Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, treat scientist, mentor, president and one of our nation’s most beloved sons, has joined the pantheon of departed Indian greats. In tribute to the man and his memory, Streets offers you these words of inspiration uttered and written by him. May all of us live up to Dr. Kalam’s noble example.

• You have to dream before your dreams can come true.
• We will be remembered only if we give to our younger generation a prosperous and safe India, resulting out of economic prosperity coupled with civilisational heritage.
• Those who cannot work with their hearts achieve but a hollow, half-hearted success that breeds bitterness all around.
• Man needs his difficulties because they are necessary to enjoy success.
• Educationists should build the capacities of the spirit of inquiry, creativity, entrepreneurial and moral leadership among students and become their role model.
• Excellence is a continuous process and not an accident.
• Look at the sky. We are not alone. The whole universe is friendly to us and conspires only to give the best to those who dream and work.
• If a country is to be corruption free and become a nation of beautiful minds, I strongly feel there are three key societal members who can make a difference. They are the father, the mother and the teacher.
• My message, especially to young people is to have courage to think differently, courage to invent, to travel the unexplored path, courage to discover the impossible and to conquer the problems and succeed. These are great qualities that they must work towards. This is my message to the young people.
• Why be afraid of difficulties, sufferings and problems? When troubles come, try to understand the relevance of your sufferings. Adversity always presents opportunities for introspection.
• The sides of the mountain sustain life, not the peak. This is where things grow, experience is gained, and technologies are mastered. The importance of the peak lies only in the fact that it defines the sides.
• Within the mind are all the resources required for successful living. Ideas are present in the consciousness, which when released and given scope to grow and take shape, can lead to successful events.
• We are all born with a divine fire in us. Our efforts should be to give wings to this fire and fill the world with the glow of its goodness.