The most exciting day of my life

Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam is my childhood hero. When I was 7 years old, I was watching a TV program and happened to listen to Dr. Kalam’s speech at Anna University, India. It was inspiring and encouraging. Since then I have collected all the news items about him and frequently visited his website, www.abdulkalam.com.

Dr. Kalam was born on October 15, 1931. He is a renowned aerospace engineer, professor and first chancellor of the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology. He served as the 11th President of India from 2002 – 2007 and was known as the Peoples’ President. He was awarded India’s highest civilian honour in 1997.

One day I saw in a newspaper that he would be visiting Sri Lanka. Oh! I was so surprised. I told my parents that I wanted to see him. On January 21, 2012 we went to the BMICH to listen to his guest lecture. The theme was ‘Ignited minds of the youth are the greatest resource for the nation.’

I was amazed. The hall was full. At the seminar, Minister of External Affairs G. L. Peiris introduced Dr. Kalam and said that he had 43 doctorates under his belt. What an achievement!

I listened to Dr. Kalam’s speech. It was very simple and clear. He said that as youths we must have great aims. He stressed that to have success in life we must have four things. They are; great aims, continous education, hardwork and perseverance. He advised us to work with integrity and succeed with integrity. He stressed that each one of us must be unique and that in the future knowledge will be the power.

Dr. Kalam is a real life hero and he got into our minds with his positive thinking speech.