Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah released the 'Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam: Memories Never Die' book in Rameshwaram, today. The Union Home Minister  visited Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam House, Mission of Life Gallery Museum and Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam National Memorial. He also visited the Vivekananda Memorial. Shri Amit Shah also offered prayers at the world famous Rameshwaram temple. In his tweet, he said that the Rameswaram temple is  symbol of the ancient and glorious Sanatan Culture. Lord Shri Ram worshiped Lord Shiva at Shri Rameshwaram which is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas. Having darshan here on the auspicious occasion of 'Aadi Thiruvizha', is a very fortunate and a great feeling. I have prayed to Bholenath for the well-being of the countrymen and the prosperity of the nation. Several dignitaries including Union Minister of State Dr. L. Murugan were present on the occasion of the release of the book 'Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam: Memories Never Die'.

In his address, Shri Amit Shah said that with the release of the book 'Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam: Memories Never Die', readers across the country will definitely get an opportunity to know, understand and follow Dr. Kalam. He said that this book assimilates the history of Indian rocketry, science, technology and innovation, beautiful representation of Indian politics and administrative system and description of many incidents related to wishes and imagination of Dr. Kalam. In this book there is a complete and honest description of the incidents related to Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam.

The Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that this book would prove to be very helpful in understanding the struggle of an ordinary boy born in a poor household in Rameshwaram to reach the highest peak of Indian politics. He added that this book brings to the readers  Dr. Kalam's love for literature and art, his exhortations about the poems of Thirukural and Bharthiyar and many unknown aspects of his life. Shri Shah said that Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam was a great team player. He implemented the principles of management in his life.

Shri Amit Shah said that the book describes an experience of Dr. Sivathanu Pillai, Founder and CEO of BrahMos Private Limited. According to this, when SLV3-E01 failed, the whole team was disappointed, but being the team leader, Dr. Kalam encouraged everyone and motivated them to prepare for SLV3-E02. The successful launch of SLV3-E02 took India to the next level. Shri Shah said that similarly when the first launch of Agni missile was postponed two-three times due to some problems, even then the whole team was disappointed. But Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam encouraged them and stayed at the place of missile launching for one and a half months and worked all day and night. After successful launching, Agni missile became a symbol of India's missile power in the whole world. He said that under the leadership of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, a big work was done in the country regarding five missiles. The names of those five missiles Prithvi, Agni, Akash, Nag and Trishul show that Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam was connected with nature and spirituality. He said that a scientist can work for the welfare of the world only when his soul is connected to science as well as spirituality.

Paying tribute to the great patriot, scientist and People's President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, the Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that in the year 1995, Abdul Kalam had become a well-known scientist of the country and in 1997 he was awarded the Bharat Ratna. Citing the example of simplicity of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, he said that when he reached Rashtrapati Bhavan to receive Bharat Ratna, he was very nervous because he did not feel comfortable in suit and tie.

Shri Amit Shah said that the great scientist Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, who brought many successes to India in the field of rocket and space in a single year, presented his vision for the country's future in 1998. He said that in the book India 2020: A Vision for the New Millennium, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam outlined the road map for India's future and development. Shri Shah said that in this book, Dr Kalam put three main things in front of the youth of the country, first - India as a nation has to develop by recognizing its potential and bringing it to the front. Secondly, we have to develop technology based economy. Thirdly, by adopting balance growth model and striking a balance between both the village and the city, agriculture and industry, development will have to be taken forward. He said that today, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi India has moved forward in the direction of becoming a developed nation by realizing these three things.

The Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam laid the foundation in the field of space technology and today, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, milestones like 55 spacecraft missions, 50 launch vehicle missions, 11 student satellites, 1 Atmosphere Re-entry Mission and launch of 104 satellites together have been achieved. He said that to realise the dreams of Dr. Abdul Kalam, Shri Modi has opened new doors for startups and the youths in the field of space sector, the day is not far when India will lead the whole world in space sector. Shri Shah expressed confidence that due to the initiatives taken by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi the dream of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam for space science, will definitely come true and India will lead the whole world in the field of space.

Shri Amit Shah said that Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, being the President, brought the common citizen of India to the centre of democracy and today, the Prime Minister of the country, Shri Narendra Modi has succeeded to bring the poor and underprivileged people to the centre of democracy. This shows that when a poor man connected to its roots reaches the peak of democracy, then democracy is dedicated to the poor and it focuses on their development and welfare.

The Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that even today, whenever the name of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam comes up, a smile appears on the faces of children and students across the country. He said that this smile is the smile of the dreams, hopes, enthusiasm and passion for the bright future of the country shown by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam and the future of the country is reflected in this smile. Shri Shah said that the youth and students across the country should remember the words of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam that 'Dreams are not those which are seen in sleep, but dreams are those which do not let us sleep'. Missile Man Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam spent his whole life in teaching and even in his last breath he was teaching students in Meghalaya. This is a sign of his commitment.

Shri Amit Shah said that Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam's journey from Fisherman's Committee to International Space Club is very inspiring. After coming back from school, Dr. Kalam used  to sell newspapers at bus stands for the education of the rest of his family. He said that it is the success of the struggle of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam that a poor child who used to sell newspapers had the fortune of becoming the headlines of the newspapers. Shri Shah said that the person from the farthest place of southern India and from poor economic background got the privilege of becoming the first citizen of the country. He said that Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam received many national and international honors in his life. The name of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam will always be written in golden letters in the history of DRDO and ISRO for giving new directions to these institutions.

The Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam had worked on a project to make a low-flying fighter plane in the final year of his graduation. While making the project, the idea of becoming a fighter pilot came to his mind and he also tried to become a pilot but could not succeed. However, he did not give up his dream and after becoming the President in 2002, he fulfilled his dream by flying the fighter jet Sukhoi in 2006. Shri Shah said that Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam made India self-reliant in the field of guided missiles and conducted the successful launch of Agni and Prithvi missiles. In 1998, under his leadership a successful nuclear test was conducted in Pokhran.

Shri Amit Shah said that Dr. Kalam proved that humanity is the biggest religion. As President, Dr. Kalam set such examples that are worth emulating for people in public life for many years. Shri Shah said that once 52 members of Dr. Kalam's family stayed in Rashtrapati Bhavan for 9 days. The people who live in Rashtrapati Bhavan are state guests, but Dr. Abdul Kalam had deposited the bill of Rs 9.52 Lakh for their stay of 9 days in Rashtrapati Bhavan. This gesture of Dr. Kalam is a shining example of transparency in public life. He said that Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam never associated himself with His Excellency. This is the reason why the people of India still remember him with great respect as the People's President. He said that Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam had a lot of respect for the officers and brave soldiers of the army in his heart.

The Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Minister said that Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam has said in his book Wings of Fire that my story will end with me as I have no family. But this is not true, 140 crore Indians are his family who will always be proud of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. Shri Shah said that in the history of India, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam will always be remembered by every child of India as a visionary, scientist and simple living person and a great patriot.

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RK/AY/AKS