My message, especially to young people is to have courage to

The Call of the Brave Mind

Hear the voice of the wise — A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, the dreamer of India’s skies, the humble son of a fisherman who touched the stars. His words echo through the corridors of youth and time: “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.” Behold, this is not a mere exhortation. It is a commandment of the spirit, a call to rise above fear and conformity. For only those who dare to think differently can break the chains that bind humanity to mediocrity.

The Origin of the Message

These words were born not in comfort, but in struggle — forged in the heart of a man who walked barefoot on the sands of Rameswaram, who studied by the dim light of kerosene lamps, and who rose, through will alone, to become the Missile Man of India and the People’s President. Kalam spoke from experience, for his life was a testament to courage and invention. He had seen the impossible become possible through the power of thought — a thought that refuses to surrender. His message was not a sermon of hope alone, but a living truth: that courage is the fuel of creation.

The Flame of Courage

In every age, there are those who choose the well-trodden road — smooth, predictable, and safe — and those who step into the wilderness of the unknown. It is to the latter that Kalam’s words are given. The courage to travel the unexplored path is the mark of the true seeker, the one who walks not where others have walked, but where the soul commands. For innovation, like lightning, does not strike the timid heart. It chooses the one who dares to stand beneath the storm and raise the hand of defiance toward the heavens.

The Story of Wright and Flight

Remember the tale of Wilbur and Orville Wright, two humble bicycle makers who looked to the sky and dreamed of flight. The world mocked them, scholars dismissed them, and experts declared that man was not meant to soar. Yet the brothers, armed with courage to discover the impossible, built wings with their bare hands. On a cold December morning in 1903, they defied the gods of gravity — and the impossible bent before them. From their fragile machine was born the mighty age of flight, and the dream of mankind was unbound. This, O reader, is the power that Kalam speaks of — the triumph of will over doubt.

The Conquest of the Impossible

Kalam’s life, too, mirrors that same spirit. When India sought to join the nations of power through science, many said it could not be done. The resources were meager, the technology scarce. But under his guidance, the team of dreamers at ISRO and DRDO built what none thought possible — the SLV-3, India’s first satellite launch vehicle, and later the Agni and Prithvi missiles that gave the nation strength and self-reliance. Kalam showed that the impossible is not a wall, but a mirror that tests the soul. Those who dare to look into it find their true reflection — not as they are, but as they could be.

The Wisdom of Struggle

Kalam knew that success was not a gift of fortune but a victory over failure. “Courage to conquer problems,” he said — for problems are the grinding stones upon which greatness is sharpened. Every challenge, every fall, every disappointment is a divine test of perseverance. The youth who flees from struggle will never know the ecstasy of triumph. But the one who endures — who builds, who thinks, who refuses to yield — becomes a light for others. For courage does not mean absence of fear; it means mastery over it.

The Eternal Lesson

To those who walk the path of life, let Kalam’s message be etched in the heart: think differently, invent boldly, walk the unexplored path, discover the impossible, and conquer through courage. The world needs not followers, but creators; not those who complain, but those who craft new destinies. Do not seek comfort — seek meaning. Do not wait for permission — build your own wings.

The Call to Action

Rise, O youth of the Earth! Do not let your dreams wither in the silence of hesitation. Read, learn, and build with your own hands. When you meet a problem, greet it as an ally. When fear whispers that it cannot be done, remember Kalam — the boy who rose from the shores of Rameswaram to touch the edge of space. The future belongs to those who have the courage to imagine it. Let this be your vow: to live not as a shadow among others, but as a flame that lights the way for generations to come.