Remembering the ideal teacher on World Students Day

“Accessible” and “friendly” are generally not used to describe scientists and researchers. The popular image of a researcher is that of a person who works ceaselessly, with his intelligence separating him from lesser mortals. Every now and then, however, comes along a great researcher who also possesses great teaching and motivational skills.
By inspiring the creation of successive generations of pioneers in science, technology and other fields, they cement their place in history. One such legend was the former President of India, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. As a scientist, he spearheaded India’s civilian space program and missile development efforts, earning him the sobriquet “The Missile Man of India”. As a teacher, he was successful in motivating tens and thousands of talented students across the world to live their dreams.

Mr. Kalam’s own dream story began on this day, 85 years ago, with his birth to a humble Tamil Muslim family in Rameswaram, in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The 15th of October has now attained great fame thanks to its designation as World Students Day by the United Nations in 2015.
From a young age, Kalam showed immense intelligence and perseverance. His life’s goal was to become a fighter pilot, but he narrowly missed out on it, achieving 9th position in a year with only 8 vacancies.
It was then, however, that he showed his characteristic grit which has successfully motivated so many budding researchers. He gained admission to the crack Madras Institute of Technology(MIT), where he studied aerospace engineering. He achieved great renown as the leader of the SLV(Satellite Launch Vehicle)-III project. The SLV-III was the first Indian launch vehicle, and it succeeded in placing the satellite Rohini in orbit in 1980. His excellent leadership and man-management skills were once again on display in the IGMDP(Integrated Guided Missile Development Program), of which he was the chief executive; among the successes of this program were the Agni  and Prithvi  ballistic missiles. Kalam was also the secretary of the DRDO(Defence Research and Development Organisation) during the highly controversial Pokhran-II nuclear tests. From 2002 to 2007, he served as the 11th President of India, and for his apolitical nature was fondly known as the “People’s President”.

One would expect India’s “Missile Man”, as Kalam was popularly known, to be perpetually obsessed with carrying out futuristic scientific research and dealing with fellow scientists, politicians and military leaders, leaving little time for the common man. In reality, however, he had a down-to-earth personality who derived as much joy from interacting with students as he did in calculating missile trajectories. Kalam once said, “If the people remember me as a good teacher, that will be the biggest honor for me”. He would often set aside all other tasks to attend meets with students, whom he would lecture on various topics. From missile technology and research ethics to effective motivation and research infrastructure in India, few topics would be left untouched. He was equally at ease addressing the graduates of the elite IITs(Indian Institute of Technology) and IIMs(Indian Institute of Management) and schoolgoers. Post-presidency, he served as the Visiting Professor of IIMs at Ahmedabad, Indore and Shillong. While delivering a lecture at Shillong, he died as a result of cardiac arrest on the 27th of July, 2015.

Kalam’s contribution as a teacher went far beyond delivering lectures, however. As a visionary, he outlined the steps which India would need to take in order to become a leading scientific and technological power. India’s ultimate aim, according to him, should be the attainment of the position of the world’s leading “knowledge capital”, which would lead to a creativity revolution. At every stage, he emphasized the core role played by innovation and creativity in determining success. Kalam was also a prolific author, having authored 12 highly popular books.
Eternally optimistic about the country’s prospects in spite of obstacles posed by red tape and the lack of political will, he wrote India 2020: A Vision for the New Millennium, in 1998. You are Born to Blossom, another of his key works, is an excellent motivational tool by itself. Above all, his autobiography, Wings of Fire,  written in 1999, excellently demonstrates the truth of the saying “the average teacher tells and the great teacher inspires”. A moving and inspiring book, it does a great job of motivating people in every sphere of life to give their utmost to make the world a better place.

In a way, there is a Kalam in every one of us. Humble beginnings, early failures, clashes with authority-Kalam had to go through all this, just like every one of us. By continuously persevering and innovating, he set the stage for India’s emergence as a major technological power. Eclipse Technoconsulting Global (P) Ltd., a leading software development company in Kolkata, India seeks inspiration from the Missile Man’s example on World Students Day. “Your best teacher is your last mistake” is one of Kalam’s best sayings, and ordinary people can attain the extraordinary in studying the late polymath’s example.