World Students Day: Celebrate the Contribution of Dr. Kalam to Space Science Education in India

Each year, Oct 15 is celebrated as World Students’ Day to commemorate the birth of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. He was the former president of India and a renowned aeronautical scientist. Today marks the 91st birth anniversary of Dr Kalam, an inspiration to millions of students who wish to achieve a fraction of his accomplishments.

After serving as the president of India for 5 years, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam opened a new chapter in his life when he became a visiting faculty member at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) in Shillong,  Indian Institute of Management (IIM) in Indore and the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) in Ahmedabad. He spent the majority of his life reforming the educational infrastructure of India. 

Dr Kalam was a dedicated and hardworking youth with a passion for knowledge. He pursued his higher education in Aerospace Engineering at the Madras Institute of Technology. Despite the odds against him, he became the most famous nuclear scientist in India and is fondly remembered as the ‘Missile Man of India.” This term was coined as he played a fundamental role in the nuclear research program of our country. His critical role as a project director of India's first satellite launch vehicle (SLV) at ISRO put India's space program on the global map.

Is India Progressing in the Field of Space Science & Astronomy?

After more than 7 years of his sad demise, the question begs how far our country has come in providing world-class education in Aerospace and Space Science to the youth of our country. 

The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras), the US Consulate General Chennai and the Indian Space Association have launched a space technology conclave starting on Oct 15. This 3-day event will focus on scientific research and development, space policy, space entrepreneurship and business, as well as international collaboration. One of this initiative's key objectives is to launch the ‘Association of Space Entrepreneurs in the Indo-Pacific’ (ASEIP). This association will allow international collaboration and a new wave of business opportunities in the Indo-Pacific region.

Space Kidz India is an Indian Aerospace Start-up specialising in small satellite design, fabrication, and launch. On Aug 15, 2022, Space Kidz India unfurled the Indian Tricolour approximately 30 kilometres above the planet's surface at an altitude of 106000 feet. This event fell under the umbrella of the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign launched by PM Modi to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Indian independence.

With the concerted effort of the central government and space research and science institutes pan-India, one can see the bright future and potential India has in the field of space science and astronomy.

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