Our motherland India has given birth to many great personalities who are unique in their own way. Among all the great personalities, I like APJ Abdul Kalam, who is my idol. Born in a poor family, he struggled and worked hard to complete his schooling and college.

He studied aeronautical engineering in Chennai and played a key role in the development of India’s first satellite launch vehicle, the SLV-III. He helped in launching missiles such as Agni, Prithvi, Akash, Trishul, and Nag and is therefore known as “Missile Man of India”.

His aim is turn India into a developed nation by 2020. He was the 11th President of India from 2002 to 2007. He received the Padma Bhusan, Padma Vibhusan, and nation’s highest civilian award — the Bharat Ratna. Besides being a scientist, he is also a famous poet, writer and orator. His poem My Mother and books such as Ignited Minds are an inspiration for children. He is very fond of children and always advises them to dream big and work hard to fulfil their dreams.

Srishti Mishra

Class VII

St Joseph’s High School

Bhubaneswar