leaders who can be their guiding spirit
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    When women are empowered, a society with stability is assured. Gone are the days when women were considered subservient or secondary in almost all walks of life compared to men. It has now amply been proved that women are capable of executing any job as efficiently as men, if not more so.
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    India has a long tradition of giving equal opportunity to women to excel in every field
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    Women are shining in every field
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    Every organisation has to be made aware that there is no difference between men and women
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    Women are equal partners in national development
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

Towards A Knowledge Society

    Knowledge has always been the prime mover of prosperity and power. The acquisition of knowledge has therefore been the thrust area throughout the world and sharing the experience of knowledge is a unique culture of our country
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    Ancient knowledge is a unique resource of our country and it is essential to leverage it both for our national well being and to mark our global presence
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    In the 21st century a new society is emerging where knowledge is the primary production resource instead of capital and labour
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    Information that is static is of no value
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    Blended knowledge is better knowledge
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    Bandwidth is the demolisher of imbalances and a great leveller in the knowledge society
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    A digital library provides equitable access to knowledge to all the people, irrespective of place, caste,creed, colour or economic status.
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    A digital library unites rather than divides
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    Digital library is where the past meets the present and creates a future
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

Building A Developed India

    We should all create a nation that is one of the best places to live in on this earth and which brings smiles to a billion faces
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    Our sweat will transform developing India into a Developed India
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    Any country is as good as its citizens; their values and their character will be reflected in the country’s make-up
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    A vast pool of human resources with a large proportion of a young population is a unique strength of our nation
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    The precious asset of a company or a country is the skill, ingenuity and imagination of its people
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    Repeating what we did before for several decades with more of the same may not be the way to proceed further
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    All of us need to think and realise that the nation is greater than any one individual or organisation
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    We have to collectively inculcate a positive attitude of what we can do for our country so that together we will be able to benefit ourselves
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    We have a right and responsibility to leave a positive legacy to the posterity for which me all will be remembered
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

Enlightened Citizenship

    Enlightened citizenship has three components: education with value system, religion transforming into spiritual force, and creating economic prosperity through development
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    Reverence for life is indeed possible if a philosophical thought of reverence can be transformed into actions by empowering the various components of society
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    All of us have to work hard and do everything possible to make our behaviour civilized to protect the rights of every individual
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    Only when each and every citizen has been empowered so that he can lead a fulfilled life with dignity, will there be national peace and prosperity
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    The vision of a new world body has to be facilitating the evolution of enlightenzed citizens on the planet
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    I belong to no nation, no civilisation, no society, no race, but to the Divine. I obey no master, no ruler, no law, no social convention, but the Divine
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    Creative leadership is exercising the task to change the traditional role from commander to coach,from manager to mentor, from director to delegator and from one who demands respect to one who facilitates self-respect
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    Quality leaders are like magnets, they attract the best people
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    A leader is one who thinks what he can give to others instead of asking what others can do for him
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    A leader gives the credit for success to those who worked for it and absorbs the failures
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    If you aspire to achieve great things in life you need magnanimity
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    A great mind and a great heart go together
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    The higher the proportion of creative leaders in a nation, higher the potential of success of visions like “Developed India”
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    Enlightened leadership is all about empowerment
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    When a leader empowers the people, such leaders are created who can change the course of the nation itself
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

Indomitable Spirit

    We need a spirit of victory, a spirit that will carry us to our rightful place under the sun, a spirit which will recognise that we, as inheritors of a proud civilisation, are entitledto a rightful place on this planet. If that indomitable spirit were to arise, nothing can hold us from achieving our rightful destiny
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    A vision leading to higher goals of achievement is the first component of indomitable spirit
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    The second component of indomitable spirit is the ability to overcome all burdles coming in the way of mission accomplishment
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    Power comes from inside
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    You will be remembered for creating that page in the history of the nation
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    You have to evolve yourself and shape your life
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

    Perception of disability lies in the mind
    -A P J Abdul Kalam

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