Rameswaram: “Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was a pioneer in the development of space science in India. Let us also walk the path he left behind,” said Annamalai, the leader of the ‘We The Leaders’ organization.
On the occasion of the 11th death anniversary of the late former President Abdul Kalam, an Abdul Kalam memorial seminar was held today (Monday) at the Go Swamy Hall in Rameswaram, on behalf of the Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam International Foundation.
At the seminar, Kalam’s nephew Jainulabudeen, Nasima Maraikkayar, grandson Sheikh Salim, and Sheikh Dawood were present in the front row. IPS officer Karthikeyan, biologist Sultan Ahmed Ismail, and doctors Vijaya Raghavan and Joseph Rajan also attended.
Speaking as the special guest at the event, Annamalai, the head of the ‘We the Leaders’ organization, said: “After completing his trip to America, Swami Vivekananda came to Pamban Kundhukal via Sri Lanka. The then Ramanathapuram king, Bhaskara Sethupathi, welcomed him. At that place, the Mandapam Maraikkayars donated 5 acres of land to build a memorial house for Vivekananda.
Born in Rameswaram in India into a humble family, he began his life as a newspaper delivery boy and gradually rose to become the great leader, Dr. Abdul Kalam.
Dr. Abdul Kalam had the experience of working with eight Prime Ministers. Today, space science in India has advanced to the point where even private organizations can launch artificial satellites into space. Dr. Abdul Kalam was the pioneer who made this possible. Abdul Kalam stood as a model for always holding on to patriotism and for remaining a great citizen of this country until the very end.
If Abdul Kalam passed away while speaking among the students in Shillong, then God, Kalam, and the students were all together at that moment. Kalam, who took office as the 11th President of India, went in with just a suitcase. When his term ended, he came out with the same suitcase. Let us also travel the path left behind by Abdul Kalam,” Annamalai said.
