Dr APJ Abdul Kalam on Education and Women Empowerment

15^th October 2020 is the 89^th Birth Anniversary of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam and it is to be mentioned here that this day is also celebrated as World Students Day every year across the globe.  World Students Day was first celebrated in 2010 in the United Nations on Dr APJ Abdul Kalam’s birthday when he was 79 years old.  This day is being celebrated to honour the most loved President of India who was a teacher, a scientist, an author among many other roles that he played.

In the Indian land of diversity Abdul Kalam was one of those few political figures who was not only one of our finest educators but also one of India’s pro-women politicians and one of India’s most loved people by common consensus.  Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam was a man of simplicity and his dedication to his profession, patriotism, and his love for children is always an inspiration to every individual.  He was one of India’s most visionary leaders had something truly inspiring to say about everything.   Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam made every Indian proud and he had a dream which needs to come true by our efforts. He stole the hearts of people through his inspiring quotes but the things which inspired me most were his concept on education and women’s empowerment.

As we all know he held many important positions in his life but he always stated that he was proud enough to be called as a “Teacher” rather than anybody else.

According to Kalam, “Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today”.

“The only person who is educated is the one who has learned how to learn…and change”.

“Real education enhances the dignity of a human being his- or her self-respect and universal brotherhood in its true sense”.

Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam stole the hearts of people through his inspiring quotes in which the following quote establishes his vision on women empowerment. 

“Enlightened women are very important for nation-building since their thoughts, the way of working and value system will lead to faster development of good family, society and good nation”.  

At an interaction with the students of Avinashilingam Women’s University a student asked Kalam, “Hoping that the future first woman President is among us, what is your advice to us?” To which he said, “First, we must get 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament. Then you can become the President”. What we are today is because of our political system. India’s youth (including women) should not keep away from politics but enter it to inspire, guide and lead to make this nation great in all disciplines.

Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam stated that women should take up politics along with other professions and try to become good leaders.  If more women enter into the scene of the Parliament and the State Legislatures, they would bring some order and we can also hope to see ‘developmental politics’ instead of ‘political politics’.  He further adds that it is only our political system that gives the required support to farmers, scientists, engineers, doctors, teachers, advocates and other professionals alike to enable this nation to achieve success in the green revolution, white revolution, the space mission, defence mission, science and technology mission and infrastructure developments.

For Abdul Kalam, “Empowerment of women leads to development of a good family, good society and, ultimately, a good nation. When the woman is happy, the home is happy. When the home is happy, the society is happy and when the society is happy the state is happy and when the state is happy there will be peace in the country and it will develop at greater pace”.  He asserted the importance of a woman’s role in building the nation and urged the students to take oath to work at it.  “I ask the students to take an oath that they will work in their life to change the lives of at least 100 women by empowering them through education in different spheres of life”.

Kalam’s literature and ideologies will continue to be a prescription for many years to come. On a scale of one to ten, he comes out with flying colours for his views on the concept of education and women’s empowerment.  Any tribute to Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, would be an empty one, if we take no attention for guiding ourselves from the words and life practices of such a fabulous personality. I am stating this here because, for him ideas and ideals had no value if they were not translated into action. Therefore let us all join our hands together to establish his thoughts and practices along with a grateful and sincere tribute to the noble soul of our great nation.