Friday, 1 July 2016

Dilip Kumar

Dilip Kumar (born Muhammad Yusuf Khan on 11 December 1922) is an Indian film actor also known as Tragedy King,[1] and described as "the ultimate method actor" by Satyajit Ray.[2] He debuted as an actor in the film Jwar Bhata in 1944 produced byBombay Talkies. His career has spanned over six decades and with over 60 films. He starred in films of a variety of genres such as the romantic Andaz (1949), the swashbuckling Aan (1952), the dramatic Devdas (1955), the comical Azaad (1955), the historicalMughal-e-Azam (1960) and the social Ganga Jamuna (1961).

In 1976, Dilip Kumar took a five-year break from film performances and returned with a character role in the film Kranti (1981) and continued his career playing leading roles in films such as Shakti (1982), Karma (1986) and Saudagar (1991). His last film was Qila(1998).[3][4]
He is the winner of 9 Filmfare Awards and is the first recipient of Filmfare Best Actor Award (1954). He still holds the record for the most number of Filmfare awards won for that category with 8 wins. Critics acclaimed him among one of the greatest actors in the history of Hindi cinema.[5][6][7]
The Government of India honored him with the Padma Bhushan in 1991,[8] the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1994 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2015 for his contributions towards Indian cinema and nominated him to Rajya Sabha, the upper house of Indian Parliament for a term.[9] The Government of Pakistan honoured him with its highest civilian honor Nishan-e-Imtiaz in 1997.
Dilip Kumar
DilipKumar.jpg
Dilip Kumar In 2010
BornMuhammad Yusuf Khan
11 December 1922 (age 93)
PeshawarNorth-West Frontier ProvinceBritish India
ResidenceMumbaiMaharashtraIndia
NationalityIndian
OccupationFilm actor
Producer
Years active1944–1998
Spouse(s)Saira Banu (1966–present)
Asma (1979–1982)
Awards
Signature
Dilip Kumar signature

Early life[edit]

Kumar was born Yusuf Khan into a Hindko-speaking Awan[10][11] family of 12 children on 11 December 1922 at his house in the Qissa Khawani Bazaar area of Peshawar, in what is now Khyber PakhtunkhwaPakistan. His father, Lala Ghulam Sarwar, was a landlord and fruit merchant who owned orchards in Peshawar and Deolali (in Maharashtra, India). Dilip Kumar did schooling from prestigious Barnes SchoolDeolali, near Nasik.[12] In the late 1930s, his family of 12 members relocated to Mumbai.
Around 1940, while still in his teens and after an altercation with his father, Dilip Kumar left home for Pune. With the help of an Iranian cafe owner, and an elderly Anglo-Indian couple, Kumar met a canteen contractor Taj Mohammad Shah, an acquaintance of his father from Peshawar days. Without letting on his family antecedents, he got the job on the merit of his knowledge of good written and spoken English. He managed to set up a sandwich stall at the army club and when the contract ended he headed home to Bombay having saved Rs. 5000.[13] In 1942, anxious to start some venture to help out his father with household finances, he met Dr. Masani at Churchgate Station, who asked him to accompany him to Bombay Talkies, in Malad. Here he met actress Devika Rani, owner of Bombay Talkies, who asked him to sign up with the company on a pay of Rs. 1250 per year.[14] Here he met actor Ashok Kumar who was to influence his acting style telling him to act "natural". He also met Sashadhar Mukherjee, and both these people became very close to Kumar over the years. Initially, Kumar helped out in the story-writing and scripting department because of his proficiency in Urdu language. Devika Rani requested to change his name from Yousuf to Dilip Kumar, and later cast him in a lead role for the film Jwar Bhata (1944), which marked Dilip Kumar's entry into the Hindi film industry.[14]

Career[edit]

1940s[edit]

Nargis, Raj Kapoor and Dilip Kumar in a scene from the film Andaz.
Dilip Kumar's first film, Jwar Bhata (1944) went unnoticed, it was Jugnu (1947) in which he starred alongside Noor Jehan that became his first major hit at the box office. His next major hit was the 1948 film Shaheed. He got his breakthrough role with Mehboob Khan's Andaz(1949) in which he starred alongside Raj Kapoor and Nargis in a love triangle story. Shabnam also released that year was also a hit.

1950s[edit]

He went on to have success in the 1950s with playing leading roles in romantic films like Jogan (1950), Tarana (1951) Hulchul (1951)Deedar (1951), Aan (1952) Daag (1952), Uran Khatola (film) Devdas (1955), Yahudi (1958) and Madhumati (1958). He also played an anti-hero in Mehboob Khan's Amar (1954).In the films he was cast opposite Noor Jehan and Kamini Kaushal, it was female lead whose name would appear first in credits and female actress were paid more than him. These films established his screen image as the "Tragedy King". He also starred in many social drama films like Footpath (1953), Naya Daur (1957), Musafir (1957) and Paigham (1959). He was the first actor to win the Filmfare Best Actor Award for Daag and went on to win it a further seven times in his career.[15] He formed popular on-screen pairings with many of the top actresses at the time including MadhubalaVyjayanthimalaNargisNimmiMeena KumariSaroja Devi and Kamini Kaushal. In an attempt to shed his "tragedy king" image, Dilip Kumar took up his psychiatrist's suggestion that he take on lighthearted roles. In Mehboob Khan's blockbuster musical Aan(1952) he played a swashbuckling peasant in what marked his first film in technicolor. He co-starred with Devanand in Insaniyat in 1955 and with Rajkumar in Paigham in 1959. He had further success with lighter roles as a thief in Azaad (1955) and a royal prince in Kohinoor (1960)[15] In 1960 he portrayed Prince Salim in K. Asif's big-budget epichistorical film Mughal-e-Azam which as of 2008 was the second highest grossing film in Hindi film history.[16] The film told the story of Prince Salim who revolts against his father Akbar (played by Prithviraj Kapoor) and falls in love with a courtesan (played by Madhubala). The film was mostly shot in black and white, only some scenes in the latter half of the film in colour. 44 years after its original release, it was fully colourized and re-released in 2004.

1960s[edit]

Kohinoor and Mughal E Azam, both were blockbusters in 1960. In 1961, he produced and starred in Ganga Jamuna in which he starred opposite his frequent leading lady, Vyjayanthimala and his brother Nasir Khan, this was the only film he produced. In 1962 British director David Lean offered him the role of "Sherif Ali" in his film Lawrence of Arabia(1962), but Dilip Kumar declined to perform in the movie.[17] The role eventually went to Omar Sharif, the Egyptian actor. Dilip Kumar comments in his much later released autobiography, "he thought Omar Sharif had played the role far better than he himself could have".[18] His next film Leader (1964) was a below average grosser at the box office.[19] He was the co-director alongside Abdul Rashid Kardar of his next release Dil Diya Dard Liya in 1966 but was uncredited as director. The critics were of opinion that the film was slow paced and whole film was a let down and only positive point of the film was Pran's performance. In 1967 Kumar played a dual role of twins separated at birth in the hit film Ram Aur Shyam. In 1968 he starred alongside Manoj Kumar and Waheeda Rehman in Aadmi.Again when the film Sangarsh released, critics praised Sanjeev Kumar's performance and said Sanjeev outdid Dilip performance wise.In the period, 1960 to 1970, Dilip and Raj Kapoor did not enjoy as much success in films and their popularity reduced. Actors Ashok Kumar, Devanand, Pran, Rajendra Kumar continued to enjoy more success even in 1960's to 1980s in comparison to Dilip and Raj Kapoor.

1970s[edit]

His career slumped in the 1970s with films like Dastaan (1972) and Bairaag (1976), the latter in which he played triple roles failing at the box office. He starred alongside his real-life wife Saira Banu in Gopi (1970) which was success, Bengali film Sagina Mahato (1970) and Bairaag (1976) but both failed to do well at the box office.[20][21] Though his performance in Bairaag and Gopi were critically acclaimed, he lost many film offers to act in lead roles to actors Rajesh Khanna and Sanjeev Kumar from 1968-1987.He took a five-year hiatus from films from 1976 to 1981.[22]

1980s[edit]

In 1981, he returned to films with the multi-starrer Kranti which was the biggest hit of the year. Appearing alongside an ensemble cast including Manoj KumarShashi Kapoor,Hema Malini and Shatrughan Sinha, he played the title role as a revolutionary fighting for India's independence from British rule.[23] He then formed a successful collaboration with Subhash Ghai starting with Vidhaata (1982) in which he starred alongside Sanjay DuttSanjeev Kumar and Shammi Kapoor. Later that year he starred alongside the reigning superstar of the time Amitabh Bachchan in Ramesh Sippy's Shakti for which he won yet another Filmfare Award for Best Actor. In 1984 he starred in Yash Chopra's Mashaal and Ramesh Talwar's Duniya opposite Anil Kapoor and Pran-Rishi Kapoor respectively.
His second collaboration with Subhash Ghai came with the 1986 action film Karma. In this film, Kumar played a jailor who hires three men (played by Naseeruddin ShahJackie Shroff and Anil Kapoor) to help him avenge his family's death by escaped terrorist Doctor Dang (played by Anupam Kher). This was also the first film which paired him opposite veteran actress Nutan.[23]

1990s[edit]

In 1991, he starred alongside fellow veteran actor Raaj Kumar in Saudagar, his third and last film with Subhash Ghai. This was his second film with Raaj Kumar after 1959'sPaighamSaudagar was Kumar's last box office success and also his last film for several years.[24] In 1993 he won the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award. He was attached to make his directorial debut with a film titled Kalinga but the film was eventually shelved.[25]
In 1998 he made his last film appearance in Qila, where he played dual roles as an evil landowner who is murdered and his twin brother who tries to solve the mystery of his death. India Today in their review dismissed Kumar's dialogue delivery out of sync.[26]

2000s[edit]

In 2001 he was set to appear in a film titled Asar — The Impact alongside Ajay Devgan which was shelved.[27] His films Mughal-e-Azam and Naya Daur were fully colorized and re-released in 2004 and 2008 respectively.

Other career highlights[edit]

  • Kumar was very choosy, and turned down lead roles in many films which eventually were released to great box office success, including Lawrence of ArabiaPyaasa andSangam.[28][29]
  • Several of his films remain unreleased and unfinished such as JaanwarShikwa and Aag Ka Dariya.[30]
  • One of his unfulfilled wishes was he never got opportunity to star opposite Rajesh Khanna in any film.
  • During his career, Kumar was most often voiced Mukesh from 1948 to 1958 and later by Mohammed Rafi till 1976. Others who provided his voice include Talat Mahmood.In 1970s Dilip Kumar career had slumped and to cash in on popularity of Kishore Kumar, Kishore was chosen to do playback of the song "Saala Main To Saab Bangaya" and for duet Tumre Sang Toh for the film Sagina (film) (1974).
  • It is opposite actress Vyjanthimala and Kamini Kaushal, that he has the maximum box office hits.
  • He sang a song, 'Laagi nahi chhoote raama chaahe jiya jaaye' with Lata Mangeshkar in a movie 'Musafir'.

Public life[edit]

Kumar with Saira Banu in recent years
Dilip Kumar was nominated as Indian National Congress Candidate from Maharashtra State as member of Rajya Sabha, the upper house of Indian parliament for a term 03/04/2000 to 02/04/2006.[31]
He was awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke Award[32] in 1994. In 1998 he was awarded the Nishan-e-Imtiaz, the highest civilian award conferred by the government of Pakistan. He is the second Indian to receive the award. At the time of the Kargil WarShiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray demanded Dilip Kumar return his Nishan-e-Imtiaz, citing "that country's blatant aggression on Indian soil."[33] Dilip Kumar refused, saying:
"This award was given to me for the humane activities to which I have dedicated myself. I have worked for the poor, I have worked for many years to bridge the cultural and communal gaps between India and Pakistan. Politics and religion have created these boundaries. I have striven to bring the two people together in whatever way I could. Tell me, what does any of this have to do with the Kargil conflict?"[34]
Dilip Kumar launched his Twitter account and his first tweet was on his 89th birthday in 2011.[35][36]

Personal life[edit]

Dilip Kumar was first in love with the actress Kamini Kaushal, but they could not marry due to her being married to her deceased sister's husband.[37] Subsequently, he was also in love with the actress Madhubala but they had to part ways as her family was opposed to their marriage.[38][39] Vyjayanthimala, was considered by film fans as Dilip Kumar's third love; they have denied any rumours of an affair. Both of them have had many successful films as a pair in the period 1955 to 1968. He married actress Saira Banu, who was 22 years younger than him, in 1966.He married a second time in 1980 to Asma as he wanted to father a child, but the marriage ended soon after.[40] Dilip Kumar for first time in his life undertook a pilgrimage to Mecca in 2013 along with his wife Saira Banu.[41]

Illness[edit]

Around 10 September 2011 it surfaced that the health of Kumar is worsening. Some tweets mistakenly spread news of his death.[42] Later, Saira Banu made a public statement that Kumar is in good health and in high spirits. On 15 September 2013, at age of 90, Kumar suffered a silent heart attack and was subsequently admitted to Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai. He had undergone heart surgery 14 years before.[43] In December 2014 and April 2016 he was again hospitalized for pneumonia and admitted to Lilavati under ICU.[44][45]

Awards and popularity[edit]

Dilip Kumar is widely considered as one of the greatest actors in the history of Hindi cinema.[5][6][7] He holds the Guinness World Record for winning the maximum number of awards by an Indian actor.[46][47] He has received many awards throughout his career, including 8 Filmfare Best Actor awards and 19 Filmfare nominations.[48] He was honoured with the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 1993.[49]
Dilip Kumar was appointed Sheriff of Mumbai (an honorary position) in 1980,[49] the Government of India honoured Kumar with the Padma Bhushan in 1991, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1994 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2015. The Government of Andhra Pradesh honoured Kumar with NTR National Award in 1997. The Government of Pakistanconferred Kumar with Nishan-e-Imtiaz, the highest civilian award in Pakistan, in 1997. The ruling political party of Shiv Sena in Maharashtra had objected on this award and questioned Kumar's patriotism. However, in 1999 in consultation with the then Prime Minister of IndiaAtal Bihari Vajpayee, Kumar retained the award.[50] He was honored withCNN-IBN Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009.[51]

Filmography[edit]

Thursday, 30 June 2016

A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen "A. P. J.Abdul Kalam (Listeni/ˈæbdʊl kəˈlɑːm/; 15 October 1931 – 27 July 2015) was the 11th President of India from 2002 to 2007. A career scientist turned politician, Kalam was born and raised in RameswaramTamil Nadu, and studied physics and aerospace engineering. He spent the next four decades as a scientist and science administrator, mainly at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and was intimately involved in India's civilian space program and military missile development efforts.[1] He thus came to be known as the Missile Man of India for his work on the development of ballistic missile and launch vehicle technology.[2][3][4] He also played a pivotal organizational, technical, and political role in India's Pokhran-II nuclear tests in 1998, the first since the original nuclear test by India in 1974.[5]
A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
ஆ. ப. ஜெ. அப்துல் கலாம்
A. P. J. Abdul Kalam in 2008.jpg
11th President of India
In office
25 July 2002 – 25 July 2007
Prime MinisterAtal Bihari Vajpayee
Manmohan Singh
Vice PresidentKrishan Kant
Bhairon Singh Shekhawat
Preceded byK. R. Narayanan
Succeeded byPratibha Patil
Personal details
BornAvul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam
ஆவுல் பக்கிர் ஜைனுலாபுதீன் அப்துல் கலாம்

15 October 1931
Rameswaram, Ramnad District, Madras Presidency,British India
(now in Ramanathapuram DistrictTamil Nadu, India)
Died27 July 2015 (aged 83)
ShillongMeghalaya, India
Cause of deathCardiac arrest(Stroke)
NationalityIndian
Alma materSt. Joseph's College, Tiruchirappalli
Madras Institute of Technology
ProfessionProfessor
Author
Aerospace scientist
ReligionIslam
AwardsBharat Ratna Ribbon.svg Bharat Ratna 1997
IND Padma Vibhushan BAR.png Padma Vibhushan 1990
IND Padma Bhushan BAR.png Padma Bhushan 1981
Signature
Websiteabdulkalam.com

Kalam was elected as the 11th President of India in 2002 with the support of both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the then-opposition Indian National Congress. Widely referred to as the "People's President,"[6] he returned to his civilian life of education, writing and public service after a single term. He was a recipient of several prestigious awards, including the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour.
While delivering a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management Shillong, Kalam collapsed and died from an apparent cardiac arrest on 27 July 2015, aged 83.[7] Thousands including national-level dignitaries attended the funeral ceremony held in his hometown of Rameshwaram, where he was buried with full state honours.[8]

Early life and education

Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam was born on 15 October 1931 to a Tamil Muslim family in the pilgrimage centre ofRameswaram on Pamban Island, then in the Madras Presidency and now in the State of Tamil Nadu. His father Jainulabudeen was a boat owner and imam of a local mosque;[9] his mother Ashiamma was a housewife.[10][11][12][13] His father owned a ferry that tookHindu pilgrims back and forth between Rameswaram and the now uninhabited Dhanushkodi.[14][15] Kalam was the youngest of four brothers and one sister in his family.[16][17][18] His ancestors had been wealthy traders and landowners, with numerous properties and large tracts of land. Their business had involved trading groceries between the mainland and the island and to and from Sri Lanka, as well as ferrying pilgrims between the mainland and Pamban. As a result, the family acquired the title of "Mara Kalam iyakkivar" (wooden boat steerers), which over the years became shortened to "Marakier." With the opening of the Pamban Bridge to the mainland in 1914, however, the businesses failed and the family fortune and properties were lost over time, apart from the ancestral home.[19] By his early childhood, Kalam's family had become poor; at an early age, he sold newspapers to supplement his family's income.[20][20][21]
In his school years, Kalam had average grades but was described as a bright and hardworking student who had a strong desire to learn. He spent hours on his studies, especially mathematics.[21] After completing his education at the Schwartz Higher Secondary School, Ramanathapuram, Kalam went on to attend Saint Joseph's College, Tiruchirappalli, then affiliated with the University of Madras, from where he graduated in physics in 1954.[22] He moved to Madras in 1955 to study aerospace engineering in Madras Institute of Technology.[13] While Kalam was working on a senior class project, the Dean was dissatisfied with his lack of progress and threatened to revoke his scholarship unless the project was finished within the next three days. Kalam met the deadline, impressing the Dean, who later said to him, "I was putting you under stress and asking you to meet a difficult deadline".[23] He narrowly missed achieving his dream of becoming a fighter pilot, as he placed ninth in qualifiers, and only eight positions were available in the IAF.[24]

Career as a scientist

This was my first stage, in which I learnt leadership from three great teachers—DrVikram Sarabhai , Prof Satish Dhawanand Dr Brahm Prakash. This was the time of learning and acquisition of knowledge for me.
A P J Abdul Kalam[25]
After graduating from the Madras Institute of Technology in 1960, Kalam joined the Aeronautical Development Establishment of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) as a scientist. He started his career by designing a smallhovercraft, but remained unconvinced by his choice of a job at DRDO.[26] Kalam was also part of the INCOSPAR committeeworking under Vikram Sarabhai, the renowned space scientist.[13] In 1969, Kalam was transferred to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) where he was the project director of India's first Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-III) which successfully deployed the Rohini satellite in near-earth orbit in July 1980; Kalam had first started work on an expandable rocket project independently at DRDO in 1965.[1] In 1969, Kalam received the government's approval and expanded the programme to include more engineers.[25]
Kalam addresses engineering students at IIT Guwahati
In 1963–64, he visited NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, VirginiaGoddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland; andWallops Flight Facility.[11][27] Between the 1970s and 1990s, Kalam made an effort to develop the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and SLV-III projects, both of which proved to be successful.
Kalam was invited by Raja Ramanna to witness the country's first nuclear test Smiling Buddha as the representative of TBRL, even though he had not participated in its development. In the 1970s, Kalam also directed two projects, Project Devil and Project Valiant, which sought to develop ballistic missiles from the technology of the successful SLV programme.[28] Despite the disapproval of the Union Cabinet, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi allotted secret funds for these aerospace projects through her discretionary powers under Kalam's directorship.[28]Kalam played an integral role convincing the Union Cabinet to conceal the true nature of these classified aerospace projects.[28] His research and educational leadership brought him great laurels and prestige in the 1980s, which prompted the government to initiate an advanced missile programme under his directorship.[28] Kalam and Dr V S Arunachalam, metallurgist and scientific adviser to the Defence Minister, worked on the suggestion by the then Defence Minister, R. Venkataraman on a proposal for simultaneous development of a quiver of missiles instead of taking planned missiles one after another.[29] R Venkatraman was instrumental in getting the cabinet approval for allocating 388 crores for the mission, named Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) and appointed Kalam as the chief executive.[29] Kalam played a major part in developing many missiles under the mission including Agni, an intermediate range ballistic missile and Prithvi, the tactical surface-to-surface missile, although the projects have been criticised for mismanagement and cost and time overruns.[29][30]
Kalam served as the Chief Scientific Adviser to the Prime Minister and the Secretary of the Defence Research and Development Organisation from July 1992 to December 1999. The Pokhran-II nuclear tests were conducted during this period in which he played an intensive political and technological role. Kalam served as the Chief Project Coordinator, along with Rajagopala Chidambaram, during the testing phase.[11][31] Media coverage of Kalam during this period made him the country's best known nuclear scientist.[32]However, the director of the site test, K Santhanam, said that the thermonuclear bomb had been a "fizzle" and criticisied Kalam for issuing an incorrect report.[33] Both Kalam and Chidambaram dismissed the claims.[34]
In 1998, along with cardiologist Soma Raju, Kalam developed a low cost coronary stent, named the "Kalam-Raju Stent".[35][36] In 2012, the duo designed a rugged tablet computer for health care in rural areas, which was named the "Kalam-Raju Tablet".[37]

Presidency

Kalam served as the 11th President of India, succeeding K. R. Narayanan. He won the 2002 presidential election with an electoral vote of 922,884, surpassing the 107,366 votes won by Lakshmi Sahgal. His term lasted from 25 July 2002 to 25 July 2007.[38]
On 10 June 2002, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) which was in power at the time, expressed that they would nominate Kalam for the post of President,[39][40] and both the Samajwadi Party and the Nationalist Congress Party backed his candidacy.[41][42] After the Samajwadi Party announced its support for Kalam, Narayanan chose not to seek a second term in office, leaving the field clear.[43] Kalam said of the announcement of his candidature:
I am really overwhelmed. Everywhere both in Internet and in other media, I have been asked for a message. I was thinking what message I can give to the people of the country at this juncture.[44]
On 18 June, Kalam filed his nomination papers in the Indian Parliament, accompanied by Vajpayee and his senior Cabinet colleagues.[45]
Kalam along with Vladimir Putin andManmohan Singh during his presidency
The polling for the presidential election began on 15 July 2002 in Parliament and the state assemblies, with the media claiming that the election was a one-sided affair and Kalam's victory was a foregone conclusion; the count was held on 18 July.[46] Kalam became the 11th president of the Republic of India in an easy victory,[47] and moved into the Rashtrapati Bhavan after he was sworn in on 25 July.[48] Kalam was the third President of India to have been honoured with a Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour, before becoming the President. Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (1954) and Dr Zakir Hussain (1963) were the earlier recipients of Bharat Ratna who later became the President of India.[49] He was also the first scientist and the first bachelor to occupy Rashtrapati Bhawan.[50]
During his term as president, he was affectionately known as the People's President,[51][52][53] saying that signing the Office of Profit Billwas the toughest decision he had taken during his tenure.[54][55] Kalam was criticised for his inaction in deciding the fate of 20 out of the 21 mercy petitions submitted to him during his tenure.[56] Article 72 of the Constitution of India empowers the President of India to grant pardons, and suspend or commute the death sentence of convicts on death row.[56][57] Kalam acted on only one mercy plea in his five-year tenure as president, rejecting the plea of rapist Dhananjoy Chatterjee, who was later hanged.[56] Perhaps the most notable plea was from Afzal Guru, a Kashmiri terrorist who was convicted of conspiracy in the December 2001 attack on the Indian Parliament and was sentenced to death by the Supreme Court of India in 2004.[57] While the sentence was scheduled to be carried out on 20 October 2006, the pending action on his mercy plea resulted in him remaining on death row.[57] He also took the controversial decision to impose President's Rule in Bihar in 2005.[58]
In September 2003, in an interactive session in PGI Chandigarh, Kalam supported the need of Uniform Civil Code in India, keeping in view the population of the country.[59][60][61][62]
At the end of his term, on 20 June 2007, Kalam expressed his willingness to consider a second term in office provided there was certainty about his victory in the 2007 presidential election.[63] However, two days later, he decided not to contest the Presidential election again stating that he wanted to avoid involving Rashtrapati Bhavan from any political processes.[64] He did not have the support of the left parties, Shiv Sena and UPA constituents, to receive a renewed mandate.[65][66]
Nearing the expiry of the term of the 12th President Pratibha Patil on 24 July 2012, media reports in April claimed that Kalam was likely to be nominated for his second term.[67][68][69] After the reports, social networking sites witnessed a number of people supporting his candidature.[70][71] The BJP potentially backed his nomination, saying that the party would lend their support if the Trinamool Congress, Samajwadi Party and Indian National Congress proposed him for the 2012 presidential election.[72][73] A month ahead of the election, Mulayam Singh Yadav and Mamata Banerjee also expressed their support for Kalam.[74] Days afterwards, Mulayam Singh Yadav backed out, leaving Mamata Banerjee as the solitary supporter.[75] On 18 June 2012, Kalam declined to contest the 2012 presidential poll. He said of his decision not to do so:
Many, many citizens have also expressed the same wish. It only reflects their love and affection for me and the aspiration of the people. I am really overwhelmed by this support. This being their wish, I respect it. I want to thank them for the trust they have in me.[76]

Post-presidency

After leaving office, Kalam became a visiting professor at the Indian Institute of Management Shillong, the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, and the Indian Institute of Management Indore; an honorary fellow of Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore;[77] chancellor of the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology Thiruvananthapuram; professor of Aerospace Engineering at Anna University; and an adjunct at many other academic and research institutions across India. He taught information technology at theInternational Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad, and technology at Banaras Hindu University and Anna University.[78]
In May 2012, Kalam launched a programme for the youth of India called the What Can I Give Movement, with a central theme of defeating corruption.[79][80]
In 2011, Kalam was criticised by civil groups over his stand on the Koodankulam Nuclear Power Plant; he supported the establishment of the nuclear power plant and was accused of not speaking with the local people.[81] The protesters were hostile to his visit as they perceived to him to be a pro-nuclear scientist and were unimpressed by the assurances provided by him regarding the safety features of the plant.[82]

Death

Kalam at Bijnor a week before his death
On 27 July 2015, Kalam travelled to Shillong to deliver a lecture on "Creating a Livable Planet Earth" at the Indian Institute of Management Shillong. While climbing a flight of stairs, he experienced some discomfort, but was able to enter the auditorium after a brief rest.[83] At around 6:35 p.m. IST, only five minutes into his lecture, he collapsed.[84][85] He was rushed to the nearby Bethany Hospital in a critical condition; upon arrival, he lacked a pulse or any other signs of life.[84] Despite being placed in the intensive care unit, Kalam was confirmed dead of a sudden cardiac arrest at 7:45 p.m IST.[84][86][87] His last words, to his aide Srijan Pal Singh, were reportedly: "Funny guy! Are you doing well?"[88]
Following his death, Kalam's body was airlifted in an Indian Air Force helicopter from Shillong to Guwahati, from where it was flown to New Delhi on the morning of 28 July in an air force C-130J Hercules. The flight landed at Palam Air Base that afternoon and was received by the President, the Prime Minister, Chief Minister of Delhi Arvind Kejriwal, and the three service chiefs of the Indian Armed Forces, who laid wreaths on Kalam's body.[89] His body was then placed on a gun carriage draped with the Indian flag and taken to his Delhi residence at 10 Rajaji Marg; there, the public and numerous dignitaries paid homage, including former prime minister Manmohan Singh, Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Vice-President Rahul Gandhi, and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav.[90]
On the morning of 29 July, Kalam's body, wrapped in the Indian flag, was taken to Palam Air Base and flown to Madurai in an air force C-130J aircraft, arriving at Madurai Airport that afternoon. His body was received at the airport by the three service chiefs and national and state dignitaries, including cabinet ministers Manohar ParrikarVenkaiah NaiduPon Radhakrishnan and the governors of Tamil Nadu and Meghalaya, K Rosaiah and V. Shanmuganathan. After a brief ceremony, Kalam's body was flown by air force helicopter to the town of Mandapam, from where it was taken in an army truck to his hometown of Rameswaram. Upon arriving at Rameswaram, his body was displayed in an open area in front of the local bus station to allow the public to pay their final respects until 8 p.m. that evening.[91][92]
On 30 July 2015, the former President was laid to rest at Rameswaram's Pei Karumbu Ground with full state honours. Over 350,000 people attended the last rites, including the Prime Minister, the governor of Tamil Nadu and the chief ministers of Karnataka, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh.[93][94]

Reactions

Prime Minister Narendra Modi lays a wreath at Kalam's body, on arrival atPalam Air Base.
India reacted to Kalam's death with an outpouring of grief; numerous tributes were paid to the former President across the nation and on social media.[95] The Government of India declared a seven-day state mourning period as a mark of respect.[96] President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice-President Hamid Ansari, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, and other leaders condoled the former President's demise.[86]Prime Minister Narendra Modi said "[Dr. Kalam's] death is a great loss to the scientific community. He took India to great heights. He showed the way."[97] Former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, who had served as prime minister under Kalam, said, "our country has lost a great human being who made phenomenal contributions to the promotion of self reliance in defence technologies. I worked very closely with Dr. Kalam as prime minister and I greatly benefited from his advice as president of our country. His life and work will be remembered for generations to come."[98] ISRO chairman A. S. Kiran Kumar called his former colleague "a great personality and a gentleman", while former chairman G. Madhavan Nair described Kalam as "a global leader" for whom "the downtrodden and poor people were his priority. He always had a passion to convey what is in his mind to the young generation", adding that his death left a vacuum which none could fill.[99][100]
South Asian leaders expressed condolences and lauded the late statesman. The Bhutanese government ordered the country's flags to fly at half-staff to mourn Kalam's death, and lit 1000 butter lamps in homage. Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay expressed deep sadness, saying Kalam "was a leader greatly admired by all people, especially the youth of India who have referred to him as the people's President".[101] Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina described Kalam as "a rare combination of a great statesman, acclaimed scientist, and a source of inspiration to the young generation of South Asia" and termed his death an "irreparable loss to India and beyond". Bangladesh Nationalist Party chief Khaleda Zia said "as a nuclear scientist, he engaged himself in the welfare of the people". Ashraf Ghani, the President of Afghanistan, called Kalam "an inspirational figure to millions of people," noting that "we have a lot to learn from his life". Nepalese Prime Minister Sushil Koirala recalled Kalam's scientific contributions to India: "Nepal has lost a good friend and I have lost an honoured and ideal personality." The President of PakistanMamnoon Hussain, and Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif also expressed their grief and condolences on his death.[102][103][104] The President of Sri LankaMaithripala Sirisena, also expressed his condolences. "Dr. Kalam was a man of firm conviction and indomitable spirit, and I saw him as an outstanding statesman of the world. His death is an irreparable loss not only to India but to the entire world."[105] Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen and Vice-President Ahmed Adheeb condoled Kalam's death, with Yameen naming him as a close friend of the Maldives who would continue to be an inspiration to Indians and generations of South Asians. Former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who had made an official visit to India during Kalam's presidency, termed his demise as a great loss to all of humankind.[106] The Commander-in-Chief of the Myanmar Armed Forces, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, expressed condolences on behalf of the Myanmar government.[107] The Dalai Lama expressed his sadness and offered condolences and prayers, calling Kalam's death "an irreparable loss".[108]
Kathleen Wynne, the Premier of Ontario, which Kalam had visited on numerous occasions, expressed "deepest condolences ... as a respected scientist, he played a critical role in the development of the Indian space program. As a committed educator, he inspired millions of young people to achieve their very best. And as a devoted leader, he gained support both at home and abroad, becoming known as 'the people's President'. I join our Indo–Canadian families, friends, and neighbours in mourning the passing of this respected leader."[109] United States President Barack Obama extended "deepest condolences to the people of India on the passing of former Indian President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam", and highlighted his achievements as a scientist and as a statesman, notably his role in strengthening US–India relations and increasing space co-operation between the two nations. "Suitably named 'the People's President', Dr. Kalam's humility and dedication to public service served as an inspiration to millions of Indians and admirers around the world."[110] Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed sincere condolences and conveyed his sympathy and support "to the near and dear ones of the deceased leader, to the government, and entire people of India". He remarked on Kalam's outstanding "personal contribution to the social, economic, scientific, and technical progress of India and in ensuring its national security," adding that Dr. Kalam would be remembered as a "consistent exponent of closer friendly relations between our nations, who has done a lot for cementing mutually beneficial Russian–Indian cooperation."[111] Other international leaders—including former Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Vice-President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and emir of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum—also paid tribute to Kalam.[112][113] In a special gesture, Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon visited the Permanent Mission of India to the UN and signed a condolence book. "The outpouring of grief around the world is a testament of the respect and inspiration he has garnered during and after his presidency. The UN joins the people of India in sending our deepest condolences for this great statesman. May he rest in peace and eternity", Ban wrote in his message.[114]

Personal life

Kalam was the youngest of five siblings, the eldest of whom was a sister, Asim Zohra (d. 1997), followed by three elder brothers: Mohammed Muthu Meera Lebbai Maraikayar (b. 1916; aged 99), Mustafa Kamal (d. 1999) and Kasim Mohammed (d. 1995).[115] He was extremely close to his elder siblings and their extended families throughout his life, and would regularly send small sums of money to his older relations, himself remaining a lifelong bachelor.[115][116]
Kalam was noted for his integrity and his simple lifestyle.[116] He never owned a television, and was in the habit of rising at 6:30 or 7 a.m and sleeping by 2 a.m.[117] His few personal possessions included his books, his veena, some articles of clothing, a CD player and a laptop; at his death, he left no will, and his possessions went to his eldest brother, who survived him.[118][119]
In the 2011 Hindi film I Am Kalam, Kalam is portrayed as a positive influence on a poor but bright Rajasthani boy named Chhotu, who renames himself Kalam in honour of his idol.[120]

Religious and spiritual views

Religion and spirituality were very important to Kalam throughout his life.[121] In fact, he made his own spiritual journey the subject of his final book, Transcendence: My Spiritual Experiences with Pramukh Swamiji.[122][123]

Islam

A proud and practising Muslim, daily namāz and fasting during Ramadan were integral to Kalam's life.[9][124][125] His father, the imam of a mosque in his hometown of Rameswaram, had strictly instilled these Islamic customs in his children.[9] His father had also impressed upon the young Kalam the value of interfaith respect and dialogue. As Kalam recalled: "Every evening, my father A.P. Jainulabdeen, an imam, Pakshi Lakshmana Sastry, the head priest of the Ramanathaswamy Hindu temple, and a church priest used to sit with hot tea and discuss the issues concerning the island."[122][126] Such early exposure convinced Kalam that the answers to India's multitudinous issues lay in "dialogue and cooperation" among the country's religious, social, and political leaders.[124] Moreover, since Kalam believed that "respect for other faiths" was one of the key cornerstones of Islam, he was fond of saying: "For great men, religion is a way of making friends; small people make religion a fighting tool."[127]

Syncretism

One component of Kalam's widespread popularity among diverse groups in India, and an enduring aspect of his legacy, is the syncretism he embodied in appreciating various elements of the many spiritual and cultural traditions of India.[124][125][128][129] In addition to his faith in the Koran and Islamic practice, Kalam was well-versed in Hindu traditions; he learnt Sanskrit,[130][131] read the Bhagavad Gita[132][133] and he was a vegetarian.[134] Kalam also enjoyed writing Tamil poetry, playing the veena (a South Indian string instrument),[135] and listening to Carnatic devotional music every day.[125] In 2002, in one of his early speeches to Parliament after becoming President, he reiterated his desire for a more united India, stating that "[d]uring the last one year I met a number of spiritual leaders of all religions ... [and] I would like to endeavour to work for bringing about unity of minds among the divergent traditions of our country".[128] Describing Kalam as a unifier of diverse traditions, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor stated, "Kalam was a complete Indian, an embodiment of the eclecticism of India's heritage of diversity".[125] BJP leader L. K. Advani concurred that Kalam was "the best exemplar of the Idea of India, one who embodied the best of all the cultural and spiritual traditions that signify India's unity in immense diversity. This was most strikingly evident in the second-to-last book he published, presciently titled Transcendence: My Spiritual Experiences with Pramukh Swami.[129]

Pramukh Swami as Guru

Kalam's desire to meet spiritual leaders to help create a more prosperous, spiritual, and unified India was what initially led him to meet Pramukh Swami, the Hindu guru of theBAPS Swaminarayan Sampradaya, who Kalam would come to consider his ultimate spiritual teacher and guru.[122][124] The first of eight meetings between Kalam and Pramukh Swami over a fourteen-year period took place on 30 June 2001 in New Delhi, during which Kalam described being immediately drawn to Pramukh Swami's simplicity and spiritual purity.[136] Kalam stated that he was inspired by Pramukh Swami throughout their numerous interactions. One such incident occurred the day following the terrorist attack on BAPSAkshardham, Gandhinagar complex in September 2002; Pramukh Swami prayed for, and sprinkled holy water upon, the sites of all of the deceased, including the terrorists, demonstrating the view that all human life is sacred. Kalam recalled being moved by Pramukh Swami's equanimity and compassion, citing this incident as one of his motivations for writing Transcendence: My Spiritual Experiences with Pramukh Swamiji.[137] Summarizing the effect that Pramukh Swami had on him, Kalam stated that "[Pramukh Swami] has indeed transformed me. He is the ultimate stage of the spiritual ascent in my life ... Pramukh Swamiji has put me in a God-synchronous orbit. No manoeuvres are required any more, as I am placed in my final position in eternity."[124][138] Following Kalam's death a month after his final book was released, co-author Arun Tiwari pointed to this passage as potentially prophetic and premonitory of Kalam's death.[139]

Writings

A P J Abdul Kalam delivering a speech
In his book India 2020, Kalam strongly advocated an action plan to develop India into a "knowledge superpower" and a developed nationby the year 2020. He regarded his work on India's nuclear weapons programme as a way to assert India's place as a future superpower.[140]
I have identified five areas where India has a core competence for integrated action: (1) agriculture and food processing; (2) education and healthcare; (3) information and communication technology; (4) infrastructure, reliable and quality electric power, surface transport and infrastructure for all parts of the country; and (5) self-reliance in critical technologies. These five areas are closely inter-related and if advanced in a coordinated way, will lead to food, economic and national security.
Kalam describes a "transformative moment" in his life when he asked Pramukh Swami, the guru of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sampradaya, how India might realise this five-pronged vision of development.  Pramukh Swami's answer—to add a sixth area developing faith in God and spirituality to overcome the current climate of crime and corruption—became the spiritual vision for the next 15 years Kalam's life, which he describes in his final book, Transcendence: My Spiritual Experiences with Pramukh Swamiji, published just a month before his death.[136]
It was reported that there was considerable demand in South Korea for translated versions of books authored by him.[141]
Kalam took an active interest in other developments in the field of science and technology, including a research programme for developing biomedical implants. He also supported open source technology over proprietary software, predicting that the use of free software on a large scale would bring the benefits of information technology to more people.[142]
Kalam set a target of interacting with 100,000 students during the two years after his resignation from the post of scientific adviser in 1999.[21] He explained, "I feel comfortable in the company of young people, particularly high school students. Henceforth, I intend to share with them experiences, helping them to ignite their imagination and preparing them to work for a developed India for which the road map is already available." His dream is to let every student to light up the sky with victory using their latent fire in the heart[21]

Awards and honours

Kalam received 7 honorary doctorates from 40 universities.[143][144] The Government of India honoured him with the Padma Bhushan in 1981 and the Padma Vibhushan in 1990 for his work with ISRO and DRDO and his role as a scientific advisor to the Government.[145] In 1997, Kalam received India's highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, for his contribution to the scientific research and modernisation of defence technology in India.[146] In 2013, he was the recipient of the Von Braun Award from the National Space Society"to recognize excellence in the management and leadership of a space-related project".[147]
Following his death, Kalam received numerous tributes. The Tamil Nadu state government announced that his birthday, 15 October, would be observed across the state as "Youth Renaissance Day;" the state government further instituted the "Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Award," constituting an 8-gram gold medal, a certificate and ₹500,000 (US$7,400). The award will be awarded annually on Independence Day, beginning in 2015, to residents of the state with achievements in promoting scientific growth, the humanities or the welfare of students.[148]
On occasion of his birth day (2015), CBSE has given the topics on his name in the CBSE expression series.[149]
The Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi released the commemorative postal stamps on the former President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, on his 84th birth anniversary celebrations, at DRDO Bhawan, in New Delhi on October 15, 2015.

Educational and scientific institutions

Several educational and scientific institutions and other locations were renamed or named in honour of Kalam following his death.
  • An agricultural college at Kishanganj, Bihar, was renamed the "Dr. Kalam Agricultural College, Kishanganj" by the Bihar state government on the day of Kalam's funeral. The state government also announced it would name a proposed science city after Kalam.[150]
  • Uttar Pradesh Technical University (UPTU) was renamed "A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University" by the Uttar Pradesh state government.[151]
  • A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Memorial Travancore Institute of Digestive Diseases, a new research institute in Kollam city, Kerala attached to the Travancore Medical College Hospital.[152]
  • A new academic complex at Mahatma Gandhi University in Kerala.[153]
  • A new science centre and planetarium in Lawspet, Puducherry.[154]
  • India and the US have launched the Fulbright-Kalam Climate Fellowship In September 2014. The first call for applicants was announced on Friday March 12, 2016, for the fellowship which will enable up to 6 Indian PhD students and post-doctoral researchers to work with US host institutions for a period of 6–12 months. The fellowship will be operated by the binational US-India Educational Foundation (USIEF) under the Fulbright programme.[155]
  • Kerala Technological University, headquartered at Thiruvananthapuram where Kalam lived for years, was renamed to A P J Abdul Kalam Technological University after his death.

Island

Wheeler Island, a national missile test site in Odisha, was renamed Abdul Kalam Island in September 2015.[156]

Other awards and honours

Year of award or honourName of award or honourAwarding organisation
2014Doctor of ScienceEdinburgh University,UK[157]
2013Von Braun AwardNational Space Society
2012Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa)Simon Fraser University[158]
2011IEEE Honorary MembershipIEEE[159]
2010Doctor of EngineeringUniversity of Waterloo[160]
2009Honorary DoctorateOakland University[161]
2009Hoover MedalASME Foundation, USA[162]
2009International von Kármán Wings AwardCalifornia Institute of Technology, USA[163]
2008Doctor of Engineering (Honoris Causa)Nanyang Technological University, Singapore[164]
2008Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa)Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh[165][166]
2007Honorary Doctorate of Science and TechnologyCarnegie Mellon University[167]
2007King Charles II MedalRoyal Society, UK[168][169][170]
2007Honorary Doctorate of ScienceUniversity of Wolverhampton, UK[171]
2000Ramanujan AwardAlwars Research Centre, Chennai[172]
1998Veer Savarkar AwardGovernment of India[13]
1997Indira Gandhi Award for National IntegrationIndian National Congress[13][172]
1997Bharat RatnaGovernment of India[172][173]
1995Honorary FellowNational Academy of Medical Sciences,[174]
1994Distinguished FellowInstitute of Directors (India)[175]
1990Padma VibhushanGovernment of India[172][176]
1981Padma BhushanGovernment of India[172][176]



ऐ॰ पी॰ जे॰ अब्दुल कलाम

अबुल पाकिर जैनुलाबदीन अब्दुल कलाम अथवा डॉक्टर ए॰ पी॰ जे॰ अब्दुल कलाम (15 अक्टूबर 1931 - 27 जुलाई 2015) जिन्हें मिसाइल मैन औरजनता के राष्ट्रपति के नाम से जाना जाता है, भारतीय गणतंत्र के ग्यारहवें निर्वाचित राष्ट्रपति थे।[3] वे भारत के पूर्व राष्ट्रपति, जानेमाने वैज्ञानिक और अभियंताके रूप में विख्यात थे।
इन्होंने मुख्य रूप से एक वैज्ञानिक और विज्ञान के व्यवस्थापक के रूप में चार दशकों तक रक्षा अनुसंधान एवं विकास संगठन (डीआरडीओ) और भारतीय अंतरिक्ष अनुसंधान संगठन (इसरो) संभाला व भारत के नागरिक अंतरिक्ष कार्यक्रम और सैन्य मिसाइल के विकास के प्रयासों में भी शामिल रहे। इन्हें बैलेस्टिक मिसाइल और प्रक्षेपण यान प्रौद्योगिकी के विकास के कार्यों के लिए भारत में मिसाइल मैन के रूप में जाना जाने लगा।[4]
इन्होंने 1974 में भारत द्वारा पहले मूल परमाणु परीक्षण के बाद से दूसरी बार 1998 में भारत के पोखरान-द्वितीय परमाणु परीक्षण में एक निर्णायक, संगठनात्मक, तकनीकी और राजनैतिक भूमिका निभाई।[5]
कलाम सत्तारूढ़ भारतीय जनता पार्टी व विपक्षी भारतीय राष्ट्रीय कांग्रेस दोनों के समर्थन के साथ 2002 में भारत के राष्ट्रपति चुने गए। पांच वर्ष की अवधि की सेवा के बाद, वह शिक्षा, लेखन और सार्वजनिक सेवा के अपने नागरिक जीवन में लौट आए। इन्होंने भारत रत्न, भारत के सर्वोच्च नागरिक सम्मान सहित कई प्रतिष्ठित पुरस्कार प्राप्त किये।

प्रारंभिक जीवन[संपादित करें]

15 अक्टूबर 1931 को धनुषकोडी गाँव (रामेश्वरम, तमिलनाडु) में एक मध्यमवर्ग मुस्लिम परिवार में इनका जन्म हुआ।[6] इनके पिता जैनुलाब्दीन न तो ज़्यादा पढ़े-लिखे थे, न ही पैसे वाले थे।[7] इनके पिता मछुआरों को नाव किराये पर दिया करते थे। अब्दुल कलाम संयुक्त परिवार में रहते थे। परिवार की सदस्य संख्या का अनुमान इस बात से लगाया जा सकता है कि यह स्वयं पाँच भाई एवं पाँच बहन थे और घर में तीन परिवार रहा करते थे।[5] अब्दुल कलाम के जीवन पर इनके पिता का बहुत प्रभाव रहा। वे भले ही पढ़े-लिखे नहीं थे, लेकिन उनकी लगन और उनके दिए संस्कार अब्दुल कलाम के बहुत काम आए।[8][9] पाँच वर्ष की अवस्था में रामेश्वरम के पंचायत प्राथमिक विद्यालय में उनका दीक्षा-संस्कार हुआ था। उनके शिक्षक इयादुराई सोलोमन ने उनसे कहा था कि जीवन मे सफलता तथा अनुकूल परिणाम प्राप्त करने के लिए तीव्र इच्छा, आस्था, अपेक्षा इन तीन शक्तियो को भलीभाँति समझ लेना और उन पर प्रभुत्व स्थापित करना चाहिए।

ए॰ पी॰ जे॰ अब्दुल कलाम
ऐ॰ पी॰ जे॰ अब्दुल कलाम
ए॰ पी॰ जे॰ अब्दुल कलाम

भारत के 11वें राष्ट्रपति
कार्यकाल
25 जुलाई 2002 – 25 जुलाई 2007
प्रधान  मंत्रीअटल बिहारी वाजपेयी
मनमोहन सिंह
उपराष्ट्रपतिकृष्ण कान्त भैरोंसिंह शेखावत
पूर्व अधिकारीके॰ आर॰ नारायणन
उत्तराधिकारीप्रतिभा देवीसिंह पाटिल

जन्म15 अक्टूबर 1931
रामेश्वरम, रमानाथपुरम जिला, ब्रिटिश राज(मौजूदा तमिलनाडुभारत)
मृत्यु27 जुलाई 2015 (उम्र 83)[1]
शिलोंगमेघालयभारत
विद्या अर्जनसेंट जोसेफ कॉलेज, तिरुचिरापल्ली
मद्रास इंस्टीट्यूट ऑफ टेक्नोलॉजी
पेशाप्रोफेसर, लेखक, वैज्ञानिक
एयरोस्पेस इंजीनियर
धर्मइस्लाम[2]
हस्ताक्षरऐ॰ पी॰ जे॰ अब्दुल कलाम के हस्ताक्षर
वेबसाइटabdulkalam.com
अब्दुल कलाम ने अपनी आरंभिक शिक्षा जारी रखने के लिए अख़बार वितरित करने का कार्य भी किया था।[7] कलाम ने 1958 में मद्रास इंस्टीट्यूट ऑफ टेक्नोलजी से अंतरिक्ष विज्ञान में स्नातक की उपाधि प्राप्त की है। स्नातक होने के बाद उन्होंने हावरक्राफ्ट परियोजना पर काम करने के लिये भारतीय रक्षा अनुसंधान एवं विकास संस्थान में प्रवेश किया। 1962 में वे भारतीय अंतरिक्ष अनुसंधान संगठन में आये जहाँ उन्होंने सफलतापूर्वक कई उपग्रह प्रक्षेपण परियोजनाओं में अपनी भूमिका निभाई। परियोजना निदेशक के रूप में भारत के पहले स्वदेशी उपग्रह प्रक्षेपण यान एसएलवी 3 के निर्माण में महत्त्वपूर्ण भूमिका निभाई जिससे जुलाई 1982 में रोहिणी उपग्रह सफलतापूर्वक अंतरिक्ष में प्रक्षेपित किया गया था।[6][5]

वैज्ञानिक जीवन[संपादित करें]

यह मेरा पहला चरण था; जिसमें मैंने तीन महान शिक्षकों-डॉ विक्रम साराभाई, प्रोफेसर सतीश धवन और डॉ ब्रह्म प्रकाश से नेतृत्व सीखा। मेरे लिए यह सीखने और ज्ञान के अधिग्रहण के समय था।
- अब्दुल कलाम[10]
आईआईटीगुवाहाटी में अभियांत्रिकी के छात्रों को संबोधित करते अब्दुल कलाम
1962 में वे भारतीय अंतरिक्ष अनुसंधान संगठन से जुड़े। डॉक्टर अब्दुल कलाम को परियोजना महानिदेशक के रूप में भारत का पहला स्वदेशी उपग्रह (एस.एल.वी. तृतीय) प्रक्षेपास्त्र बनाने का श्रेय हासिल हुआ। 1980 में इन्होंने रोहिणी उपग्रह को पृथ्वी की कक्षा के निकट स्थापित किया था। इस प्रकार भारत भी अंतर्राष्ट्रीय अंतरिक्ष क्लब का सदस्य बन गया।[6] इसरो लॉन्च व्हीकल प्रोग्राम को परवान चढ़ाने का श्रेय भी इन्हें प्रदान किया जाता है। डॉक्टर कलाम ने स्वदेशी लक्ष्य भेदी नियंत्रित प्रक्षेपास्त्र (गाइडेड मिसाइल्स) को डिजाइन किया। इन्होंने अग्नि एवं पृथ्वी जैसे प्रक्षेपास्त्रों को स्वदेशी तकनीक से बनाया था। डॉक्टर कलाम जुलाई 1992 से दिसम्बर 1999 तक रक्षा मंत्री के विज्ञान सलाहकार तथा सुरक्षा शोध और विकास विभाग के सचिव थे।[6] उन्होंने रणनीतिक प्रक्षेपास्त्र प्रणाली का उपयोग आग्नेयास्त्रों के रूप में किया। इसी प्रकार पोखरण में दूसरी बार परमाणु परीक्षण भी परमाणु ऊर्जा के साथ मिलाकर किया। इस तरह भारत ने परमाणु हथियार के निर्माण की क्षमता प्राप्त करने में सफलता अर्जित की। डॉक्टर कलाम ने भारत के विकासस्तर को 2020 तक विज्ञान के क्षेत्र में अत्याधुनिक करने के लिए एक विशिष्ट सोच प्रदान की।[6] यह भारत सरकार के मुख्य वैज्ञानिक सलाहकार भी रहे। 1982 में वे भारतीय रक्षा अनुसंधान एवं विकास संस्थान में वापस निदेशक के तौर पर आये और उन्होंने अपना सारा ध्यान "गाइडेड मिसाइल" के विकास पर केन्द्रित किया। अग्नि मिसाइल और पृथवी मिसाइल का सफल परीक्षण का श्रेय काफी कुछ उन्हीं को है। जुलाई 1992 में वे भारतीय रक्षा मंत्रालय में वैज्ञानिक सलाहकार नियुक्त हुये। उनकी देखरेख में भारत ने 1998 में पोखरण में अपना दूसरा सफल परमाणु परीक्षण किया और परमाणु शक्ति से संपन्न राष्ट्रों की सूची में शामिल हुआ।[6]

राजनैतिक जीवन[संपादित करें]

व्लादीमिर पुतिन व मनमोहन सिंह के साथ डॉक्टर अब्दुल कलाम- 26 जनवरी 2007
डॉक्टर अब्दुल कलाम भारत के ग्यारवें राष्ट्रपति निर्वाचित हुए थे। इन्हें भारतीय जनता पार्टी समर्थित एन॰डी॰ए॰ घटक दलों ने अपना उम्मीदवार बनाया था जिसका वामदलों के अलावा समस्त दलों ने समर्थन किया। 18 जुलाई 2002 को डॉक्टर कलाम को नब्बे प्रतिशत बहुमत द्वारा भारत का राष्ट्रपति चुना गया था और इन्हें 25 जुलाई 2002 को संसद भवन के अशोक कक्ष में राष्ट्रपति पद की शपथ दिलाई गई।[11] इस संक्षिप्त समारोह में प्रधानमंत्री अटल बिहारी वाजपेयी, उनके मंत्रिमंडल के सदस्य तथा अधिकारीगण उपस्थित थे। इनका कार्याकाल 25 जुलाई 2007 को समाप्त हुआ।[6] डॉक्टर अब्दुल कलाम व्यक्तिगत ज़िन्दगी में बेहद अनुशासनप्रिय थे। यह शाकाहारी थे।[5] इन्होंने अपनी जीवनी विंग्स ऑफ़ फायर भारतीय युवाओं को मार्गदर्शन प्रदान करने वाले अंदाज में लिखी है। इनकी दूसरी पुस्तक 'गाइडिंग सोल्स- डायलॉग्स ऑफ़ द पर्पज ऑफ़ लाइफ' आत्मिक विचारों को उद्घाटित करती है इन्होंने तमिल भाषा में कविताऐं भी लिखी हैं।[6] यह भी ज्ञात हुआ है कि दक्षिणी कोरिया में इनकी पुस्तकों की काफ़ी माँग है और वहाँ इन्हें बहुत अधिक पसंद किया जाता है।
2000 वर्षों के इतिहास में भारत पर 600 वर्षों तक अन्य लोगों ने शासन किया है। यदि आप विकास चाहते हैं तो देश में शांति की स्थिति होना आवश्यक है और शांति की स्थापना शक्ति से होती है। इसी कारण प्रक्षेपास्त्रों को विकसित किया गया ताकि देश शक्ति सम्पन्न हो।
अब्दुल कलाम[11]
आई एन एस सिंधुरक्षक पर तत्कालीन भारतीय राष्ट्रपति कलाम
यूं तो डॉक्टर अब्दुल कलाम राजनीतिक क्षेत्र के व्यक्ति नहीं थे लेकिन राष्ट्रवादी सोच और राष्ट्रपति बनने के बाद भारत की कल्याण संबंधी नीतियों के कारण इन्हें कुछ हद तक राजनीतिक दृष्टि से सम्पन्न माना जा सकता है। इन्होंने अपनी पुस्तकइण्डिया 2020 में अपना दृष्टिकोण स्पष्ट किया है। यह भारत को अंतरिक्ष विज्ञान के क्षेत्र में दुनिया का सिरमौर राष्ट्र बनते देखना चाहते थे और इसके लिए इनके पास एक कार्य योजना भी थी। परमाणु हथियारों के क्षेत्र में यह भारत को सुपर पॉवर बनाने की बात सोचते रहे थे। वह विज्ञान के अन्य क्षेत्रों में भी तकनीकी विकास चाहते थे। डॉक्टर कलाम का कहना था कि 'सॉफ़्टवेयर' का क्षेत्र सभी वर्जनाओं से मुक्त होना चाहिए ताकि अधिकाधिक लोग इसकी उपयोगिता से लाभांवित हो सकें। ऐसे में सूचना तकनीक का तीव्र गति से विकास हो सकेगा। वैसे इनके विचार शांति और हथियारों को लेकर विवादास्पद हैं।[11]

राष्ट्रपति दायित्व से मुक्ति के बाद[संपादित करें]

बिजनौर में कलाम
कार्यालय छोड़ने के बाद, कलाम भारतीय प्रबंधन संस्थान शिलोंगभारतीय प्रबंधन संस्थान अहमदाबादभारतीय प्रबंधन संस्थान इंदौर व भारतीय विज्ञान संस्थान,बैंगलोर के मानद फैलो, व एक विजिटिंग प्रोफेसर बन गए।[12]भारतीय अन्तरिक्ष विज्ञान एवं प्रौद्योगिकी संस्थानतिरुवनंतपुरमके कुलाधिपति, अन्ना विश्वविद्यालय में एयरोस्पेस इंजीनियरिंग के प्रोफेसर और भारत भर में कई अन्य शैक्षणिक और अनुसंधान संस्थानों में सहायक बन गए। उन्होंनेबनारस हिंदू विश्वविद्यालय और अन्ना विश्वविद्यालय में सूचना प्रौद्योगिकी, और अंतरराष्ट्रीय सूचना प्रौद्योगिकी संस्थान हैदराबाद में सूचना प्रौद्योगिकी के क्षेत्र में पढ़ाया।[13]
मई 2012 में, कलाम ने भारत के युवाओं के लिए एक कार्यक्रम ,भ्रष्टाचार को हराने के एक केंद्रीय विषय के साथ, "मैं आंदोलन को क्या दे सकता हूँ" का शुभारंभ किया।[14]उन्होंने यहाँ तमिल कविता लिखने और वेन्नई नामक दक्षिण भारतीय स्ट्रिंग वाद्य यंत्र को बजाने का भी आनंद लिया।[15][16]
कलाम कर्नाटक भक्ति संगीत हर दिन सुनते थे और हिंदू संस्कृति में विश्वास करते थे।[17] इन्हें 2003 व 2006 में "एमटीवी यूथ आइकन ऑफ़ द इयर" के लिए नामांकित किया गया था।[18][19][20]
2011 में आई हिंदी फिल्म आई एम कलाम में, एक गरीब लेकिन उज्ज्वल बच्चे पर कलाम के सकारात्मक प्रभाव को चित्रित किया गया। उनके सम्मान में वह बच्चा छोटू जो एक राजस्थानी लड़का है खुद का नाम बदल कलाम रख लेता है।[21]2011 में, कलाम की कुडनकुलम परमाणु संयंत्र पर अपने रुख से नागरिक समूहों द्वारा आलोचना की गई। इन्होंने ऊर्जा संयंत्र की स्थापना का समर्थन किया। इन पर स्थानीय लोगों के साथ बात नहीं करने का आरोप लगाया गया।
इन्हें एक समर्थ परमाणु वैज्ञानिक होने के लिए जाना जाता है पर संयंत्र की सुरक्षा सुविधाओं के बारे में इनके द्वारा उपलब्ध कराए गए आश्वासनों से नाखुश प्रदर्शनकारी इनके प्रति शत्रुतापूर्ण थे।[22]

निधन[संपादित करें]

...मैं यह बहुत गर्वोक्ति पूर्वक तो नहीं कह सकता कि मेरा जीवन किसी के लिये आदर्श बन सकता है; लेकिन जिस तरह मेरी नियति ने आकार ग्रहण किया उससे किसी ऐसे गरीब बच्चे को सांत्वना अवश्य मिलेगी जो किसी छोटी सी जगह पर सुविधाहीन सामजिक दशाओं में रह रहा हो। शायद यह ऐसे बच्चों को उनके पिछड़ेपन और निराशा की भावनाओं से विमुक्त होने में अवश्य सहायता करे।
सूक्तियाँ - अब्दुल कलाम[23]
27 जुलाई 2015 की शाम अब्दुल कलाम भारतीय प्रबंधन संस्थान शिलोंग में 'रहने योग्य ग्रह' (en:Livable Planet) पर एक व्याख्यान दे रहे थे जब उन्हें जोरदारकार्डियक अरेस्ट (दिल का दौरा) हुआ और ये बेहोश हो कर गिर पड़े।[1][24] लगभग 6:30 बजे गंभीर हालत में इन्हें बेथानी अस्पताल में आईसीयू में ले जाया गया और दो घंटे के बाद इनकी मृत्यु की पुष्टि कर दी गई।[25][26]अस्पताल के सीईओ जॉन साइलो ने बताया कि जब कलाम को अस्पताल लाया गया तब उनकी नब्ज और ब्लड प्रेशर साथ छोड़ चुके थे। अपने निधन से लगभग 9 घण्टे पहले ही उन्होंने ट्वीट करके बताया था कि वह शिलोंग आईआईएम में लेक्चर के लिए जा रहे हैं।[27]
कलाम अक्टूबर 2015 में 84 साल के होने वाले थे। मेघालय के राज्यपाल वी॰ षडमुखनाथन; अब्दुल कलाम के हॉस्पिटल में प्रवेश की खबर सुनते ही सीधे अस्पताल में पहुँच गए। बाद में षडमुखनाथन ने बताया कि कलाम को बचाने की चिकित्सा दल की कोशिशों के बाद भी शाम 7:45 पर उनका निधन हो गया।[25][28]

अंतिम संस्कार[संपादित करें]

मृत्यु के तुरंत बाद कलाम के शरीर को भारतीय वायु सेना के हेलीकॉप्टर से शिलोंग से गुवाहाटी लाया गया। जहाँ से अगले दिन 28 जुलाई को पूर्व राष्ट्रपति एपीजे अब्दुल कलाम का पार्थि‍व शरीर मंगलवार दोपहर वायुसेना के विमान सी-130जे हरक्यूलिस से दिल्ली लाया गया। लगभग 12:15 पर विमान पालम हवाईअड्डे पर उतरा। सुरक्षा बलों ने पूरे राजकीय सम्मान के साथ कलाम के पार्थिव शरीर को विमान से उतारा।वहां प्रधानमंत्री नरेंद्र मोदी, राष्ट्रपति प्रणब मुखर्जी, दिल्ली के मुख्यमंत्री अरविन्द केजरीवाल व तीनों सेनाओं के प्रमुखों ने इसकी अगवानी की और कलाम के पार्थिव शरीर पर पुष्पहार अर्पित किये। इसके बाद तिरंगे में लिपटे डॉ. कलाम के पार्थि‍व शरीर को पूरे सम्मान के साथ, एक गन कैरिज में रख उनके आवास 10 राजाजी मार्ग पर ले जाया गया। [29] यहाँ पूर्व प्रधानमंत्री डॉ मनमोहन सिंह, कांग्रेस अध्यक्ष सोनिया गांधीराहुल गांधी और उत्तर प्रदेश के मुख्यमंत्री अखिलेश यादव सहित अनेक गणमान्य लोगों ने इन्हें श्रद्धांजलि दी। भारत सरकार ने पूर्व राष्ट्रपति के निधन के मौके पर उनके सम्मान के रूप में सात दिवसीय राजकीय शोक की घोषणा की।[30]

29 जुलाई की सुबह वायुसेना के विमान सी-130जे से भारतीय ध्वज में लिपटे कलाम के शरीर को पालम एयर बेस पर ले जाया गया जहां से इसे मदुरै भेजा गया, विमान दोपहर तक मदुरै हवाई अड्डे पर पहुंचा। उनके शरीर को तीनों सेनाओं के प्रमुखों और राष्ट्रीय व राज्य के गणमान्य व्यक्तियों, कैबिनेट मंत्री मनोहर पर्रीकरवेंकैया नायडूपॉन राधाकृष्णन; और तमिलनाडु और मेघालय के राज्यपाल के.रोसैया और वी. षडमुखनाथन ने हवाई अड्डे पर प्राप्त किया। एक संक्षिप्त समारोह के बाद कलाम के शरीर को एक वायु सेना के हेलिकॉप्टर में मंडपम भेजा गया। मंडपम से कलाम के शरीर को उनके गृह नगर रामेश्वरम एक आर्मी ट्रक में भेजा गया। अंतिम श्रद्धांजलि देने के लिए उनके शरीर को स्थानीय बस स्टेशन के सामने एक खुले क्षेत्र में प्रदर्शित किया गया ताकि जनता उन्हें आखरी श्रद्धांजलि दे सके।[31][32]
30 जुलाई 2015 को पूर्व राष्ट्रपति को पूरे सम्मान के साथ रामेश्वरम के पी करूम्बु ग्राउंड में दफ़ना दिया गया। प्रधानमंत्री मोदी, तमिलनाडु के राज्यपाल और कर्नाटककेरल और आंध्र प्रदेश के मुख्यमंत्रियों सहित 3,50,000 से अधिक लोगों ने अंतिम संस्कार में भाग लिया।[33][34]

प्रतिक्रिया[संपादित करें]

अब्दुल कलाम के निधन पर काला रिबन दिखाता गूगल का मुख्यपृष्ठ
कलाम के निधन से देश भर में और सोशल मीडिया में पूर्व राष्ट्रपति को श्रद्धांजलि देने के लिये अनेक कार्य किये गए।[35] भारत सरकार ने कलाम को सम्मान देने के लिए सात दिवसीय राजकीय शोक की घोषणा की। [36]राष्ट्रपति प्रणब मुखर्जी, उपराष्ट्रपति हामिद अंसारी, गृह मंत्री राजनाथ सिंह और अन्य नेताओं ने पूर्व राष्ट्रपति के निधन पर शोक व्यक्त किया।[37] प्रधानमंत्री नरेंद्र मोदी ने कहा, "उनका (कलाम का) निधन वैज्ञानिक समुदाय के लिए एक बड़ी क्षति है। वह भारत को महान ऊंचाइयों पर ले गए। उन्होंने हमें मार्ग दिखाया।" पूर्व प्रधानमंत्री मनमोहन सिंह जिन्होंने कलाम के साथ प्रधानमंत्री के रूप में सेवा की थी[38], ने कहा, "उनकी मृत्यु के साथ हमारे देश ने एक महान मनुष्य को खोया है जिसने, हमारे देश की रक्षा प्रौद्योगिकी में आत्मनिर्भरता को बढ़ावा देने के लिए अभूतपूर्व योगदान दिया है। मैंने प्रधानमंत्री के रूप में डॉ कलाम के साथ बहुत निकटता से काम किया है। मुझे हमारे देश के राष्ट्रपति के रूप में उनकी सलाह से लाभ हुआ। उनका जीवन और काम आने वाली पीढ़ियों तक याद किया जाएगा। "[39]
दलाई लामा ने अपनी संवेदना और प्रार्थना व्यक्त की और कलाम की मौत को "एक अपूरणीय क्षति" बुला, अपना दुख व्यक्त किया। उन्होंने यह भी कहा, "अनेक वर्षों में, मुझे कई अवसरों पर कलाम के साथ बातचीत करने का मौका मिला। वह एक महान वैज्ञानिक, शिक्षाविद और राजनेता ही नहीं, बल्कि वे एक वास्तविक सज्जन थे, और हमेशा मैंने उनकी सादगी और विनम्रता की प्रशंसा की है। मैंने सामान्य हितों के विषयों की एक विस्तृत श्रृंखला पर हमारी चर्चाओं का आनंद लिया, लेकिन विज्ञान, अध्यात्म और शिक्षा के साथ मुख्य रूप से हमारे बीच चिंतन किया जाता था।" [40]
दक्षिण एशियाई नेताओं ने अपनी संवेदना व्यक्त की और दिवंगत राजनेता की सराहना की। भूटान सरकार ने कलाम की मौत के शोक के लिए देश के झंडे को आधी ऊंचाई पर फहराने के लिए आदेश दिया, और श्रद्धांजलि में 1000 मक्खन के दीपक की भेंट किए। भूटान के प्रधानमंत्री शेरिंग तोबगे ने कलाम के प्रति अपना गहरा दुख व्यक्त करते हुए कहा, " वे एक महान नेता थे जिनकी सभी ने प्रशंसा की विशेषकर भारत के युवाओं के वे प्रशंसनीय नेता थे जिन्हें वे जनता का राष्ट्रपति बुलाते थे।"[41]
बांग्लादेश की प्रधानमंत्री शेख हसीना ने उनकी व्याख्या करते हुए कहा, "एक महान राजनेता प्रशंसित वैज्ञानिक और दक्षिण एशिया के युवा पीढ़ी के लिए प्रेरणा स्रोत के संयोग" उन्होंने कलाम की मृत्यु को "भारत के लिए अपूरणीय क्षति से भी परे बताया।" उन्होंने यह भी कहा कि भारत के सबसे प्रसिद्ध बेटे, पूर्व राष्ट्रपति के निधन पर हमें गहरा झटका लगा है। डॉ ए पी जे अब्दुल कलाम अपने समय के सबसे महान ज्ञानियों में से एक थे। वह बांग्लादेश में भी बहुत सम्मानित थे। उनकी विज्ञान और प्रौद्योगिकी के क्षेत्र में भारत की वृद्धि करने के लिए अमूल्य योगदान के लिए वे सभी के द्वारा हमेशा याद किये जायेंगे। वे दक्षिण एशिया की युवा पीढ़ी के लिए प्रेरणा का स्रोत थे जो उनके सपनों को पंख देते थे।" बांग्लादेश नेशनलिस्ट पार्टी की प्रमुख खालिदा जिया ने कहा,"एक परमाणु वैज्ञानिक के रूप में, उन्होंने लोगों के कल्याण में स्वयं को समर्पित किया।"अफगानिस्तान के राष्ट्रपति अशरफ गनी, ने कलाम को, "लाखों लोगों के लिए एक प्रेरणादायक शख्सियत बताया" ये नोट करते हुए "हमे अपने जीवन से बहुत कुछ सीखना है।" नेपाली प्रधानमंत्री सुशील कोइराला नेभारत के लिए कलाम के वैज्ञानिक योगदानों को याद किया। "नेपाल ने एक अच्छा दोस्त खो दिया है और मैंने एक सम्मानित और आदर्श व्यक्तित्व को खो दिया है।" पाकिस्तान के राष्ट्रपति , ममनून हुसैन और पाकिस्तान के प्रधानमंत्री नवाज शरीफ ने पूर्व राष्ट्रपति के निधन पर उनके प्रति दु: ख, शोक व संवेदना व्यक्त की। [42][43][44]
श्रीलंका के राष्ट्रपति मैत्रिपाला सिरिसेना ने कहा, "डॉ कलाम दृढ़ विश्वास और अदम्य भावना के आदमी थे। मैंने उन्हें दुनिया के एक उत्कृष्ट राजनेता के रूप में देखा था । उनकी मौत भारत के लिए, बल्कि पूरी दुनिया के लिए अपूरणीय क्षति है।"[45]
इंडोनेशियाई राष्ट्रपति सुसीलो बम्बनग युधोयोनो, मलेशिया के प्रधानमंत्री नजीब रजाकसिंगापुर के प्रधानमंत्री ली सियन लूंग , संयुक्त अरब अमीरात के राष्ट्रपति शेख खलीफा बिन जायद अल नहयान सहित अन्य अंतरराष्ट्रीय नेताओं, , और संयुक्त अरब अमीरात के प्रधानमंत्री और दुबई के शासक ने भी कलाम को श्रद्धांजलि अर्पित की।[46][47] रूसी राष्ट्रपति व्लादिमीर पुतिन ने भारत सरकार, भारत के सभी लोगों के लिए और मृतक नेता ले प्रियजनों के लिए अपनी गंभीर संवेदना व्यक्त की और अपनी सहानुभूति और समर्थन से अवगत कराते हुए कहा, "डॉ कलाम को हमारे देशों के बीच लगातार मैत्रीपूर्ण संबंधों के एक प्रतिपादक के रूप में याद किया जाएगा, उन्होंने भारत की राष्ट्रीय सुरक्षा को सुनिश्चित करने में सामाजिक, आर्थिक, वैज्ञानिक और तकनीकी प्रगति के लिए व्यक्तिगत योगदान दिया। उन्होंने पारस्परिक रूप से लाभप्रद रूसी-भारतीय सहयोग जोड़ने के लिए बहुत कुछ किया।"[48]
संयुक्त राज्य अमेरिका के राष्ट्रपति बराक ओबामा ने कहा,"अमेरिकी लोगों की ओर से, मैं पूर्व भारतीय राष्ट्रपति डॉ ए पी जे अब्दुल कलाम के निधन पर भारत के लोगों के लिए अपनी गहरी संवेदना का विस्तार करना चाहता हूँ। एक वैज्ञानिक और राजनेता, डॉ कलाम ने अपनी विनम्रता से घर में और विदेशों में सम्मान कमाया और भारत के सबसे महान नेताओं में से एक बने। भारत-अमेरिका के मजबूत संबंधों के लिए, डा कलाम ने सदा वकालत की। 1962 में संयुक्त राज्य अमेरिका की यात्रा के दौरान नासा के साथ अंतरिक्ष सहयोग को गहरा करने के लिए काम किया। भारत के 11 वें राष्ट्रपति के रूप में इनके कार्यकाल के दौरान अमेरिका-भारत संबंधों में अभूतपूर्व वृद्धि देखी गई। उपयुक्त रूप से नामित "पीपुल्स प्रेसिडेंट" (जनता के राष्ट्रपति) ने सार्वजनिक सेवा, विनम्रता और समर्पण से दुनिया भर के लाखों भारतीयों और प्रशंसकों को एक प्रेरणा प्रदान की।" [49]

व्यक्तिगत जीवन[संपादित करें]

डॉक्टर कलाम अपने व्यक्तिगत जीवन में पूरी तरह अनुशासन का पालन करने वालों में से थे। ऐसा कहा जाता है कि वे क़ुरान और भगवद् गीता दोनों का अध्ययन करते थे।[5] कलाम ने कई स्थानों पर उल्लेख किया है कि वे तिरुक्कुरल का भी अनुसरण करते हैं, उनके भाषणों में कम से कम एक कुरल का उल्लेख अवश्य रहता था।[5] राजनीतिक स्तर पर कलाम की चाहत थी कि अंतर्राष्ट्रीय स्तर पर भारत की भूमिका विस्तार हो और भारत ज्यादा से ज्याद महत्त्वपूर्ण भूमिका निभाये। भारत को महाशक्ति बनने की दिशा में कदम बढाते देखना उनकी दिली चाहत थी। उन्होंने कई प्रेरणास्पद पुस्तकों की भी रचना की थी और वे तकनीक को भारत के जनसाधारण तक पहुँचाने की हमेशा वक़ालत करते रहे थी। बच्चों और युवाओं के बीच डाक्टर क़लाम अत्यधिक लोकप्रिय थे। वह भारतीय अन्तरिक्ष विज्ञान एवं प्रौद्योगिकी संस्थान के कुलपति भी थे।

किताबें[संपादित करें]

डॉक्टर कलाम ने साहित्यिक रूप से भी अपने विचारों को चार पुस्तकों में समाहित किया है, जो इस प्रकार हैं: 'इण्डिया 2020 ए विज़न फ़ॉर द न्यू मिलेनियम', 'माई जर्नी' तथा 'इग्नाटिड माइंड्स- अनलीशिंग द पॉवर विदिन इंडिया'।[5] इन पुस्तकों का कई भारतीय तथा विदेशी भाषाओं में अनुवाद हो चुका है। इस प्रकार यह भारत के एक विशिष्ट वैज्ञानिक थे, जिन्हें 40 से अधिक विश्वविद्यालयों और संस्थानों से डॉक्टरेट की मानद उपाधि प्राप्त हो चुकी है।
"सबसे उत्तम कार्य क्या होता है? किसी इंसान के दिल को खुश करना, किसी भूखे को खाना देना, जरूरतमंद की मदद करना, किसी दुखियारे का दुख हल्का करना और किसी घायल की सेवा करना..."
-अब्दुल कलाम[50]
कलाम साहब की प्रमुख पुस्तकें निम्नवत हैं:[51]

चिंतनपरक रचनायें[संपादित करें]

  • इग्नाइटेड माइंडस: अनलीशिंग द पावर विदीन इंडिया : (पेंग्विन बुक्स, 2003) ISBN 0-14-302982-7
  • इंडिया- माय-ड्रीम : (एक्सेल बुक्स, 2004) ISBN 81-7446-350-X
  • एनविजनिंग अन एमपावर्ड नेशन: टेक्नालजी फार सोसायटल ट्रांसफारमेशन : (टाटा मैक्ग्राहिल प्रकाशन, 2004) ISBN 0-07-053154-4

आत्मकथात्मक रचनायें[संपादित करें]

    • विंग्स ऑफ फायर: एन आटोबायोग्राफी ऑफ एपीजे अब्दुल कलाम : सह लेखक - अरुण तिवारी, (ओरियेंट लांगमैन, 1999) ISBN 81-7371-146-1
    • साइंटिस्ट टू प्रेसिडेंट : (ज्ञान पब्लिशिंग हाउस, 2003) ISBN 81-212-0807-6

जीवनी[संपादित करें]

अन्य लेखकों द्वारा डॉक्टर कलाम की जीवनी अथवा जीवन के विविध पहलुओं पर पुस्तके लिखी गयीं हैं जिनमें कुछ प्रमुख निम्नवत हैं:
  • इटरनल क्वेस्ट: लाइफ ऐंड टाइम्स ऑफ डाक्टर अवुल पकिर जैनुलाआबदीन अब्दुल कलाम एस चंद्रा कृत - (पेंटागन पब्लिशर्स, 2002) ISBN 81-86830-55-3
  • प्रेसिडेंट एपीजे अब्दुल कलाम आर॰ के॰ पूर्ति - (अनमोल पब्लिकेशन्स, 2002) ISBN 81-261-1344-8
  • ए॰ पी॰ जे॰ अब्दुल कलाम: द विजनरी ऑफ इंडिया' के॰ भूषण एवं जी॰ कात्याल - (एपीएच पब्लिशिंग कार्पोरेशन, 2002) ISBN 81-7648-380-X

पुरस्कार एवं सम्मान[संपादित करें]

डॉक्टर कलाम के 79 वें जन्मदिन को संयुक्त राष्ट्र द्वारा विश्व विद्यार्थी दिवस के रूप में मनाया गया था।[52] इसके आलावा उन्हें लगभग चालीस विश्वविद्यालयों द्वारा मानद डॉक्टरेट की उपाधियाँ प्रदान की गयी थीं[53][54] भारत सरकार द्वारा उन्हें 1981 में पद्म भूषण और 1990 में पद्म विभूषण का सम्मान प्रदान किया गया जो उनके द्वारा इसरो और डी आर डी ओ में कार्यों के दौरान वैज्ञानिक उपलब्धियों के लिये तथा भारत सरकार के वैज्ञानिक सलाहकार के रूप में कार्य हेतु प्रदान किया गया था[55]
1997 में कलाम साहब को भारत का सर्वोच्च नागरिक सम्मान भारत रत्न प्रदान किया गया जो उनके वैज्ञानिक अनुसंधानों और भारत में तकनीकी के विकास में अभूतपूर्व योगदान हेतु दिया गया था[56]
वर्ष 2005 में स्विट्ज़रलैंड की सरकार ने डॉक्टर कलाम के स्विट्ज़रलैंड आगमन के उपलक्ष्य में 26 मई को विज्ञान दिवस घोषित किया।[57] नेशनल स्पेस सोशायटी ने वर्ष 2013 में उन्हें अंतरिक्ष विज्ञान सम्बंधित परियोजनाओं के कुशल संचलन और प्रबंधन के लिये वॉन ब्राउन अवार्ड से पुरस्कृत किया।[58]
सम्मान का वर्षसम्मान/पुरस्कार का नामप्रदाता संस्था
2014डॉक्टर ऑफ़ साइन्सएडिनबर्ग विश्वविद्यालययूनाइटेड किंगडम[59]
2012डॉक्टर ऑफ़ लॉज़ (मानद उपाधि)साइमन फ़्रेज़र विश्वविद्यालय[60]
2011आइ॰ई॰ई॰ई॰ मानद सदस्यताआइ॰ई॰ई॰ई॰[61]
2010डॉक्टर ऑफ इन्जीनियरिंगयूनिवर्सिटी ऑफ़ वाटरलू[62]
2009मानद डॉक्टरेटऑकलैंड विश्वविद्यालय[63]
2009हूवर मेडलए॰एस॰एम॰ई॰ फाउण्डेशन, (सं॰रा॰अमे॰)[64]
2009वॉन कार्मन विंग्स अन्तर्राष्ट्रीय अवार्डकैलिफोर्निया इंस्टीट्यूट ऑफ टेक्नोलॉजी, (सं॰रा॰अमे॰)[65]
2008डॉक्टर ऑफ इन्जीनियरिंग (मानद उपाधि)नानयांग टेक्नोलॉजिकल विश्वविद्यालय, सिंगापुर[66]
2008डॉक्टर ऑफ साइन्स (मानद उपाधि)अलीगढ़ मुस्लिम विश्वविद्यालय, अलीगढ़[67]
2007डॉक्टर ऑफ साइन्स एण्ड टेक्नोलॉजी की मानद उपाधिकार्नेगी मेलन विश्वविद्यालय[68]
2007किंग चार्ल्स II मेडलरॉयल सोसायटी, यूनाइटेड किंगडम[69][70]
2007डॉक्टर ऑफ साइन्स की मानद उपाधिवूल्वरहैंप्टन विश्वविद्यालय, यूनाईटेड किंगडम[71]
2000रामानुजन पुरस्कारअल्वार्स शोध संस्थान, चेन्नई[72]
1998वीर सावरकर पुरस्कारभारत सरकार[73]
1997इंदिरा गाँधी राष्ट्रीय एकता पुरस्कारभारतीय राष्ट्रीय काँग्रेस[73][72]
1997भारत रत्नभारत सरकार[6][72][74]
1994विशिष्ट शोधार्थीइंस्टीट्यूट ऑफ़ डायरेक्टर्स (इण्डिया)[75]
1990पद्म विभूषणभारत सरकार[72][6][76]
1981पद्म भूषणभारत सरकार[72][6][76]