Dr APJ Abdul Kalam cared for children’s education across the world

In eulogy, the People’s President will be remembered as one of the world’s greatest scientists, greatest teachers, and inspiring visionaries. In my view, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam was an educator par excellence and for whom sovereign boundaries didn’t matter when it came to a child’s education.

During his visits to Singapore and other countries, he would always enquire about poor and weaker children in those countries and express concerns for those without adequate educational opportunities. He cared for children, regardless of their citizenship.

During his state visit to Singapore in 2006 as the President of India, I had the opportunity to meet him at the presidential suite of Shangri La. Departing from the traditional line of conversation - much to my surprise - Dr Kalam asked with a deeply concerned voice, “What are you doing for the poor children here?” My natural response was there were no poor children in Singapore. He said, “No. There are poor children here and do something for them”

He then asked us what were we doing for education of poor children in India and emphasised on “remotest corner in India, OK, remotest corner,” he said in his trademark style. Now that was a quite a challenge coming from the architect of remote sensing satellites.

Dr Kalam encouraged us to create educational opportunities for the underprivileged children, beyond boundaries, as he strongly believed that education was the single-most powerful tool that could alleviate poverty.

Inspired by his thoughts, the Global Indian Foundation, which focusses on cultural development, kicked off several educational initiatives with SINDA for the Singaporean students. It also commenced free yoga programs for Singaporeans. The Foundation also funded a donation of S$1 million to SINDA to develop a customised curriculum for underperforming students. Supporting Dr Kalam’s vision, GIIS introduced the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam scholarships in 2006 to allow students to study at GIIS schools.

In 2008, the Global Schools Foundation, which focuses on school development, started the Mahatma Gandhi Global Indian Eklavya School in Tilakwada, situated in a tribal area around 60km from Baroda in Gujarat. This is a joint initiative with the Government of Gujarat to provide education for children in tribal areas. After seven years of operation under the Global Schools Foundation, this tribal school has become a role model for tribal schools in the country producing 100% pass results in the 12^th board exam. Students of MGGIES have gone on to become national champions in archery, a sport specially promoted at the school.

In his next visit to Singapore in 2008, we were fortunate to have Dr Kalam inaugurate our campus in Balestier. He enquired on the follow-up actions we had undertaken, and he appreciated our steps towards imparting education for underprivileged children in Singapore and in India.

His perseverance to shape students’ minds, inspire them to walk the extra mile and achieve their dreams cannot be described in words. In each of the 4 meetings that I was fortunate to have with him, I felt awakened and encouraged to do more for the underprivileged children.

Dr Kalam believed in making education reachable, flexible, and feasible for all. His messages always resonated his belief that students should be provided ‘wings to fly’. We aspire to provide best education and facilities to ensure that students are nurtured to become future-ready citizens.

I recollect, in 2006, his speech during the valedictory session of Pravasi Bhartiya Divas (in Hyderabad) he awakened the NRI audiences that the primary objective of life is to be happy. Happiness is the key component in the upbringing of all children. Thereafter our schools implemented the Happiness Index, as we believe that happy children are happy learners for life.

As an inspiring educator - Dr Kalam’s presence through his messages will remain with us and we will continue to strive his legacy of nurturing students as a ‘Global Citizens.

Atul Temurnikar
Chairman and Co-founder
Global Schools Foundation
Global Indian Foundation