APJ remembered on his death anniversary

SHILLONG, JULY 27: Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam will forever be remembered as one of the most beloved presidents of India. Dr. Kalam’s love for teaching was no secret and he was a guest lecturer at IIM Shillong for three years before his unfortunate demise at IIM Shillong, doing what he loved.

One year after his death anniversary, IIM Shillong has started a new initiative – the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Lecture Series, in his fond memory. The day commenced with a remembrance meet at the IIM Shillong auditorium where the entire IIM Shillong fraternity lit candles in fond memory of Dr. Kalam.

The first lecture in the series was held at the Meghalaya State Convention Center in the presence of distinguished guests from across the country.

Students of IIM Shillong prepared a video to pay homage to the Missile Man and also talked about the various initiatives taken by them. Nurturing Minds is a program started to spread Dr. Kalam’s teachings and propagate his ideas, wherein students of IIM Shillong teach underprivileged children from schools across Shillong.

Among the other initiatives taken were Prakriti, the tree plantation drive and a canvas painting event which was organized on his birth anniversary.

The first lecture was delivered on Wednesday, by Dr. Manas K. Mandal, distinguished Scientist & Director General – Life Sciences, Defence Research & Development Organization, on the topic “To lead change and the changed way of leading”, which revolved around the non-traditional forms of leadership. He mentioned how Dr. Kalam had inspired him and the nation as a whole. He spoke about how Dr. Kalam had a different approach towards leadership and how he subtly changed the thought process of each one of us. He said “A leader can integrate context, content and intent.”

In addition to the lecture by Dr. Mandal, Dr. Amitabha De, Director IIM Shillong, also addressed the gathering. He announced that various initiatives would be undertaken by IIM Shillong, in remembrance of Dr. Kalam. The permanent campus will house a 2000 sq. metre., 800 student- strong auditorium named after him, with a bust of “Kalam Sir” outside the auditorium. Also, a center will be opened in his name, as the A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Centre for Public Policy.

Falguni Rajkumar, Chairman, Board of Governors, IIM Shillong gave the closing address in which he said “Dr. Kalam was a bureaucrat and a scientist and had the rare quality of humanity, which distinguished him from the rest.”

Dr. Kalam will always remain an integral part of IIM Shillong and its students will always try and take forward his legacy.

“Great dreams of great dreamers are always transcended” – Dr. Kalam.-By Our Reporter