The assignment which Dr A P J Abdul Kalam could not give to IIM Shillong students
Working tirelessly even on his last day, Dr Kalam had planned a surprise assignment for the students on finding ways to end disruption in Parliament.
By PTI | Updated:
KOLKATA: Working tirelessly even on his last day, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam had planned a surprise assignment for the students of IIM Shillong on finding innovative ways to end disruption in Parliament.
Kalam's close aide Srijan Pal Singh, who was with him on his last day, said while travelling from Delhi to Shillong they were discussing about disruptions in Parliament.
"He was very worried and said he had seen the tenures of many governments but disruption keeps on happening every time. He had told me to prepare a surprise assignment question for the students which would be given to them at the end of the lecture," Singh, who co-authored two books with Kalam, told PTI from Shillong.
He said the former President wanted students to come up with three innovative ideas to make Parliament more productive and vibrant.
"We had also decided to include this topic of disruptions in Parliament into our next book 'Advantage India' which would be released in September-October. I'll do that now before the book comes into the market," the IIM Ahmedabad alumnus said.
When asked about Kalam's last wish, he said Kalam always wanted a billion smiles on a billion faces in the country.
"He wanted rural India to develop and also he kept on talking about youth empowerment. Now his ideas are more alive as the man who was leading it from the front is no more," he said.
The only regret the 'Missile Man' had in his life was not being able to provide facilities like 24-hour electricity to his parents during their lifetime "That is I think one regret he always had in his life," Singh said.
Kalam's close aide Srijan Pal Singh, who was with him on his last day, said while travelling from Delhi to Shillong they were discussing about disruptions in Parliament.
"He was very worried and said he had seen the tenures of many governments but disruption keeps on happening every time. He had told me to prepare a surprise assignment question for the students which would be given to them at the end of the lecture," Singh, who co-authored two books with Kalam, told PTI from Shillong.
He said the former President wanted students to come up with three innovative ideas to make Parliament more productive and vibrant.
"We had also decided to include this topic of disruptions in Parliament into our next book 'Advantage India' which would be released in September-October. I'll do that now before the book comes into the market," the IIM Ahmedabad alumnus said.
When asked about Kalam's last wish, he said Kalam always wanted a billion smiles on a billion faces in the country.
ADVERTISEMENT
"He wanted rural India to develop and also he kept on talking about youth empowerment. Now his ideas are more alive as the man who was leading it from the front is no more," he said.
The only regret the 'Missile Man' had in his life was not being able to provide facilities like 24-hour electricity to his parents during their lifetime "That is I think one regret he always had in his life," Singh said.
Download
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
Download
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
Related Articles
Life Advice of the Day by the 'Missile Man of India' Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam: 'Dream, Dream, Dream...' – The incredible power of turning thoughts into action2026-06-03T20:44:53Z- How APJ Abdul Kalam warned India about an energy crisis 20 years before today’s fuel anxiety2026-03-13T05:50:39Z
- Quote of the Day by Dr APJ Abdul Kalam: 'Don’t read success stories, you will only get a message. Read failure stories, you will get some ideas to achieve success'2026-01-18T12:47:25Z
Text: PTI, TNN
Popularly called the "Missile Man" of India, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam rose from humble beginnings and earned the reputation of being the "people's President" who endeared himself to all sections, especially the young.
A devout Muslim and son of a boatowner, Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam, who assumed office as the 11th President on July 18, 2002, was seen as a figurehead who could help heal some of the scars of the communal riots which broke out in Gujarat just a few months before.
The country's first bachelor President, Kalam, whose flowing grey hair is seen as being at odds with what Indians thought a president ought to look like, was one amongst the most respected people of the country who contributed immensely both as a scientist and as a president.
On July 27, India's Missile Man-turned-People's President went as suddenly-at a youthful 83-as he had arrived centre stage to become a national icon.
Kalam collapsed while delivering a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management, Shillong at around 6.30pm. He was rushed to Bethany Hospital but the doctors couldn't save him. His body is being flown to Delhi this morning.
Popularly called the "Missile Man" of India, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam rose from humble beginnings and earned the reputation of being the "people's President" who endeared himself to all sections, especially the young.
A devout Muslim and son of a boatowner, Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam, who assumed office as the 11th President on July 18, 2002, was seen as a figurehead who could help heal some of the scars of the communal riots which broke out in Gujarat just a few months before.
The country's first bachelor President, Kalam, whose flowing grey hair is seen as being at odds with what Indians thought a president ought to look like, was one amongst the most respected people of the country who contributed immensely both as a scientist and as a president.
On July 27, India's Missile Man-turned-People's President went as suddenly-at a youthful 83-as he had arrived centre stage to become a national icon.
Kalam collapsed while delivering a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management, Shillong at around 6.30pm. He was rushed to Bethany Hospital but the doctors couldn't save him. His body is being flown to Delhi this morning.
ADVERTISEMENT
