I often wondered why Dr. Abdul Kalam was so popular with the students. A teacher gave me the answer. While teachers generally told the students to study well and get the answers to the questions put to them, Kalam told them to observe well and ask questions on almost anything and everything that triggers their curiosity.

   Moreover, Kalam gave the students self-confidence saying that they can do things if only they dream big things. Parents and teachers by and large drove the students towards goals normally set for them, Kalam opened the minds of the young to determine their goals themselves. He encouraged the younger generation not to lose hope or run down our own ability to do things better.

   He proudly recalled Tipu Sultan’s pioneering efforts in rocketry even before the Europeans started to master the technology. Kalam’s approach was to broaden the minds of the young beyond the syllabus and the exams.....