abstract

This paper explores the early life, education, cultural influences, and family values that shaped A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, one of India’s most respected scientists and the 11th President of India. Born into a modest Muslim family in Rameswaram, Kalam’s childhood was marked by simplicity, hard work, and a deep curiosity about science. His early experiences-ranging from delivering newspapers to witnessing religious harmony and instances of discrimination-significantly shaped his worldview. Influential teachers and strong family values instilled in him discipline, humility, and compassion. Kalam’s educational journey from Rameswaram to St. Joseph’s College and the Madras Institute of Technology laid the foundation for his later achievements in aerospace engineering and missile development at DRDO and ISRO. His life story highlights the importance of perseverance, inclusivity, and value-based living, all of which guided his later role as a national leader and an advocate for youth and education.