April 12, 2026 04:29 pm (IST)
Follow us:
Abdul Kalam was 'Rashtra-Ratna' before a 'Rashtrapati: PM Modi
New Delhi, Oct 15 (IBNS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday described former President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam as one who was a 'Rashtra-Ratna' before a 'Rashtrapati.'
He was speaking at the birth anniversary celebrations of Dr. Kalam, at DRDO Bhavan in New Delhi.
The Prime Minister said that a memorial for Kalam would be built at Rameswaram, to inspire future generations.
He said, "While most people look for opportunities in life, Dr. Kalam always sought fresh challenges to overcome."
Modi recalled how he worked closely with Kalam during the post-earthquake reconstruction work in Kutch.
Recalling that Kalam wished to be remembered as a teacher, the Prime Minister said that, "The former President was well-aware of the importance of nurturing future generations."
He said that on the birth anniversary for Kalam, "we must explore how we can encourage innovation in India."
The Prime Minister mentioned several vital sectors where innovation was essential, including cyber-security, housing for all, river-linking, enhancing agricultural productivity, blue economy, and zero-defect, zero-effect manufacturing.
He said that Kalam had not only risen himself, from humble beginnings to the highest office in India, but had also built great institutions, virtually from scratch. He said all of us should draw inspiration from his example.
Earlier, the Prime Minister unveiled a statue of APJ Abdul Kalam at DRDO Bhavan. He opened and witnessed a photo exhibition titled – “A Celebration of Dr. Kalam’s Life.”
PM Modi also released a commemorative postal stamp on Kalam.
Union Ministers M. Venkaiah Naidu, Manohar Parrikar, Ravi Shankar Prasad, and Harsh Vardhan were present on the occasion.
#Union Ministers M. Venkaiah Naidu
# Manohar Parrikar
# Ravi Shankar Prasad
# Harsh Vardhan
# Rashtrapati
# PM Modi
# APJ Abdul Kalam
Support Our Journalism
We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism
IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.
Support objective journalism for a small contribution.
Latest Headlines
India eyes deeper Europe ties as Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri heads to Paris, Berlin
Sun, Apr 12 2026
Opposition slams govt over women’s quota push, Mallikarjun Kharge questions ‘haste’
Sun, Apr 12 2026
Veteran singer Asha Bhosle hospitalised in Mumbai with 'extreme exhaustion, chest infection'
Sat, Apr 11 2026