Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

 

National Students' Day – A Lesson Beyond Books

Today, on the birth anniversary of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, we celebrate National Students’ Day — a day dedicated to learning, inspiration, and the power of young minds. Dr. Kalam always believed that education is not just about acquiring degrees, but about developing character, discipline, and compassion for others.

Recently, a thought-provoking post has been circulating:
A boy collecting garbage on the road — the caption reads,
“Educated people throw garbage on the road, and illiterate people clean it.”

This message reminds us that education is meaningless without values. True learning is not limited to classrooms or certificates; it is reflected in our behavior, civic sense, and sense of responsibility toward society.
If an “educated” person lacks cleanliness, respect, or empathy, then their education has failed its purpose. On the other hand, an uneducated person who maintains dignity in work and cleanliness of surroundings displays true wisdom of life.

Let us remember Dr. Kalam’s words — “You have to dream before your dreams can come true.”

Let that dream be of a clean, responsible, and educated India — not only in knowledge, but in conduct.

Born: 15 October 1931, Rameswaram

Died: 27 July 2015 (age 83 years), Shillong