CM Sai Pays Tribute to APJ Abdul Kalam on Birth Anniversary

Key Takeaways

Abdul Kalam's birth anniversary, observed globally as World Students' Day .

Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai posted a tribute in Hindi on X, praising Kalam's contributions to defence and space science.

Kalam served as India's 11th President (2002–2007) and was the driving force behind the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme .

He was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1997 , India's highest civilian honour.

Political leaders across parties routinely mark 15 October with tributes, reflecting Kalam's rare cross-partisan standing in Indian public life.

On the birth anniversary of one of India's most beloved scientist-statesmen, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Thursday, 15 October offered his respects to 'Bharat Ratna' Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, honouring a legacy that reshaped the nation's defence and space horizons.

Posting in Hindi on X, CM Sai wrote: 'महान वैज्ञानिक एवं पूर्व राष्ट्रपति... उनका योगदान सदैव स्मरणीय रहेगा' — 'On the birth anniversary of great scientist and former President 'Bharat Ratna' Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, a humble tribute. His contribution in taking India to new heights in the fields of defence and space science, and in strengthening the country's scientific capabilities, will always be remembered.'

The Scientist Who Became a Symbol

Born on 15 October 1931 in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, Dr. Kalam built a career that moved from the drawing boards of ISRO to the helm of India's missile programme at DRDO, before ascending to Rashtrapati Bhavan as the 11th President of India (2002–2007). He was the principal architect of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGDMP), the strategic effort that produced the Agni and Prithvi missile series — weapons that fundamentally altered India's deterrence calculus. The nation awarded him its highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, in 1997. Kalam was also, perhaps uniquely among India's strategic scientists, a figure who transcended partisan lines. Known as the 'People's President,' he spent his post-presidential years speaking to schoolchildren and college students, insisting that India's future ran through its young scientists.

A National Commemoration, Year After Year

Every 15 October — observed as World Students' Day in his honour — Indian political leaders across the spectrum pause to mark his birth anniversary. CM Sai's tribute fits into this broad national pattern: a collective reaffirmation, from the highest offices of every state, of the values Kalam embodied — scientific rigour, strategic ambition, and an almost missionary belief in youth. For Chhattisgarh, a state with a growing focus on technical education and youth development, invoking Kalam's name carries particular resonance. The brevity and sincerity of such tributes often measure their own weight. No new scheme was announced, no political point scored — just a Chief Minister, on a Thursday morning, choosing to remember a man who believed that dreaming big was a national duty.

Point of View

Merit-driven national pride — a rare figure all parties claim without controversy. For a BJP leader, highlighting Kalam's role in strengthening India's strategic defence capabilities also aligns neatly with the ruling party's sustained 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' narrative on defence indigenisation. What makes these annual tributes politically interesting is their uniformity: Kalam remains one of the few figures around whom no factional contest emerges. That itself speaks to his extraordinary place in the national imagination.

NationPress

15 Oct 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

When is APJ Abdul Kalam's birth anniversary?

Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was born on 15 October 1931 in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu. His birth anniversary is observed every year on this date, also marked internationally as World Students' Day.

Why is 15 October celebrated as World Students' Day?

15 October is observed as World Students' Day in honour of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, who was deeply passionate about inspiring young people and education throughout his life.

What is APJ Abdul Kalam best known for?

Dr. Kalam is best known as the chief architect of India's Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGDMP) , his role at DRDO and ISRO, and his tenure as India's 11th President (2002–2007) . He was also beloved as the 'People's President.'

What award did APJ Abdul Kalam receive from the Indian government?

Dr. Kalam was awarded the Bharat Ratna — India's highest civilian honour — in 1997 , in recognition of his exceptional contributions to science and national service.

Who is Vishnu Deo Sai?

Vishnu Deo Sai is the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh and a senior BJP leader. He posted the tribute to Dr. Kalam on X on 15 October 2026.