TOP 7 MOST INSPIRING QUOTES BY DR. A.P.J. ABDUL KALAM

Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, fondly known as the “Missile Man of India,” was born into a simple and modest family in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu. With an unmatched dedication and sheer determination, he climbed the heights of success, becoming an inspirational figure for millions of people. A visionary leader, he is responsible for  leading the country’s missile programs at DRDO and ISRO. Known for his unwavering resilience and profound humility, Dr. Kalam became the 11th president of India and led the country to the paths of development.

Not only a political leader and scientist, Dr. Kalam was also a brilliant teacher. He felt a deep connection with the younger generation, as he believed that youth is the most important catalyst for change in a country. He wrote several books, delivered speeches and entered into conversations to ignite young minds to bring a powerful change in the country.

This article lists the top 7 most inspiring quotes by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, each rooted in his personal life experiences and embodying values such as humility, hard work, and resilience.

1. “Dream, dream, dream. Dreams transform into thoughts and thoughts result in action.”

One of Dr. Kalam’s most famous quotes, this quote finds an important place in his autobiography, Wings of Fire, published in 1999. It is inspired by Dr. Kalam’s own life experiences—his struggles of rising above a financially constrained life in Rameswaram to becoming the country’s president.

Dr. Kalam often used this quote in speeches and conversations to inspire young minds from different nooks and corners of the country, whether rural or urban, to dream and transform this dream to thought and subsequently action. This quote inspires the youth to be resilient in the face of adversity and continue to dream irrespective of any limitations.

2. “You have to dream before your dreams can come true.”

The second most-inspiring quote by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, this quote suggests that vision and imagination are the key elements to success. Quoted in Dr. Kalam’s Ignited Minds (2002) and widely used by him while addressing school students on his presidential campaigns, this quote inspires the younger generation to envision, imagine, think and act to bring a powerful change to the nation.

3. “If you want to shine like a sun, first burn like a sun.”

This quote was widely cited by Dr. Kalam in presidential speeches and public addresses to encourage people to believe in and uphold the values of sacrifice and perseverance. It is inspired by Dr. Kalam’s unmatched hard work and immense rigor, especially during his scientific discoveries and the SLV-III launch. This quote underscores the vital role of dedication, patience, hard work, and perseverance in the pursuit of success.

4. “Don’t read success stories, you will only get a message. Read failure stories, you will get some ideas to get success.”

The fourth most-inspiring quote by Dr. Abdul Kalam, this quote is originally taken from Dr. Kalam’s book My Journey: Transforming Dreams into Actions (2013). This quote dismantles the most popular myth in the society that celebrates only success stories and tags them inspirational while sidelining failures and the important lessons that they constitute.

Dr. Kalam believed that only glorifying success will not teach as many practical lessons and solutions to people as would understanding and accepting failures. The quote is inspired by Dr. Kalam’s unsuccessful attempt to join the Air Force, a setback that ultimately redirected him toward a remarkable career in space and defense research.

5. “Failure will never overtake me if my determination to succeed is strong enough.”

This quote has been inspiring generations since time immemorial to follow their dreams with dedication and determination despite persistent failures. It suggests that a strong will can ultimately defeat failures and not only talent but constant hard work leads to success.

6. Thinking is the capital, enterprise is the way and hard work is the solution.”

Originally written in India 2020: A Vision for the New Millennium (1998), this quote informed Dr. Kalam’s vision of transforming India into a developed nation. It captures the essence of innovation-led growth, suggesting that vision, action, and hard work drive innovation and lead to success.

7. “Let us sacrifice our today so that our children can have a better tomorrow.”

This quote was used by Dr. Kalam in many of his presidential speeches, where he advocated for the current generation to imbibe the values of sacrifice and hard work and develop an endurance to hardships. To ensure a more promising and secure future for future generations. This quote highlights the importance of responsibility and legacy.

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Conclusion

Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s words, though documented many years ago, continue to resonate with younger generations, highlighting the timeless nature of his wisdom. Inspired by his personal life experiences, these quotes offer a relatable and inspirational perspective on overcoming limitations and constraints in life to achieve success. They highlight the importance of dreaming and turning those dreams into action, not only to achieve individual goals but also to contribute to the nation’s journey towards development.