President of India pays floral tributes to Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam on his birth anniversary

New Delhi: On the 94th birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, a solemn ceremony was held at Rashtrapati Bhavan where President Droupadi Murmu paid floral tribute to the late visionary leader. The President also met with Dr. Kalam’s grandnephews, APJMJ Sheik Dawood and Dr. APJMJ Sheik Saleem, who shared inspirational reflections on his legacy and vision for a developed India.

The event witnessed the distinguished presence of senior scientists, including P. Veeramuthuvel, Project Director of ISRO’s Chandrayaan–3 Mission, and Dillibabu Vijaykumar from DRDO, Bengaluru. In her address, President Murmu said, “Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was not just a great scientist but a visionary who inspired India’s youth to dream big and achieve those dreams through perseverance and innovation. His life continues to guide every student, teacher, and scientist.” She further emphasized that the national mission of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’, envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, draws its inspiration from Dr. Kalam’s lifelong dream of a strong, self-reliant, and technologically advanced India.

Speaking on the occasion, APJMJ Sheik Dawood said, “Today’s ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan is more than a tribute—it is a reaffirmation of the scientific vision Dr. Kalam imagined through his idea of a ‘Developed India.’”

Echoing his sentiments, Dr. APJMJ Sheik Saleem remarked, “Dr. Kalam always believed that youth are India’s greatest strength. As the nation achieves new milestones with Chandrayaan, Aditya, and Gaganyaan, we feel proud to see his dream coming to life.”

Coinciding with the event, the three-day national symposium ‘Space Mission–2025’ concluded at the NCUI Auditorium and Convention Centre in New Delhi. The symposium aimed to ignite young minds toward science, research, and space technology, carrying forward Dr. Kalam’s scientific outlook.

Addressing the gathering virtually from the Dr. Kalam Memorial in Rameswaram, Dr. L. Murugan, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, said, “Dr. Kalam’s dream was of a ‘Developed India 2020.’ Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, that dream is taking shape as ‘Viksit Bharat 2047.’ The success of missions like Chandrayaan and Aditya is a testament to that vision.” He urged the youth to imbibe Dr. Kalam’s humility and scientific spirit.

Raksha Nikhil Khadse, Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, encouraged young participants to join the My Bharat Portal, describing it as a dynamic platform that connects youth with national policymaking. “The future belongs to India’s youth,” she said, adding that initiatives like Startup India and Make in India embody the innovation-driven philosophy that Dr. Kalam envisioned.

The event saw participation from ISRO’s Nigar Shaji (Project Director, Aditya-L1 Solar Mission), P. Veeramuthuvel (Project Director, Chandrayaan–3), and DRDO scientist Dillibabu Vijaykumar, along with academicians and around 1,000 students from across the country. Students presented innovative science and rocket-technology models, STEM-based research projects, and participated in exhibitions, workshops, quizzes, and innovation awards.

Organizers of Space Mission–2025 described the initiative as “not just a conference, but a movement”—a collective step toward realizing the goal of a technologically self-reliant and scientifically progressive India, envisioned by Dr. Kalam and reaffirmed under the mission of Viksit Bharat 2047.