World Students’ Day 2019: Why is it celebrated on Dr APJ Abdul Kalam’s birthday?

World Students’ Day is celebrated every year on October 15 on former president APJ Abdul Kalam’s birthday. The day is celebrated on his birth anniversary because Dr Kalam was a dedicated teacher and identified himself foremost in that role before anything else.

Due to the former President’s love for students, various educational institutions in India observe Kalam’s birthday in their own way. Notably, in 2010, the United Nations declared October 15 to be World Students’ Day.

The 11th President, who served the nation from 2002 to 2007, was widely referred to as the people’s president and is also credited for India’s military missile systems as well as civilian space programmes.

APJ Abdul Kalam’s love for students, finds best voice when he said, “Dream, Dream, Dream, Dreams transform into thoughts. And thoughts result in action.” He had also further said, to students, “If you fail, never give up because FAIL means ‘first attempt in learning’.”

In the 2006 Presidential address, at the presentation of National Awards to teachers, he had famously said that “Teachers are the builders of society and the society can be built only when the students are made proficient in their subjects.”

He further added that they have to provide a vision for life to the students and also inculcate the fundamentals of values which they should practice in years to come.

Prime Ministrer Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh and many took their twitter accounts remembering Dr APJ Abdul Kalam on his birthday.

डॉ. एपीजे अब्दुल कलाम जी को उनकी जयंती पर विनम्र श्रद्धांजलि। उन्होंने 21वीं सदी के सक्षम और समर्थ भारत का सपना देखा और इस दिशा में अपना विशिष्ट योगदान दिया। उनका आदर्श जीवन देशवासियों को सदैव प्रेरित करता रहेगा।

India salutes Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Ji on his Jayanti. pic.twitter.com/PPgPrkqQRG

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 15, 2019

Remembering former President of India and a phenomenal scientist, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam on his birth anniversary. He was a people’s president who would continue to live in the hearts and minds of the people of India. I bow to him on his jayanti.

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) October 15, 2019

I offer my tributes to former President of India, Bharat Ratna Dr APJ Abdul Kalam ji on his Jayanti. Dr Kalam was an epitome of simplicity and knowledge who devoted his entire life to the nation. He is an inspiration to every Indian.

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) October 15, 2019

Dr APJ Abdul Kalam suffered a cardiac arrest while delivering a lecture to the students of IIM Shilong on July 27, 2015.

“When I am dead, do not declare a holiday. Instead, work a day extra,” he had famously said.