Chapter 2
1. Transition from Childhood to Higher Education
In the second chapter of the Orientation section, A. P. J. Abdul Kalam describes the transition
from his peaceful childhood in Rameswaram to the next stage of his life—formal higher
education and the beginning of his career aspirations.
Until this point, Kalam had lived in a small and protected environment where family, religion,
and community played a central role. However, as he grew older, he realized that education was
the key to achieving his dreams.
His family and teachers encouraged him to pursue higher studies even though it meant leaving
his hometown.
Leaving Rameswaram was an emotional moment for Kalam because it meant separating from
his parents, friends, and the familiar environment of his childhood.
2. Influence of His Father’s Advice
Before leaving for further studies, Kalam received valuable guidance from his father
Jainulabdeen.
His father explained that children must eventually leave home to pursue their own dreams and
build their future. He told Kalam that parents cannot hold their children back because every
individual has a unique destiny to fulfill.
This advice was deeply philosophical and spiritual. It encouraged Kalam to move forward
confidently and pursue his ambitions.
The message from his father reflected the idea that:
life is a journey of growth
independence is necessary for success
faith and courage help overcome uncertainty
This moment marks an important emotional and psychological turning point in Kalam’s life.
3. Move to Ramanathapuram for Schooling
To continue his studies, Kalam moved from Rameswaram to the nearby town of
Ramanathapuram.
Here he attended Schwartz Higher Secondary School.
This transition was challenging for Kalam because the new environment was very different from
his small hometown.
He experienced:
loneliness
homesickness
difficulty adjusting to a new place
However, he remained determined to focus on his studies and achieve his goals.
4. A Teacher Who Inspired Confidence
At Schwartz School, Kalam met an important teacher named Iyadurai Solomon.
This teacher had a profound influence on Kalam’s thinking and personality.
Iyadurai Solomon taught his students three important principles necessary for success:
1. Desire – a strong wish to achieve something meaningful
2. Faith – belief in oneself and in one’s goals
3. Expectation – confidence that success is possible
These ideas helped Kalam develop self-confidence and optimism.
Solomon believed that students should not be limited by their background or circumstances.
Instead, they should have the courage to dream big and work hard.
5. Development of Scientific Curiosity
During this period, Kalam’s interest in science and technology continued to grow.
He was especially fascinated by:
physics
engineering
the mechanics of flight
The dream of working with aircraft and aeronautics slowly began to take shape in his mind.
His curiosity about how machines work and how aircraft fly motivated him to pursue a career
related to science and engineering.
6. College Education
After completing his schooling, Kalam went to St. Joseph's College Tiruchirappalli to study
physics.
This was an important stage in his academic journey because it exposed him to new subjects,
ideas, and intellectual discussions.
At college, Kalam became more serious about his studies and began thinking about his future
career.
However, while studying physics, he realized that his real passion was not physics alone but
engineering—particularly aeronautical engineering.
This realization shaped the next major decision in his life.
7. Admission to Madras Institute of Technology
After completing his degree in physics, Kalam applied to the prestigious Madras Institute of
Technology to study aeronautical engineering.
Getting admission into MIT was a turning point in his life because it allowed him to pursue his
dream of working with aircraft.
However, there was a serious challenge.
The tuition fees were very high, and Kalam’s family could not afford them.
8. Sacrifice of His Sister
At this crucial moment, Kalam’s sister Zohara made a great sacrifice.
She mortgaged her jewelry in order to help Kalam pay the admission fees.
This act of love and sacrifice deeply moved Kalam.
He realized that:
his education was not only his own dream
it was also the hope and investment of his family
This strengthened his determination to work harder and justify the sacrifices made for him.
9. Early Challenges at MIT
When Kalam started studying at Madras Institute of Technology, he encountered a highly
competitive academic environment.
Students were expected to:
work extremely hard
complete difficult technical projects
demonstrate creativity and innovation
One incident in particular had a lasting impact on Kalam.
A professor assigned him a complex aircraft design project. When Kalam initially failed to
meet the expectations, the professor warned him that he might lose his scholarship if he did not
improve quickly.
This warning shocked Kalam and forced him to work day and night to complete the project
successfully.
Through intense effort and determination, he completed the project and earned the appreciation
of his professor.
This experience taught him:
the importance of discipline
the value of hard work
the necessity of meeting deadlines
10. Formation of a Clear Career Goal
By the end of this stage of his education, Kalam had developed a clear vision for his future.
He wanted to become:
an aeronautical engineer
a scientist working with aircraft or rockets
The dream that had begun with watching birds fly in his childhood was now turning into a
concrete career ambition.