On the eve of July 27th 2015, India’s very own Missile Man took off for his heavenly abode and left the entire nation mourning the loss of someone they had loved and adored—APJ Abdul Kalam. In the Indian land of diversity Kalam was one of those few political figures who was not only an epitome of knowledge but also one of India’s first pro-women politicians and one of India’s most loved people by common consensus. And the fact that he passed away in character—while in the midst of a lecture, while ‘igniting the minds’ of the young is probably a cue for us to take from the man’s inspiring life. Only recently A.P.J Abdul Kalam graced our list of the few Indian feminist men and today as we bid good bye to one of our finest educators, we at Be Beauiful, as a tribute to the man, curate a series of excerpts from his books, quotes and instances from his life that have and will keep us women kind inspired for generations to come. Take a look…
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On social issues

In his autobiography Wings of Fire, that he co-wrote with Arun Tiwari, A.P.J Abdul Kalam writes, “When it comes to burning social issues like those related to women, dowry, girl child and others, we make loud drawing room protestations and continue to do the reverse at home. Our excuse? ‘It’s the whole system which has to change, how will it matter if I alone forego my sons’ rights to a dowry.’ So who’s going to change the system?” he said.

On women in politics

At an interaction with the students of Avinashilingam University a student asked Kalam, “Hoping that the future first woman President is among us, what is your advice to us?” To which he said and we quote, “First, we must get 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament. Then you can become the President,” he said. “If women get into the Assembly, they would bring some order. We can also hope to see developmental politics instead of political politics if more women enter the scene.”

On women empowerment

“Empowering women is a prerequisite for creating a good nation, when women are empowered, society with stability is assured. Empowerment of women is essential as their value system leads to the development of a good family, society and ultimately a good nation.” Thus go one of the many quotes where Kalam advocates women empowerment.

Legend has it that when Dr. Kalam was at the Satya Sai Nigamagamam in Hyderabad in 2013 for a lecture on the ‘Role of women in forging a clean society,’ he ask a girl, who was there only to welcome him traditionally, to light the lamp and inaugurate the ceremony. He asserted the importance of a woman’s role in building the nation and urged the students to take oath to work at it.  “I ask the students to take an oath that they will work in their life to change the lives of at least 100 women by empowering them through education in different spheres of life,” he said.

On women’s role in a happy society

“Empowerment of women leads to development of a good family, good society and, ultimately, a good nation. When the woman is happy, the home is happy. When the home is happy, the society is happy and when the society is happy the state is happy and when the state is happy there will be peace in the country and it will develop at greater pace” said Kalam on the issue of women empowerment.

Picture credit- youthconnect.in