When you run towards your dream, life has a special kind of meaning. A meaning that gives birth to a great person like the late Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. Dr Kalam, India's 'Missile Man', is admired by people all over the world. This year commemorates the 7th anniversary of his death. He was an excellent teacher, scientist, and 'People's President'. He lived a basic and humble life and led it in devotion to his work and the country. He served as India's 11th President, in addition to making significant contributions to the scientific field.


Here are some valuable sayings of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam that motivates everyone to work for their dreams and achieve them.


On Dreams and Motivation: Dr Kalam inspired young people to not only dream but to dream big and work extremely hard to make their dreams come true. He never stopped inspiring people to work hard and pursue their goals. 



  • “You have to Dream before your Dreams can come true.”

  • “Where there is righteousness in the heart, there is beauty in the character. When there is beauty in the character, there is harmony in the home. When there is harmony in the home, there is order in the nation. When there is order in the nation, there is peace in the world.”

  • “If you fail, never give up because F.A.I.L. means ‘First Attempt In Learning’. The end is not the end; in fact, E.N.D. means ‘Effort Never Dies’. If you get No as an answer, remember N.O. means ‘Next Opportunity. So, Let’s be positive.”

  • “The best brains of the nation may be found on the last benches of the classroom.”

  • “When your hopes and dreams and goals are dashed, search among the wreckage, you may find a golden opportunity hidden in the ruins.”

  • “Don’t take rest after your first victory because if you fail in the second, more lips are waiting to say that your first victory was just luck.


On Knowledge: He believed in the power of knowledge, and that one should keep on acquiring knowledge to progress in life. He taught the values of patience and perseverance and encouraged students to ask questions.



  • “Never stop fighting until you arrive at your destined place – that is, the unique you. Have an aim in life, continuously acquire knowledge, work hard, and have the perseverance to realize the great life.”

  • “If a country is to be corruption free and become a nation of beautiful minds, I strongly feel there are three key societal members who can make a difference. They are the father, the mother and the teacher.”

  • “One of the very important characteristics of a student is to question. Let the students ask questions.”

  • “Science is a beautiful gift to humanity; we should not distort it.”


On Success: He encouraged young people to speak up their minds, and think out of the box, and he recognized the uniqueness of every child. 



  • “My message, especially to young people is to have the courage to think differently, courage to invent, to travel the unexplored path, courage to discover the impossible and to conquer the problems and succeed. These are great qualities that they must work towards. This is my message to the young people.”

  • “To become ‘unique,’ the challenge is to fight the hardest battle which anyone can imagine until you reach your destination.”

  • “Learning gives creativity, Creativity leads to thinking, Thinking provides knowledge, Knowledge makes you great.”

  • “If you want to leave your footprints on the sands of time, do not drag your feet.”


On Religion: Kalam also knew how to bring religions closer.



  • “For great men, religion is a way of making friends; small people make religion a fighting tool.”


Dr Kalam has and will continue to inspire generations through his writings, publications, and speeches.